Politics

Political simulations seem to be all the rage at the moment. Geo-political Simulator is a new kid on the block, due to be released in the second quarter of 2008:

Geo-Political Simulator, aka G.P.S., is an economic and geopolitical simulator game for PC.

Far from being just a name, G.P.S is an ambitious and unique project in its own right, offering an extremely thorough and realistic simulation of the planet, at all levels: politics, the economy, environment, the military, science, culture, religion…

G.P.S, is also a constantly evolving product controlled by a team of dedicated developers and specialists. Its purpose is to always offer top notch simulation, notably including regularly updated data, and also to develop new scenarios taking into account the planet’s geopolitical evolution and upheavals.

G.P.S is a software package created by the French company Eversim, specialized in the development of online simulation games in a persistent setting. The company was founded in February 2004 by the former heads of Silmarils, a video game publisher which released over thirty products between 1987 and 2003. For further information, feel free to check its website by clicking the following link: www.eversim.com

Inspired by information TV programs with multiple windows, scrolling ticker tapes, ID cards for countries and personalities, etc.

All items are in 3D, notably the world map with topography, cities, regions, borders, territorial waters, etc. The world map can be displayed as flat or in globe form, full-screen or zoomed to a high level of detail. There are many display modes, based on theme or strategic and economic alliances.

Finally, the game features a printed weekly published every Monday, enabling the player to be informed of the major events occurring all over the planet.

Ars Regendi is a relatively new online Political and Economic sim. It’s like a thinned down version of Civilisation for your browser.

Launched in December, 2007, it already has some 3,500 members. Here’s a description from the site:

Ars Regendi is a browser-based political game that lets you take the reigns of your own, realistically simulated state. You will be asked to weigh in on various matters of state and - faced with a number of choices - any decision you make will have ramifications for the well-being of your virtual populace! In addition, you will be able to form alliances with other countries, initiate reforms and adjust the budget. Ars Regendi is a highly realistic and complex economic simulation that squares you off against other state leaders and puts your political and financial abilities to the test. But beware – running a country is not as easy as you might think and if you don’t measure-up, you could find yourself out-of-office pretty soon!

It looks pretty good. It says “Basic” membership is free, although I couldn’t find any reference to a “premium” service on the site.

Theory Spark has released the latest in their line of political simulations - President Forever 2008 + Primaries.

It’s 2008. The fate of the nation is now in your hands with the most sophisticated political game yet! President Forever 2008 + Primaries.

Are you ready to become the most powerful political leader in the world? Prove it in this definitive political election game.
President Forever 2008 + Primaries is the most in-depth, intense political election game ever made. Using realistic electorate modeling techniques, an unprecedented number of options, and detailed candidates, this is big time!

President Forever 2008 + Primaries includes the following elections data: 2008, 2004, 2000. These elections include both the primaries and general election phases of the campaigns. 1992, 1980, and 1960 will be available free to owners of President Forever 2008 + Primaries as AutoUpdates, as they become available.