NationStates Jolt Archive

One thing I want to do with my friends is run a political role-playing game set in an alternate Earth but one that is fairly true to real history (there's different nations and religions, but the gun was invented at about the same time, there are WMD, and so on). Since the players will be playing individual politicians rather than nations, this is not strictly related to NS, but it seemed appropriate to start here.

Has anyone run a political game like this? Do you have any suggestions? I'm thinking of starting them off in their home district, and task them with winning their seat in the upcoming election. They can lobby newspapers, manipulate other politicians, etc.

As well as the general plea for advice, I have two specific questions:
1) My friends are playing as the Green Socialists (or the Socialist Greens). Does anyone have any good, simple (we're only sixteen) online information about socialism, the green movement, or preferably, a combination of the two? and

2) How do I keep it from becoming boring? They're interested in politics but not captivated by it... how much time should I spend on each 'issue'? Should I focus more on their interaction with voters and competitors instead of the issues themselves? (more role-playing than politics)

Thanks for your advice.

Bill

Edit: And, for those who have actually run a political RPG themselves, where was the action focused? Should I detail the nation of Aoteralis in great detail, or the PCs specific district, or their rival parties, or the lobbying groups that confront them? What kind of information should I have ready at hand?

sounds a bit too complicated if you ask me but I'm sure you can set up a thread in I.I or gameplay and run it pretty much the same as there RP's

I was all set for some sarcastic comment like 'I attempt to filibuster, roll D20', but I see you're taking this pretty seriously.

It's not anything I've ever considered. But if you're into politics, and can find like-minded people, why not? Can't be much worse than a bunch of angst-ridden goth kids dressing up and pretending to be Vampires.

As for your questions;

1) I'm not sure. Check wiki?

2) I'm assuming the people playing, are actually into 'role-playing', and not hack'n'slash stuff. Because I can't imagine how you would do that. To keep a non-action style RPG from getting boring, you have to make the players feel as if their characters are real, and have elements that affect their characters personally.

For instance; if your pcs are members of a Socialist Green party, then in the game environment, emphasize the pollution, and the problems associated with Capitalism. Have political opponents who have connections to big corporate interests, and have those big corporate interests take a personal interest in them. The first part of a campaign could just be about getting into power.

Once in power, your pcs could be faced with a lot of difficult decisions; issues where they may have to compromise their morals in order to get something done, etc.

'Opponents' could include, opposing party members, business interests, 'criminal' business interests, pesky reporters, activists, foreign intervention, etc.

What I wouldn't recommend, is having a game where everyone is from a different political party, and you have to take the time to deal with each person individually. A lot of time, and effort, for something that will likely not work.

why am I thinking of KODT's Race for the White House...

why am I thinking of KODT's Race for the White House...
...is that a radio station?

...is that a radio station?
KODT= Knights of the Dinner Table. a comic about a group of roleplayers playing a hack-n-slash game called Hackmaster.

in Race for the White House, each player has a politician viying for the white house... and they get down and dirty with the mudslinging and assassinations... but the rules lawyer pulls a win in the end.

You mean like a micronation?

There are loads of them about.

You mean like a micronation?

There are loads of them about.

Um, no? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronation) This is more of an alternate Earth.

Thanks for the advice, everyone, especially Mikesburg.

KODT= Knights of the Dinner Table. a comic about a group of roleplayers playing a hack-n-slash game called Hackmaster.

KODT rules. I've never seen 'Race for the White House', but undoubtedly, Brian would bring some political fireballs on-line.

Thanks for the advice, everyone, especially Mikesburg.

Hey, anybody who want's to put the work into something original gets the Mikesburg nod. No problem! ;)

Um, no? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronation) This is more of an alternate Earth.

Thanks for the advice, everyone, especially Mikesburg.

You're thinking I mean RL micronations....where people have declared themselves independent and dandered off into a bit of land they think nobody will miss. I'm not.

There are online micronations, operating on forums. They don't claim to hold any land, they just let their members RP characters...mainly politicians, but also business men etc. There's usually some form of parliament, a court system....all the aspects of government, except all their governing is a theoretical nation that they are RPing in. They're basically simulations which, from what I can gather, is exactly what you're looking for.

And nearly all of these micronations operate on an alternate earth.

Most fit exactly what you are looking for, except they go the step further and have other people RPing opposing ideals, so you wouldn't have to.

You've taken the wrong definition of micronation....