Politics Game?

[redshadow100]

I wouldn't mind seeing a game where you run a election campaign dirty or clean get into office and run a country your way, along with getting your cabinet together, bringing back disgraced politicians and dealing with the media.

[Weden]

Election campaigns are over-done, but country running sims are nowhere near as common.

That is the one game I will hunt, kill and eat for! I adore politics like... well, like I adore it. I get by on various crappy games on it (with 1 or 2 gems, eg. Particracy), but I want... nay, need a country-running sim by GDS.

I will help anyone who takes it up as much as possible... for my age, I know more than enough about politics. Ideologies, various historical items, leaders etc.

[Midnightnick]

Country Running Sims? That's a instant win. GDS, make this happen.

[redshadow100]

I was thinking that if you want to run the country then surely you'll have to have an election and if you don't win then there could be various things you can do such as scandals to damage the government and stuff like that so you have a different route you don't win the election, or could start out as a different position in government building your career to finally getting the top spot.

[Weden]

As I said, there are already tons of election campagin sims that are really getting old, but there are barely any (if there are any at all) country running sims. Dedicating time to the election campaign section would be a waste of time.

[redshadow100]

what sort of features would you like to see in this game if it where to happen Weden?

How many countries would be in it?
What sort of things can you do?
I wouldn't mind seeing it go quite in depth.

[Weden]

Considering the insane lawsuits that would likely appear, I would like a fully-customizable (so we can have peopleworking on real-world versions) fictional database of countries etc. to work with. Who doesn't love fictional stuff to add their own edge too?

I'd go into more detail (country ideas, suggestions for features etc.), but I can't be arsed at the moment :P

[jonlawson]

actually, this sounds like a great idea....GDS guys would prolly make the best "country running" sim out there I'm sure.

[painmantle]

Sounds to me like your describing Sid Meiers 'civilazition"

[SWIFT]

Civilization is a good game...but, as for this politics/government game: If dictatorships, government conspiracies, and movements to over throw the country are, then I say go for it.

There could be a feature at the beginning where you can either play the game as is, or set up everything how you like...I would love to take over--er, run the US in post-apocolypic* times.

...yes. Fun indeed.

[Dawgfan]

I think this is a great idea. Some suggestions if you don't mind:
1) Be able to make a daily decision, that decision can effort the country down the road. Or shape the world.
2) Have all countries in the world, events that happen shape the world.
3) If you have a election, get into it. All areas, even debates.
4) Deplomacy that shapes the world.
5) Congress and the Senate produce bills and refs, that shape events, President could veto.
6) Talk show interviews, and snafu's.

If you don't win the election, as someone said, have them start in the House, then move up to the senate, and then campaign for the White House.

Not sure how or where to start. There once was a game about 25 years ago, maybe 30 on Apple computer that involved world diplomacy, can't remember the name, but it was really deep.

I too, love politics and all the political games out there are really shallow. If you can make this game deep, really deep, with all the action in the world... like reading a newspaper and then developing policy that effects the country and the world would be great.

I liked the idea of starting in the house, working up to the senate, then to the white house, and after that maybe go to UN, or taking on a job as an ambassador or something.

Just my two cents.

[mikey1294]

I like the idea of the game. Has anyone played superpower. I think thats what it is called. I liked that game it just didn't go in depth enough.

[Nedew]

Dawgfan... surely a system that is a bit more popular in the world would be more effective at conveying a democratic system rather than one that's used in only one country in the entire planet?

I'm more than aware that Seppo's don't really understand many things outside their borders, but there are various other systems (or even a choice of regime style once you attain power for the game?) in existance.

[redshadow100]

I think Dawgfan was just using that as an example, i bet most people wouldn't mind a crack at sorting out the middle east??

[Dawgfan]

I suppose the hot button right now is the middle east, 20 years ago it was the Cold War. There will always be a hot spot, Nicarugua was hot during the Reagan administration, and of course there was Viet Nam. Each era has its own, so clearing up the middle east falls under that tent. However, there are other issues like Global Warming, Immigration, Terrorists, and I'm not going to get into Religion which was the cause of many wars over the centuries. Nationally we have election reform, energy, health care, gay marriage, outsourcing of jobs, the growth of China (militarily & encomically). Then you have Latin America, South American, Africa. I just think a game that allows you to form policy, either through House & Senate, or the Presidentency, and or through the UN, would be a great game. Plus deplomacy with other countries, whether through policy, assasination, covert action, or whatever. The ramification for each action has its price. Of course if you chose to assasinate someone, you'd better have good protection yourself. Each action, there is a reaction. Just be nice to have a good deep game.

[Dawgfan]

I forgot to mention trade agreements with different countries, political agreements, embargos, tariffs, ....stuff like that.

For an example: Boeing sells planes, and competes with Air Bus. Computer makers; farming, pharmacuticals (sp), telecommunications the whole deal.

Each company competes for trade, and of course there are trade regulations by each country. Wages, cost of materials, shipping. The whole deal.

Each country has its own stuff it sells, and each country has stuff it needs. All under the umbrella of government regulations and standards.

