Suggestion for Patch/Expansion/Sequel

from PolMach Forums
This game, although fun, needs something to up the ante, and add a new level of challenge. My suggestion for a Patch/Sequel/Expansion to "The Political Machine" would be the introduction of third party candidates, and new political parties. I get excited imagining the challenge of running as Ralph Nader, or creating my own Green or Libertarian candidates.
This would add a whole new dimension to the game, and add so many more of my play hours invested into the game!
Please consider this as a suggestion to implement in the near future.
13,390 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I would like to see a version of "The Political Machine" where state and local elections are involved. You can run for mayor, House of Representative, Senator, Governor, or Lt. Governor.

At the beginning, you would select the state of your choice. Then you can declare that you are running for office as a Gov, Senator, Congressman, or Mayor.

If your running for Senator or Governor you'd then would be running for the entire state. For Congressman, you'd be running in that district. And for Mayor you'd be running for the community.

You would have the option of running as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or run on a non-partisan ticket (i.e. Mayor).

Please consider this as a suggestion to implement in the future.

I would also like to see "The Political Machine" start getting candidates for '08. For both President and Congress.
Reply #2 from PolMach Forums Top
If you want to consider realism at all, then third party candidates would have little impact except in rare instances to steal enough support from one of the major candidates to push the election to their opponent.
I'm all for a third party to make their push, but they need to pay their dues at the grassroots level first. They haven't even made a real push to get members of congress in, so why should they expect support come presidential election time. We have two independents in the senate now, but neither came from a third party. The greens have 35 candidates elected in the whole country with none at higher than a county official level. Libertarians had more candidates running, but call getting 20% in an election a victory.
DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from PolMach Forums Top
Yeah, I definately believe they should start from the ground up. A Green mayoral candidate for San Francisco (I believe) Matt Gonzalez lost the race at like 48% of the vote, pretty good considering he was outspent 10/1.
In California this past year, some Green candidates put the most effort into getting into the Senate/House than they've ever previously done before by beginning to run TV and Radio ads.
Also, didn't a Libertarian get like 11% of the vote for Senate/House in one of the southern states?
Still, I would love to play as either of those two and more in the sequel.
Heck, they can go the extra mile and make a "Create Your Own Party" option.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
I would like an aspect of actually serving your term in office. Can you follow up on your promises? Did they vote for the right wo/man?

Will you do a good enough job to get re-elected!

That's what I want.
Reply #5 from PolMach Forums Top
First off, great game!

How about: debates, scandals, solicitation of corporate money (fundraising could be divided into large-donor and small-donor contributions. Perhaps the donors might require you to take uncomforatble stands on certain issues, and too much corporate $$ might hurt your credibility), photo-ops.

And more of the same, as in more historical campaigns, more unlockable candidates, etc.
Reply #6 from PolMach Forums Top
I too would love to see some third party support. I think it would make the game extremely challenging. For one thing it would be very difficult to raise money or get invites to tv shows. But maybe there would be an increase in the amount of "good" chance events happening to you.

And for all the nay-sayers that claim third parties aren't viable candidates, that simply isn't true. The problem is in how the system and the media are set up to favor to two major parties. If the system were fair then third parties would have a better shot. That said third parties are still viable, especially when approval ratings of congress are in the single digits, and the presidency isn't much better. People want something different and third party candidates offer that to them.
Reply #7 from PolMach Forums Top
I would like to see a version of "The Political Machine" where state and local elections are involved. You can run for mayor, House of Representative, Senator, Governor, or Lt. Governor.At the beginning, you would select the state of your choice. Then you can declare that you are running for office as a Gov, Senator, Congressman, or Mayor.If your running for Senator or Governor you'd then would be running for the entire state. For Congressman, you'd be running in that district. And for Mayor you'd be running for the community.You would have the option of running as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or run on a non-partisan ticket (i.e. Mayor).Please consider this as a suggestion to implement in the future.I would also like to see "The Political Machine" start getting candidates for '08. For both President and Congress.


Something like this is exactly what the game needs. The current campaign is OK, but running for president over and over is kinda the same after a while. An expansion campaign that starts you at the local level and you need to win at each level to advance, finally culminating in the presidential election, would be an outstanding game in my opinion. I'd certainly buy it.

Third party for me is just meh. I don't think it would add much to the current game at all.