Politics: The Game

You've all probably thought about this a little bit. Playing video games you've said "I would have done this differently," or thought your favorite game was missing something pivotal. So, if you could make your own video game, what would it be like? What platform? Storyline? Online, or single player?

I'll be receiving my BA in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara in the Spring, so if I could harness the production budget and talent of a development company, I'd create Politics: The Game. Now, I know that the fascination with politics has subsided now that the hectic presidential election is over, but I still think it could be a good idea. You create your own politician, preferably with your personal political views, and you throw them into the political arena. Ideally, this would be a MMO title that would incorporate local and national politics, and maybe even throw in bureaucratic politics (somebody gets to be the head of the CIA, FBI, and such) and later international politics. Imagine being the Secretary of State and discussing treaties with France or a Middle Eastern country? It'd be pretty interesting, I think. Players could vote for who they want in power at any time, and would introduce/vote on legislation in their given political bodies. The supreme spot to get to, to "win" if such an end point could be given to a game like this, would be President. But then again, just as in real life, we'd see Senators and House members wielding a fair amount of power.

What strikes me about a potential game like this is its scope. Every time you sign into your email, Live, or PSN account you'll receive updates that legislation needs to be voted on, or you're being challenged for your Congressional seat, or even that war has broken out between your and another's country. It'd have to be a simple enough game that everyone could enjoy it, but it'd still have to have some production value, or otherwise it'd simply be a web game with nothing much to it. I'm sure many internet-minded companies would find some free marketing opportunities as well. What better way to spread the word about your ad agency online than by offering to create a political campaign poster for one of Politics: The Game's most well-known candidate for President? I think it could be a very interesting way for people to get involved in politics; and who knows, maybe our political leaders will even gain an insight into more common sense policies by looking to what happens in this game.

So, what game would you create?