Policy by a government, effects world trade. Unstable countries cause prices to fluxuate. If you were making policy, it would shape the world. If you were the President, or a US Congressman, or Senator you have to please the people who vote you in office. And as President, you can overthrow a country, or cripple it through sanctions, or bomb the **** out of them.

Just a though.

[Dawgfan]

I forgot trade agreements, and political agreements. Each country sells stuff it produces, and each country imports stuff it needs. Through trade agreements, and politcal agreements it shapes world policy. As the head of a country, you could trade with one country and place an embargo on another not favorably to your countries needs, and vice versa. As a president, or congressman, or senator you still have to please the voters who vote you in. And of course you have to raise money for a campaign. The deeper the better.

Just a thought

[SaySo]

There is a game i played a while back ago during the dos days. It was called Shadow President. That game was awesome, considering i was only 12 when i played it.

[redshadow100]

I mean you'd have to do some research on the governments of each country, for example countries like Italy and Germany have a coalition system so if you get elected you then have to negotiate with other parties to form a government so that might be fun.

[percussionist]

I would love to see an updated version of Shadow President.

Obviously, the game wouldn't be literally an updated version of SP, but my dream political sim would START with pretty much everything it has. Then you add.


*Ability to play as ANY nation
*Over time, events changing national boundaries and/or names...control over certain ares
*Much more in-depth on stuff happening in your country, which effects how the rest of the world perceives it
*All-around more options and interaction

[TC Dale]

I am surprised Randy Chase hasn't stopped in and talked. He makes a decent game, and would be someone that could really tweak these ideas into something new and different.

[redshadow100]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Government

I found this link just to show a little bit of research into the government systems within different countries, i used usa as an example. this is the sort of stuff that'll have to looked into for the game. Good to see this getting alot of response, it seems its a game a few people would like.

[Nedew]

I would love to see an updated version of Shadow President.

There is a sequel called CyberJudas, though it's still for sale yet ridiculously hard to find. It was released in 1997 (or 95, can't quite remember), so you're basically tracking a 9 year old game. If you find it avaliable somewhere... puh-LEASE tell me. Thankee.

[Goldberg]

Superpower II is about international trade and diplomacy. It's a good game.

Prime Minister Forever, Chancelor Forever, and President Forever from www.80soft.com are probably the best election games and can be customized so easily by anyone. Great way to learn about other countries political systems. By far the best election games - and I've played them all.

Democracy from www.positech.co.uk puts you in charge of one of 12 countries and you must run its affairs - and you must check your approval rating or you won't be re-elected. I now understand why our governments have become so huge with government programs - the left is kept happy with social programs and corporate control (like environment) and the right with corporate programs and social control (like more police survailiance) - but as a Libertarian, I found reducing the size of the government simply led to my never winning a d*mn re-election! LOL.

[redshadow100]

This message goes to the "Powers That Be" here on the greydogsoftware forums about the possibility of this Politics game, i've created a document with ideas, possibilities that this game could be made, so if there is a chance this game will get made pm me and i'll send you file because of the response from my post its a deep game that people would like to see made.

[JHopkins19]

Just wanted to bump this topic as it would be a great game if properly done. Did any of you guys play a game called World War III or something like that on dreamcast....it was all about running a country, deploying your forces, making trade agreements, etc.

A tad unrealistic though when Brazil invaded and conquered the US, haha.

[Jestor]

Just wanted to bump this topic as it would be a great game if properly done. Did any of you guys play a game called World War III or something like that on dreamcast....it was all about running a country, deploying your forces, making trade agreements, etc.

A tad unrealistic though when Brazil invaded and conquered the US, haha.


You're thinking of The Third World War on Sega CD, not Dreamcast.

Brilliant game and I played it a ton, mostly as Israel for some strange reason. :D

[redshadow100]

There's alot of things that can be done with it, as I said in a previous post you could start off in a lowly position in government and work your way up or start off with the top job?

[noas5]

Shadow President & its sequel, Cyber Judas are excellent games on this suggestion. I have both, but sadly I now have an XP system and they do not run on it. I still keep them in case I ever find an old 98 laying around.
I would pay $50 for the sim if GDS would make it.

[JHopkins19]

Noas,
knew with was something like that, thanks for the reminder!

Also, it looks like you can download Shadow President here, for only $4. Maybe its beena dapted to be able to play on an XP? I would try it out, but I just picked up NCAA 07 and think that will hold my attention for awhile.

http://free-game-downloads.mosw.com/abandonware/pc/simulations/games_s/shadow_president.html

[Undertaker666]

Noas,
knew with was something like that, thanks for the reminder!

