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Power Politics free for Educators
June 3, 2005 - by Ian Bogost

WCG regular Randy Chase has just announced that his prexy election sim Power Politics III (on WCG: 1, 2) is now free for use in the classroom. The new version will also have likely '08 candidates. Click through for the full press release.

Award-Winning Election Simulation Now Available
Free for Educators to Use in Classrooms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Kellogg Creek Software, Inc.
Randy Chase
(503) 698-4076
randy@kelloggcreek.com

June 2, 2005

Happy Valley, Oregon - Kellogg Creek Software announced today that the
award-winning election simulation Power Politics III is now available
as a free teaching aid to any instructor who would like to use it in
his or her classroom.

'Over the past 12 years, the simulation has been used by a variety of
prestigious schools,' commented game designer Randy Chase. 'With the
current day funding problems facing schools, being in a position to
offer the game free to the educational community is an exciting
opportunity.'

Registration information for educators can be found at the
simulation's web site (www.powerpolitics.us).

Power Politics III is the third installment of Chase's series of
political simulations that casts the player (or student) in the role
of campaign manager for real-world presidential candidates. Students
can replay the '04 race to see if they can win Ohio and put Kerry in
the White House. It also offers a wide range of fantasy options. Could
Hillary Clinton have defeated Bush? How would a Clinton vs. Reagan
campaign turn out? How would John Kennedy fare in the present day
electoral landscape? With Power Politics, students can explore these
and other fascinating scenarios and test their skills at managing a
realistic campaign for the White House.

'Having the support of partners like the Christian Science Monitor and
the Gallup Poll has created a wide range of new possibilities,'
explained Chase. While we have always had great responses from the
teachers who have used it in the past, the number of teachers in a
position to buy software for their classes these days is clearly
limited. With the sponsorship model and free distribution, I look
forward to working with our growing network of educators to expand and
enhance the educational potential of the simulation.'

Chase also announced that educators can expect to see the introduction
of the most likely '08 candidates and a new forward-looking campaign
scenario available this fall. Participating educators are invited to
work with Kellogg Creek Software as the future educational
enhancements are being planned.

The free educational version of Power Politics is made possible by the
supporting team of corporate partners and sponsors, including The
Christian Science Monitor, the Gallup Poll and Rock the Vote.

Additional information about 'Power Politics III' can be found at the
game's website (www.powerpolitics.us).



Comment from Randy Chase on June 3, 2005

As always, Ian, thanks for the coverage. The initial response from educators has been very positive. (Obviously, we're giving them a price point that they can appreciate! )

And yes, I'm planning on introducing the leading '08 candidates in time for fall classes; and I've invited the participating educators to play a very active role in the on-going evolution of the simulation. We'll also be working with the folks at Gallup to develop an evolving forward looking campaign scenario for the '08 campaign.

Comment from Drew Buddie on June 3, 2005

Well done to Randy for choosing to make this FREELY available to schools. What asshame though it is the US and not UK elections that are covered by it :-( Still I will be recommending this to the politics teacher at my school :-)


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