There’s been a great big rallying cry from some sections of the internet to keep politics out of games. Thing is, I want politics in games. I want politics in my games. I want games to tackle social issues – just in a way that doesn’t commoditise pain and suffering as cheap marketing.
But today, I don’t want to talk about politics in games – but rather the politicians in them. As we wrap our national elections it’s time to discuss the best and worst politicians within games. As an example. Is Final Fight’s Mike Haggar really any good as a mayor? Metro city is a complete mess with him at the helm – and his solution to any problem seems to be a pile-driver.
Saint’s Row IV sees your character inaugurated as President of the United States – and then look to solving conflict with extra-terrestrial forces not through diplomacy, but by brute, super-powered force. Video games are also rife with dictators – with Street Fighter’s M. Bison being the perfect example. Psycho power is no way to run a government.
And then there’s BioShock’s Andrew Ryan. Tired of religious bigotry, left-wing politics, and altruism Ryan created his Utopian, Ayn Randian ideal of Rapture, the city under the sea. We all know how that worked out.
In Two Bad Dudes, the president is kidnapped by a Dragon Ninja and has to be rescued by two tree stumps; hardly an effective leader. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance’s Senator Armstrong is infused with nanotechnology and tries to destroy you.
Video games are no stranger to politics or politicians – but they tend to be the megalomaniacal sort – abusing power for personal gain. And trying to kill you. Are there any good ones?
Last Updated: August 5, 2016
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:40
Uhm you bring up Saint Row and mayors and forget the best mayor ever!!!
Geoffrey Tim
August 5, 2016 at 10:42
Saint;s Row 3 is also a much better game than 4. 😀
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:42
I agree.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
August 5, 2016 at 10:44
Yes!
Dutch Matrix
August 5, 2016 at 10:45
Saints Row 4… What is that you speak of?
Dutch Matrix
August 5, 2016 at 10:45
Mayor Burt Reynolds? Yeah. He was awesome.
Dutch Matrix
August 5, 2016 at 10:42
Well, Udina in Mass Effect. No. He was an asshat from the beginning. And then he sold his soul to Cerberus.
Also, good politician. Is that like an Oxymoron or something?
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:43
I never put him in power.
Dutch Matrix
August 5, 2016 at 10:44
I did. The bastard.
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:45
I punched him in the face every single time.
Zoe Hawkins
August 5, 2016 at 10:46
wish I could do that with a certain American candidate 😛
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:46
I want him to win. At least the Dollar will drop to about 50 cents.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
August 5, 2016 at 10:48
I want him to win, because I’ve never seen a presidential assassination
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:48
Don’t really care but if I could import a Vive for R300 instead of R19000 I would be happy.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
August 5, 2016 at 10:50
XD
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
August 5, 2016 at 10:47
Why not…
http://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/aM1j6nA_460sa.gif
Matthew Holliday
August 5, 2016 at 11:24
Udina was a tool, but he atleast did some sorta good, being wrapped up in all the red tape and all.
He atleast seemed like he was trying to do good. sometimes.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
August 5, 2016 at 10:43
Can think of just one… this is a tough debate
https://mpgs.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/kcfinder/upload/image/Presidents2.jpg
Dutch Matrix
August 5, 2016 at 10:50
After fighting a guy calling himself the Dragon Ninja, then offer me a burger for my trouble?
I’ll dragon punch you in the face!
Zoe Hawkins
August 5, 2016 at 10:43
I’d say the council in Mass Effect but I wouldn’t know – DISMISSED! 😛
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:44
Aria though technically not a politician did keep Omega running fairly smooth.
Also her one rule was perfect.
Matthew Holliday
August 5, 2016 at 11:26
she was a politician in her own way, and she was good at it, really good at it.
but was she a GOOD politician? hell naw, she ran omega like the Godfather
Ottokie
August 5, 2016 at 10:45
I have literally never ever thought about this xD
Dutch Matrix
August 5, 2016 at 10:48
Jarl Ulfrich of the Stormcloaks was quite cool too.
