There are many ways to win an election, and honorable strategies do not always yield positive results. Sometimes the public needs a little help making the right decisions, and these games showcase a variety of manipulation methods that can be used to ensure a bright future for all. It is for the good of the people.
It probably goes without saying, but I'm obviously being sarcastic. Still, political sims can serve as educational tools that teach players the different ways they can be influenced by politicians or even the media. Crucially, these games are also a lot of fun, and they tackle this theme in unique ways (compared to each other).
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
Rig it
How to rig a whale
Now let's start with something completely different. Rig it is a simple browser game that speeds up a choice and goes through 5 steps along the way. At each point, players must make a series of decisions that define their identity as a politician, their strategy as a politician, and their success as a politician. Although not deep by any stretch of the imagination, Rig it highlights common manipulative strategies used by parties to influence voters, whether by publishing hit songs about their opposition or using social media posts as a modern form of propaganda.
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These games don't just give players a “good” and “bad” option. They will often present them with a deeper moral choice: survival or ethics?
Rig it was created in a collaboration between GLOBSEC (a global think tank), DROG (an organization to counter disinformation, and Gusmanson (a Dutch developer). This game is clearly intended to be educational, but achieves its goal while being relatively fun, or at least fun enough to warrant a few quick play sessions.
Not for broadcast
Check the information, check the voters
Although it is not directly about rigging an election, Not for Broadcast revolves entirely around manipulating the aftermath of an election. After an extreme government wins in a surprise landslide, you are put in charge of running the national newscast, and you decide what the public sees. If a politician says something embarrassing, you decide whether to censor or show it.
On the other side of the spectrum, you influence the reach of a resistance group that forms as the government becomes increasingly unhinged and dangerous. In addition to choosing what is broadcast, you also determine its presentation through camera angles that can flatter or undermine someone. Of course, all media companies must run ads to survive, and they may involve propaganda puffs that portray the ruling party in as positive a light as possible. Or you can go the other way and fan the flames of rebellion.
While most election/government themed games revolve around power, Not for Broadcast shines a brilliant light on the importance and impact of the media. Somehow the game manages to be both fun and scary at the same time.
Suzerain
A 4-year manipulation plan
Suzerain walks the line between a visual novel and a political sim; most of the game consists of reading text, but your choices not only matter, but also greatly affect the trajectory of the story. After a civil war, Anton Rayne steps in as elected president of Swordland, a 1950s country that takes its first stab at democracy. Anton has four years to make his mark, while he hopes to run for re-election. However, you may not play the second semester.
Depending on which direction you take, “manipulation” might be too harsh a word, but that's basically what you do all the time Suzerain. While the country has a constitution, it is incredibly partisan and designed to support the conservative old guard. As president you have to draft a new constitution, that's where the rigging really comes into play. Are you really going to try to create a proper democracy? Or will you set things up to ensure you stay in control in the future?
Suzerain allows you to use quite a few different methods of manipulation, most of which are reality-based. Things like changing the electoral threshold to ensure that minority parties have no chance of getting seats, or creating a puppet electoral system. You can even enter the country in an emergency, which is basically martial law.
Tropico series
El Presidente always acts in the best interests of his people
The whole series fits this topic, but let's just focus on Tropical 6 because it is the latest. Unlike SuzerainLimbic's political sim doesn't take itself too seriously, though it doesn't come at the expense of clever writing, social commentary and depth. El Presidente rules over the Caribbean island of Tropico, a role he humbly accepts out of pure love for his nation and its people.
Elections don't consume too much of your time as a leader, but they come up every two years, and they can catch you off guard if your approval rating is extremely low. If this happens, El Presidente may accept an opportunity to rig the election and gain a percentage of the vote. If you have like 5% approval, this manipulation won't make any difference. But in close races, rigging the pick will get you that. Be warned though, the people remember.
Alternatively, just declare martial law and not hold elections at all. After all, El President knows better than to leave such important matters to his adoring public.
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