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Author Topic: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!  (Read 2558 times)

alway

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #15 on: April 19, 2011, 08:54:40 pm »

The problem with democracy games is the more democracy you have, the less potential for fun the player has. Essentially it involves decreasing both the control and power of the player in a way which only makes sense when those who take up those responsibilities are actual people, not RNG AI. A multiplayer democracy game could be fun. A singleplayer one would probably get very frustrating very quickly due to the limitations of game AI being very obvious in situations which at their very core are based on the way humans think and act. Especially since most players would not act like your typical IRL ruler due to the natural risk/reward skewing of video games. Most people want action and intrigue in their games, not political demagoguery towards an imaginary public.

Just look at Obama's job. He little power over the government as a whole due to checks and balances (although some aren't exactly in a balanced state), he makes a few decisions, gives speeches which are almost all written by someone else, and if he did go nuts and do crazy stuff for the lulz he would be locked up before almost any harm was done. In a game, players generally want as much control as they can get, don't want an RNG interfering with their plans, and want to be able to go absolutely batsh*t insane for the lulz when they get bored. And they sure as hell don't want to have to do grandstanding for 2 years to pass something as mundane as healthcare reform for an imaginary group of people.
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mainiac

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #16 on: April 19, 2011, 10:15:59 pm »

Except the historical evidence shows that presidents do actually have an enormous amount of power.  Else why would very different presidents have very different policies?  In most democracies, the executive has a lot of leeway in foreign policy and has a lot of political capitol to control domestic policy.  Yes, democracies don't often have planned economies, but presidents can still pull all kind of shenanigans.
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Ancient Babylonian god of RAEG
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« Last Edit: February 10, 1988, 03:27:23 pm by UR MOM »
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Neonivek

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #17 on: April 19, 2011, 11:00:53 pm »

Well don't forget that Democracy is all about misinformation and subterfuge.

In some countries they have sham democracy.
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mainiac

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #18 on: April 19, 2011, 11:05:12 pm »

Noooooooooo really?
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Ancient Babylonian god of RAEG
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"Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget and I will tell you what you value"
« Last Edit: February 10, 1988, 03:27:23 pm by UR MOM »
mainiac is always a little sarcastic, at least.

Neonivek

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #19 on: April 20, 2011, 12:37:22 am »

Noooooooooo really?

Huh? I was speaking of America.

Ok not really... well ok really... actually it is iffy...

Remember that a Democracy thrives upon media control. A lot of a game about democracy should be entirely about altering the information people recieve.

Then again just about any government runs on media control. The difference is that Democracy has to be a bit more subtle.

Plus another aspect of Democracy is that your other goal is to plant ways to gain power even when your not in office. For example the House of Commons in Canada
« Last Edit: April 20, 2011, 01:12:31 am by Neonivek »
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Max White

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #20 on: April 20, 2011, 01:41:15 am »

Realistically, Liberal crime squad is the more accurate portrayal of Democracy in a game ever.

Neonivek

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #21 on: April 20, 2011, 01:43:01 am »

Realistically, Liberal crime squad is the more accurate portrayal of Democracy in a game ever.

I don't know there was this war game where you could be as much of a heartless bastard as you wanted... EXCEPT when there were cameras around, which at that point you had to suddenly pretend your the toothfairy of happyness.

Oddly enough I don't think it was a satire.

Goodness you could make an ENTIRE game out of controlling information during a war.

MIND you the game is dated because the current "pool" tecnique is much more effective
« Last Edit: April 20, 2011, 01:57:37 am by Neonivek »
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Max White

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #22 on: April 20, 2011, 01:57:15 am »

Goodness you could make an ENTIRE game out of controlling information during a war.

Would the title of this game be 'Nazi propaganda machine'?

Neonivek

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #23 on: April 20, 2011, 01:59:31 am »

Goodness you could make an ENTIRE game out of controlling information during a war.

Would the title of this game be 'Nazi propaganda machine'?

Oddly enough... No it wasn't.

It was a real time strategy game where your resources are linked to the approval ratings for the war itself.
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Max White

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #24 on: April 20, 2011, 02:08:33 am »

There we go, seems you have an idea for such a game.
Please, share your thoughts, unless you do not want to, then for god sake keep it to yourself.

Neonivek

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #25 on: April 20, 2011, 02:09:49 am »

There we go, seems you have an idea for such a game.
Please, share your thoughts, unless you do not want to, then for god sake keep it to yourself.

I thought I have been... >_>
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Servant Corps

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Re: Representing Democracy In Video Games---HELP!
« Reply #26 on: April 20, 2011, 02:58:23 pm »

I remember hearing of that game too being reviewed. A quick search reveals the name of the game to be "Joint Task Force". (The preview mentions the approval rating mechanic in detail.)
« Last Edit: April 20, 2011, 03:00:46 pm by Servant Corps »
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