Game Design, Programming and running a one-man games business…

Cynical Blog Post (Democracy 3)

cliffski

Ahahaha. See what I did there? I’m blogging about cynicism in Democracy 3. It’s much better than cynicism in democracy 2, or at least the developer claims it is, it probably won’t be…amirite?

Enough sad puns. Anyway, cynicism in democracy 2 worked like this: If the player raised taxes just after being re-elected (or at the game start, which is the same thing) or dropped them just before an election, the level of global cynicism went up, and this was a factor in deciding who to vote for at the next election. Simple.

The trouble is, it was too cynical. if you cut inheritance taxes just before an election, the middle classes and wealthy may well find it cynical, but will people unaffected by the change (the poor etc) really even notice? And there are other policies than tax. If you introduce armed police just before an election shouldn’t patriots and conservatives be a bit cynical about that?

So Democracy 3 introduces 2 radical changes to the way cynicism is calculated. Firstly, it is per-voter group. So you are only made cynical by changes which actually have some effect on your beliefs and situation. As a non parent, you won’t care if child benefit goes up or down or when it happens, you ignore it. Secondly, cynicism now acts on all decisions, not just tax. So laws, government spending…anything that has a noticeable effect on the opinions of a voter group will trigger a rise in cynicism for that group.

That’s the theory. Right now it’s buggy as anything, but I will fix it today. No seriously…I’m sure it will get fixed today.

9 thoughts on Cynical Blog Post (Democracy 3)

  1. Is there some kind of system for pre-election promises? Because cynicism would only make sense in this context I think. Why would voters be cynical if you promised them to enact a policie or raise taxes (and winning despite that).

    Also, what’s up with those cynical brits everywhere? ;)

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  3. Hmm, I think this would not speak to the a growing consensus of cynicism that often occurs due to reneged promises or otherwise. It should be more broadly applied, although maybe with a modifier to those not directly affected.

    To have tied it directly to tax increases may have been a bit excessive in Democracy 2. However, attaching it to election pledges (which could also have voter cynicism proportionally mitigating positive benefits from chosen pledges) could be a more accurate cause of voter cynicism – promise one thing then do another. In Canada, that is ALWAYS what precipitates a “throw the bums out” mentality come election time.

    FYI – more options for election promises would be great!

  4. Wouldn’t raising child benefit annoy the wealthy and middle income career-orientated childless voters? Their tax contributions are going to couples who choose to have children and want others to pay for them.

    You should have a pressure group like in the Simpsons, “Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples And Teens And Gays Against Parasitic Parents” (SSCCATAGAPP).

  5. Pretty sure there is a small group of people who are cynical about everything a government does, no matter what.

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