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Democracy
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{{Infobox VG |title= Democracy |image= Democracy Coverart.png |caption= |developer= [[Positech Games]] |publisher= [[Positech Games]], [[Red Marble Games]], [[Tri-Synergy]] |distributor= |designer= |series= |engine= |version= |released= '''''Democracy'''''<br>'''Positech Games'''<br>April 17, 2005<br>'''Tri-Synergy'''<br>{{vgrelease|NA=2007}}<br><br>'''''Democracy 2'''''<br>'''Positech Games'''<br>December 7, 2007 |genre= [[Government simulation game|Government simulation]] |modes= Single player |ratings= |platforms= [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Apple Macintosh]] |media= |requirements= |input= [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]] }} '''''Democracy''''' is a [[government simulation game]] that was first developed by [[Positech Games]] in 2005, with a sequel released in December 2007. The player plays as if he is the [[president]] or [[prime minister]] of a democratic government. The player must introduce and alter policies in seven areas - tax, economy, welfare, foreign policy, transport, law and order and public services. Each policy has an effect on the happiness of various voter groups, as well as affecting factors such as crime and air quality. The player has to deal with "situations", which are typically problems such as petrol protests or homelessness, and also has to make decisions on dilemmas that arise each turn. ==Gameplay== After deciding which nation to play as, the player must win the support of various [[Political factions|factions]] which make up the [[constituency|electorate]], including the religious, [[patriotism|patriot]]s, parents, [[Capitalism|capitalists]], [[Socialism|socialists]], [[Liberalism|liberals]], [[Conservatism|conservatives]] and others, and thus win the ensuing elections that take place. The player introduces policies and uses sliders to change the amount of government funding, level of a [[tax]] or generally the law and regulations in that particular area. Of course, because each individual person belongs to several factions (e.g: a Poor Conservative Smoker who is a Patriot or a Rich, Socialist person who is also a Drinker), it is practically impossible to control all the voters. Before each [[general election]], two promises are made by the player to the electorate (e.g: reduce [[unemployment]] by 10%). If the player has not kept these promises by the next election, the people become annoyed and [[cynicism]] increases. To make policy changes, the player must spend political capital, which is generated by loyal ministers. The player must also try to balance the [[budget]] and pay off the [[Government debt|country's debts]] without losing votes and causing [[tax evasion]] due to very high taxes. There are also many events, dilemmas and situations in the game which the player must deal with. An example of an event might be the curing of a disease, a dilemma may be who to appoint as a senior judge and a situation may be high levels of [[pollution]]. An event happens, sometimes due to policies but the player doesn't take part, he/she just profits or suffers from it. A dilemma is an important decision which must be resolved for the turn to be ended and situations are ongoing conditions which must be dealt with or helped and enjoyed. ==Modding== The games designer has described the code behind the game as being based on a [[neural network]]. This has allowed the game to be very easily modded, and most of the 'game logic' in it is openly editable in simple text [[Comma-separated values|CSV]] files, allowing players to change the way the core mechanics of the game operate. A number of mods have been released for both the first and second game in the series, and are generally released on the Positech forum. Mods have included new countries (and real countries for ''Democracy 2'') and the addition of factors such as inflation, as well as enhancement of the voter cynicism factor in ''Democracy 2''. ==Reception== ''Democracy'' is an unusually successful 'indie' game, in that it has sold well despite being made by just one individual as opposed to a large team. Website Game Tunnel scored the game 8/10 overall, stating "losing a game of ''Democracy'' is almost as rewarding as winning your next election" and "there is always the motivation to do better next time".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gametunnel.com/gamespace.php?id=74&tab=3 | title = Review by Game Tunnel | author = Voss, Moritz | publisher = Game Tunnel | date = 2005-07-09 | accessdate = 2007-05-15 }}</ref> The website also awarded ''Democracy'' its own 2005 'Simulation Game of the Year' award.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://gametunnel.com/articles.php?id=400 | title = 2005 Sim Game of the Year by Game Tunnel | author = Carroll, Russell | publisher = Game Tunnel | date = 2005-12-13 | accessdate = 2007-05-15 }}</ref> [[About.com]] rated the game 3.5/5 and said "''Democracy'' does exactly what it sets out to do - get you thinking about how even small changes effect (sic) different groups of people".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://compsimgames.about.com/od/gamereviews/gr/democracy.htm | title = "Democracy" Review | author = Marchelletta, Courtney | publisher = [[About.com]] | accessdate = 2007-05-15 }}</ref> The game was released in 2007 in the United States by [[Tri-Synergy]], with added events and policies, and a special mode in which the player controls a fictional nation.<ref>[http://www.trisynergy.com/news.asp?nid=14 Tri-Synergy press release]</ref> ==Educational== ''Democracy 2'', like the first game, is also used by a number of schools, colleges and universities to teach political systems and economics. Positech Games sells reduced cost 'educational site licenses' to schools to encourage this usage of the game.<ref>http://positech.co.uk/democracy2/educational.html</ref> Positech Games has several times expressed a desire to get the game into as many schools as possible, but has only met with indifference in attempts to do so in the UK. The game is also used by a number of other establishments, such as company training seminars. It was also considered for use in political simulation by the US Department of Defense. ==Sequel== A sequel to the game was released in December 2007, which, while very similar to the original in terms of gameplay, differs in that it uses fictional nations (although modders have converted the real nations from the original for play on the new version), and has numerous new features, including party membership, terrorism and real world statistical data. Many of the previously existing features have been enhanced: for example, the amount of political capital needed to change a policy now differs depending on which policy one is changing, and whether one is introducing it, raising it, lowering it, or cancelling it. In December 2008, ''Democracy 2'' won the Game Tunnel "Simulation game of the year" award, something the first game had already achieved. ==References== <references/> ==External links== *[http://www.democracygame.com/ Democracy game homepage] *[http://www.positech.co.uk/ Developers homepage] *[http://www.redmarblegames.com/ Red Marble Games homepage (Mac version)] *[http://www.trisynergy.com/ Tri-Synergy homepage] *[http://democracygame.gamepedia.com Democracy Wiki] {{DEFAULTSORT:Democracy (Video Game)}} [[Category:2005 video games]] [[Category:Government simulation video games]] [[Category:Indie video games]] [[Category:North America-exclusive video games]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]] [[es:Democracy]] [[fr:Democracy 2]]
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