The 2004 election dawned a new era of Presidential elections. It was labeled the inaugural ‘digital age’ election. One writer was quoted asking when the first video game simulating an election would come out. The contributors to this article came up with the video game before the writer had pondered when such a game would hit the stores.
Howard Dean was a Governor of Vermont and attempted to become the Democratic nomination for President. He failed, as many of us know. John Kerry eventually lost the election, despite winning the popular vote, to George W. Bush. Dean’s methods were new-age and that is mainly what this piece is about… thus New Media Writing. It sparked use of technology.
“Dean was incredibly successful in changing the way political campaigns of all types are carried out. Dean supporters made extensive use of new media tools such as e-mail, Web sites, and blogs to foster support from the grassroots. Howard Dean was also the first candidate to use a video game as endorsed political speech.” The guy used a video game to market his election— not sure that has ever been done again.
As big of a joke as the game seemed initially, it actually reached a good chunk of voters. “It was very successful in terms of audience: it reached 100,000 plays in the month before the Iowa caucus, a very respectable number considering its novelty and the fact that it was launched during the holidays.” Timing is everything isn’t it? Really makes you think. Like don’t ya just hate it when you put out a Facebook post and then you see that the post put up seconds after yours published is way funnier or reaches a better audience… ughhhh.
Okay back to politics and writing. Here is how the game worked.
“This effectiveness was based on the player’s performance in each minigame; a better score meant a more efficient supporter. Because supporters could not be “reset” once placed, this encouraged players to perform their best each time they played a minigame. After having set the effectiveness of a supporter through one of the minigames, that supporter worked nonstop, enacting “virtual outreach” to win over other virtual Iowans. In the main map screen, more effective virtual supporters worked more quickly in their region; a circular gauge showed their progress. When the gauge filled, a new supporter spawned, ready for the player to place for additional outreach.”
I wouldn’t want my Presidential candidate to do video games as part of his election. Generally, it’s only kids that play video games and no kids want to play video games that are about an election. Or if they do play that game it means that they are already voting, because they are the kids who care enough to play a lame game about an election. Sometimes the truth is harsh. It’s not the way to appeal to your people, because it is such a sad attempt and kids won’t go for it. E-mail and rallies seem like the best use of time and it will be that way for an awfully long time.
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