The Political Machine 2008 lets gamers run for President

A couple of questions:

• Is there going to be a beta?


• How long before its possible to pre/order?

April is the goal for beta/preorders.

Oh no. I hope this screenshot is not what Political Machine 2008 is going to look like. The original format was just fine. Game play had some bugs but the look was fine. I kind of liked the animated/cartoonish candidate look. These statue dolls are a little creepy.
As far as interface is concerned it looks about the same (which is a good thing); prettied up a bit, but that will happen.
To be honest what I would really like is more options and less graphics boosts. Through in 3rd parties. Maybe even let me play as one with the goal of winning one state in the general election. Maybe throw in the option of having to compete in the primary; fighting against members of your own party for the party's nomination. Also they could add more endorsements. We have seen that endorsements are very critical to this election so far. In the first the only endorsements came from groups, so add those from famous individuals (I know that they were kind of present in the last game existing as political operatives, but those were up for grabs by whoever got to them first. But that is not really realistic. I do not see someone like Governor Crist from FL endorsing Hillary Clinton. And most of the celebrity endorsements were from celebrities no politicians.) It would be an improvement to do away with the political opportunities and make them party specific or at least issue specific. Make it more known what you are getting yourself into. For instance is Jerry Falwell decides he might support my candidate then it shows up as a headline. Then I fly to Bob Jones University and “if” I accept then my rating on issues that he influences would be changed. But in order to get Falwell interested I have to “prove” myself to his cause first. I think these should be more issue oriented rather than party oriented. Meaning if Barack Obama proves himself to Falwell then he should have the same option of getting his support as, say, Fred Thompson. (Also by proving I mean that my issue ratings on certain issue would have to be up to or below a certain range in certain areas, maybe have key group endorsements).
And maybe this time, Stardock, you might put Senator McCain in the game (You really do not have much of a choice this time). I am still hot about Gen. Wesley Clark making it into the last Political Machine, but not McCain. Honestly (I know different elections. The first game covered the 2004 election, but the only reason McCain did not a real life appearance was because the GOP said no contest. ‘Bush is our choice again.’). More candidates would be cool as well. But enough of my ranting. Despite all I have said The Political Machine is still one of my favorite games. It is way cool. I have introduced it to several friends that report that they will likely purchase the “sequel” game once released; as will I.

Yay!

Now I just have to save my pennies 'till then.