Also, it looks like you can download Shadow President here, for only $4. Maybe its beena dapted to be able to play on an XP? I would try it out, but I just picked up NCAA 07 and think that will hold my attention for awhile.

http://free-game-downloads.mosw.com/abandonware/pc/simulations/games_s/shadow_president.html

Why pay $4 when you can get it for free?! http://www.abandonia.com/games/579/download/ShadowPresident.htm :D

Some great places for downloading classic games are www.abandonia.com , www.abandoneer.com and www.classic-gaming.net

As for running them in XP, I use DosBox which runs DOS games under XP, you have to play around with some settings (like framerate skips and such) to make it run smoothly for your system but i've never had any problems with the games I've played using it. On www.abandonia.com on the left hand menu where it says Utilities > Programs, click on that and it'll take you to a page where you can download DosBox.

Floor 13 (also on www.abandonia.com) is a game I used to play and still do occasionally to this day. You're in charge of a special department for the prime minister and you have to tail, interrogate, eliminate people etc. plus infiltrate organisations to keep scandals out of the newspapers which might affect your party's position in the polls.

[redshadow100]

thanks for these sites, been playing games I remeber from ages ago!! Played Floor 13 enjoyed, especially when I went too far with the interegation and killed them!! is there still interest in this politics game I suggested?

[JHopkins19]

Thanks for the site undertaker. Quick question, where can I find the answers to the question prompt when I boot the game up? Thanks...

[Undertaker666]

Thanks for the site undertaker. Quick question, where can I find the answers to the question prompt when I boot the game up? Thanks...

You don't have to answer the question do you? You just press Enter if memory serves (haven't played it in ages to be honest). If that doesn't work then a quick search on Google will probably give you the answer.

Any games that i've tried off Abandonia that have a similiar copy protection (such as the fabulous Master of Orion) usually have a file included with them (and is usually mentioned on the download page), whether it be a picture or a text file.

(note to anyone who thinks this all illegal, it's not, you can only download games which are no longer available to buy. For example, some of the games on Abandonia you can't download and are only listed for reference due to them still bein for sale somewhere)

[JHopkins19]

Undertaker, I think you're right, I can load the game and then I just press enter when it asks for the answer to that question. Then the game loads and music starts playing. But then it just seems to freeze (thats why i thought I needed the answer to the question) Does that occur b\c of what you mentioned in needing to fiddle with frame rates. etc? I'm not sure how to do that...

[Undertaker666]

Undertaker, I think you're right, I can load the game and then I just press enter when it asks for the answer to that question. Then the game loads and music starts playing. But then it just seems to freeze (thats why i thought I needed the answer to the question) Does that occur b\c of what you mentioned in needing to fiddle with frame rates. etc? I'm not sure how to do that...

I take it you're using DosBox to run it? This is what I do (these steps assume you've got Shadow President installed in C:\Shadow)

1. Load DosBox
2. (see Note below first) Press CTRL+F8 (you'll notice in the blue bar at the top where it says DosBox CPU Cycles etc. that the number next to Frameskip goes up 1 each time you press CTRL+F8)
3. Type in "mount c c:\shadow" (without the quotation marks) and press Enter.
4. Type in "cd c:\shadow" (without the quotation marks) and press Enter.
5. Type in "Shadow" (without the quotation marks) and press Enter
6. Press Enter at the question that pops up and it should run fine.

Note for point no.2: The number of times you need to press CTRL+F8 will vary from system to system dependant on how powerful it is. The easiest way I found to see how many frameskips I needed was to play an mp3 before you load DosBox, when DosBox loads you should hear your mp3 skipping, press CTRL+F8 until the mp3 plays as it normally would. (it's usually between 3 and 6 frameskips for me, depending on what game i'm going to play). Then close your mp3 and goto step 3.

If you're still having trouble or I haven't been clear just let me know. :)

(and if you didn't know, ALT+Enter turns DosBox into full screen - this can seriously put a strain on your system though)

[JHopkins19]

Well I thought I had dosbox, but apparentyly I had a different dos emulator that didn't work very well. I downloaded doxbox and have the game in the shadow directory....however when I type in "mount c c:\shadow like you said, dosbox says the directory doesn't exist?

Nevermind, if I drag the shadow file into a shortcut to dosbox on my desktop it works...thanks for your help!

[Undertaker666]

Well I thought I had dosbox, but apparentyly I had a different dos emulator that didn't work very well. I downloaded doxbox and have the game in the shadow directory....however when I type in "mount c c:\shadow like you said, dosbox says the directory doesn't exist?

Nevermind, if I drag the shadow file into a shortcut to dosbox on my desktop it works...thanks for your help!

It might say directory doesn't exist because I missed a crucial step - whoops! I've redone the steps on my original post in case anyone else needs it.

Glad to hear you've got it working though! :)

[sickboy13]

I'd buy it.

[Hughesy]

I like the idea of the game. Has anyone played superpower. I think thats what it is called. I liked that game it just didn't go in depth enough.

Yeah, I've got SuperPower 2. Very good game, although a bit buggy and the military system is a little basic.

Played a fantastic politics game demo about a year ago which is exactly what some of the people on here are after. Only trouble is I can't for the life of me rememeber what it was called. I'll do a few searches and see if I can find it again.

[Hughesy]

Found it. Called Democracy.

http://www.democracygame.com/ (http://www.democracygame.com)

Well worth downloading the demo.