The Election Game (1983)

by Nish
5 minutes read

Summary

The Election Game (1983): A Strategic Simulation of British Politics

Released in 1983, The Election Game is a political strategy game that simulates a General Election campaign in the United Kingdom. The game was developed by Micro Power and published by Thorn EMI, and was available on the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and BBC Micro computers.

The Election Game is notable for its realistic and detailed simulation of the British electoral system. Players take on the role of one of four political parties, and must campaign for votes in 60 constituencies across the UK. The game takes into account a variety of factors that can affect the outcome of an election, such as the popularity of the party leader, the party’s policies, and the amount of money spent on campaigning.

The game begins with each player receiving £8,000. Players must then visit as many constituencies as possible and spend money on campaigning. The amount of money spent on campaigning will affect the number of votes that the party receives in that constituency.

After all of the players have visited all of the constituencies, the election results are calculated. The party with the most votes wins the election and forms the government.

The Election Game is a challenging and engaging strategy game that provides a realistic simulation of the British electoral system. The game is also a lot of fun to play, and it can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Gameplay

The Election Game is played on a map of the UK. The map is divided into 60 constituencies, each of which is represented by a pie chart. The pie chart shows the percentage of votes that each party has received in that constituency.

Players take turns visiting constituencies and spending money on campaigning. The amount of money that a player can spend on campaigning is limited by the amount of money that they have in their campaign fund.

The amount of money that a player spends on campaigning will affect the number of votes that the party receives in that constituency. The more money that a player spends, the more votes the party will receive. However, spending too much money can also lead to diminishing returns.

After all of the players have visited all of the constituencies, the election results are calculated. The party with the most votes wins the election and forms the government.

Winning the Game

There are a number of factors that can affect the outcome of an election in The Election Game. These factors include:

  • The popularity of the party leader
  • The party’s policies
  • The amount of money spent on campaigning
  • The number of votes that the party receives in each constituency

In order to win the election, players must carefully consider all of these factors and make strategic decisions about how to campaign.

Legacy

The Election Game was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its realism, detail, and fun gameplay. The game has been credited with helping to raise awareness of the British electoral system and has been used by political scientists to study the dynamics of election campaigns.

The Election Game is still considered to be one of the best political strategy games ever made. The game is a testament to the skill and creativity of its developers, and it continues to be enjoyed by gamers today.

Tips for Playing The Election Game

Here are a few tips for playing The Election Game:

  • Start by visiting the constituencies that are most likely to vote for your party.
  • Spend money on campaigning in the constituencies that you are most likely to win.
  • Don’t spend too much money in any one constituency.
  • Keep an eye on the other players and their campaign strategies.
  • Be prepared to adjust your strategy as the game progresses.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to master The Election Game and lead your party to victory!

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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