Road to Power | Help Search Members Calendar |
Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register ) | Resend Validation Email |
kendg8r |
Posted: Mar 18 2006, 10:32 AM
|
Administrator Group: Admin Posts: 185 Member No.: 1 Joined: 17-December 04 |
General thrust of our approach to news
Like previous RTP games, Road to Power is a simulation of U.S. politics. However, we differ from games like the American Government Simulation in that we focus almost exclusively on the elections, and do not get bogged down in legislative and bureaucratic maneuvers. One downside to that exclusivity is that we do not generate our own news stories as readily as those other games do. Instead, we rely on current events for most of our activities, even if that requires a modest �time warp� effect (i.e., having a presidential election in the summer of 2006 instead of the fall of 2008). Overtime, the Administrator will insert news stories to shake up the election, including minor scandals and such. But players will rely on their own campaigns, and the news, to generate ideas and things to respond to. Actually, this is often easier than other simulations, as newcomers can join in with a minimal amount of acclimation to what is going on. Overview of where we are In Road to Power, George Bush is leaving the White House at a time of near-record low approval ratings, record deficits and debt, serious concerns about government mis-management and corruption, but has armed his party with incredibly strong organizational skills and micro-targeting techniques that outmatch anything the Democrats have. At the same time, Democratic leaders in Congress are seen as rudderless, as the debate over how to beat the Republicans politically ranges from ideological tweaking to organizational overhauls. The time is thus quite ripe for third-party candidates, if they are careful enough to appear both credible and authentically unconventional. In a recent poll, 26% of Americans believe the country is headed in the right direction. They also see the war in Iraq, the economy, and terrorism as the top 3 priorities of the federal government � while giving the Democrats a slight overall edge on handling these issues. Other areas of concern include healthcare, gas prices, and immigration; the topics of deficit spending, ethics reform and civil liberties (illegal wiretapping, Patriot Act, etc.) are also just below the surface. Notable divergence: The Patriot Act, in RTP, has only been temporarily extended. Feel free to debate the merits or flaws of the Patriot Act in your campaigns. Summary With two flawed political parties, and Americans looking for direction, this is just about anyone�s game now. The Road to Power is where politics and ambition collide, and the result won�t be pretty, but it will be fun. -------------------- Ken Kerns
Administrator, Road to Power AIM: ufdemocrat | Email: kernscorp@yahoo.com |