The Political Machine 2012 Game Info

The Political Machine 2012 features updated political topics from across the United States. Issues such as Afghanistan, the economy, Obamacare, income inequality, gay rights, and the national debt have been integrated into the game’s election database. Regional issues such as “right to work”, state minimum wage, local environmental policies, farm subsidies and more require the candidate to walk a tight rope between appealing to the widest range of voters and appearing to “flip flop”. 

Players can run the campaign they want to see in The Political Machine 2012. Whether it's issue-focused or an out-and-out brawl, they get to set the tone as they try to sway voters. Candidates will fly to the state of their choice, where they can create an ad for newspaper, radio, or TV (helping to boost awareness of their stance on an issue), give a speech on the issue of their choice (with topics ranging from unemployment to video game violence), fundraise, build a headquarters (to help bring in money and build political capital), or lobby special interest groups. 

The game shows critical information such as electoral votes, your awareness level, and the top issues of that state to help guide your campaign. After you've decided on your candidate and opponent (or made your own), you start campaigning, with each turn representing a week. Every action in the game costs stamina (of which you have a limited amount per week) and cash, meaning players must decide on how best to use their resources.

Kids can learn about current events and the political process in this informative simulation/strategy game. The Political Machine 2012 focuses on the same issues dogging candidates for the presidency, ranging from the economy to defense to gay marriage. The option to run your campaign as you see fit gives players insight into how the election process works -- and the pros and cons of smear campaigns. By managing a campaign, kids simulate running for the presidency and explore campaign methods.