Demo The Political Machine Express for free

by: Randy - posted: 9/18/2008 12:24:00 AM

So maybe The Political Machine sounds like the Oregon Trail except it's on the campaign trail ... and there's a distinct lack of dysentery and buffalo meat.  I can't blame you if the $19.95 still sounds steep.  I mean, tax cuts, economic stimulus packages, and housing finance reform -- this is not the stuff of videogames.  Fair enough.  But developer Stardock hasn't given up on your education aversion yet.  For free, you can download The Political Machine Express, which is minus some key features like updates that sync with the political landscape (i.e., the addition of Palin and Biden), randomized issues, or things like racing against Washington or Lincoln.  But The Political Machine Express does include a print shop which lets you create your own bobble heads (sorry, Dwight Schrute isn't a candidate), campaign pins, and bumper stickers that you can print out on your home printer.  Hey!  No one said you actually have to get out and vote, so the free trial's safe. 

These 12 screenshots will clue you in on what you're getting into:

‘The Political Machine Express’: A Free Strategy Game for the Campaign Season

 

- Stardock’s Free Political Strategy Game Gives Players a Chance to Run the Obama or McCain Campaigns -

 

PLYMOUTH, MI – September 17, 2008 – Stardock announced The Political Machine Express today, a free version of its runaway political simulation hit for the PC, The Political Machine 2008. The free strategy game from the creators of the Galactic Civilizations and Sins of a Solar Empire series puts players in the role of the campaign manager of either John McCain or Barack Obama in a quest to win the White House. The game has been updated to feature vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin and is now available via Stardock’s digital download platform, Impulse (www.impulsedriven.com) or on the game’s Web site, www.politicalmachine.com/express.

 

Players play on the electoral map of the United States with the goal to gain the 270 electoral votes necessary to win the election. Players get 21 weeks (approximately the time candidates have between the primary season and the general election) to make speeches, raise money, buy advertisements, hire political operatives, appear on cable TV shows in order to woo voters to their side.

 

Political Machine Express also includes a print shop which allows players to create their own bobble heads, campaign pins and bumper stickers and print them out on their home printer.

 

The game requires a Windows PC running either Windows XP or Windows Vista along with an Internet connection. Players can play against either the computer or other people via the Internet. The game includes Impulse, Stardock's free digital distribution platform that allows for multiplayer matchmaking, free updates, and access to hundreds of games and software applications.

 

The Political Machine Express is based on Stardock's hit new strategy game, The Political Machine 2008 which is available at most retail outlets or online for $19.95.

 

Visit www.politicalmachine.com/express to download the free version.

 

About Stardock

Stardock is one of the world’s leading developers and publishers of PC games and desktop software.  Its PC games include Sins of a Solar Empire, the highest rated and best selling PC strategy game of 2008 as well as the critically acclaimed Galactic Civilizations series. Its desktop software includes Object Desktop, WindowBlinds, and a host of other programs for customizing the Windows experience. Learn more about Stardock by visiting www.stardock.com.