Admiral Chief - Check
August 5, 2016 at 10:48
^^^
BakedBagel
August 5, 2016 at 12:54
DOWN WITH THE EMPIRE
HairyEwok
August 5, 2016 at 10:52
Do games that were made from movies count?
Admiral Chief - Check
August 5, 2016 at 10:54
Good+politician=DIVIDEbyZERO
VampyreSquirrel
August 5, 2016 at 10:54
No (and no)
Pariah
August 5, 2016 at 10:55
And no.
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:55
Cairne Bloodhoof?
Thrall?
Pariah
August 5, 2016 at 10:55
Not politicians.
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:56
Leaders of their repective factions. While not technically called politicians they are defined as such.
Pariah
August 5, 2016 at 10:57
politician
p?l??t??(?)n/Submit
noun
a person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of an elected office.
Professional? No,.
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:58
It is their profession. They were elected (well at least Cairne was).
Matthew Holliday
August 5, 2016 at 11:28
monarchies dont really count do they?
Cairne maybe, you could argue it, but not really
VampyreSquirrel
August 5, 2016 at 10:57
They’re not Politicians… they’re LEADERS. xD
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 10:58
Leaders by their very nature are politicians. Obama may be President but he is still a politician.
VampyreSquirrel
August 5, 2016 at 10:59
ShhhhHHHhhhhhh
Kromas GG
August 5, 2016 at 11:00
Only really works in democratic goverments so Thrall technically is not but Cairne still was.
Pariah
August 5, 2016 at 11:13
You would make a great lawyer/politician with your ability to spin things.
Viking Of Science
August 5, 2016 at 10:56
Senator Armstrong from MGR: Revengeance. He’d have my vote!
https://youtu.be/LmWQd8zhEg4
Skoobaz
August 5, 2016 at 11:01
Ahh! El Presidente in Tropico! He and his succession only cares about the greater good of his people no?
Skoobaz
August 5, 2016 at 11:06
Ooh Oooh Oooh…How about.. “Not a Hero”. Crazy bastard
Deceased
August 5, 2016 at 11:10
Depends – do you mean “How good are they at politics” or “How good are the at the swindle called politics”?
Although, it all boils down to how good are they at lying, cheating, conniving, stealing, cover-ups, silencing, bribing, etc.
Goddamn, politics are fucked up and you’d have to be a horrid person if you honestly dream of becoming a politician :O
Spy Master Tokashi
August 5, 2016 at 11:50
Kane (leader of the brotherhood of NOD) in Command & Conqueror!
Darren Peach
August 5, 2016 at 12:16
“I want games to tackle social issues” So do you want your Demons in Doom to be sensitive about social justice ? Like when you blow their face off with your double barrel shotgun they must be aware that we live in a diverse world with multitude of ideals ? I agree with the idea of change, I disagree with some of the fringe elements that have taken upon themselves to force their ideas on us. Change is something that happens inevitably. There needs to be a distinction between what we consider mindless entertainment and common sense.
If we value our current form of entertainment, I think we need to think twice before allowing SJWs free reign over something as objective as entertainment. If we always appease those that have a bone to pick, Where does that leave us ? Compromise ourselves out of relevance ?
We have seen this bullshit before. People blamed Rock N Roll for the evils of this world. Later it was Metal and then film. I am thankful that there are guys like Quentin Tarantino that flip political correctness off and make pure films. I am very angry at the infiltration of SJWs into gaming. When Doom was showed at E3, One of these critics showed their true colours and pointed out their displeasure and dismay at the crowds reaction to it. That was a clear biased opinion coming from a person who has the same agenda as Jack Thompson. It just took a little longer for the true motive to come out.
At the end of the day, I don’t like people deciding shit for me. Know one does. I indulge in whatever suits me ( within reason ) and the second I lose the right to live my life the way I see fit, there is a fatal flaw in the governing systems set in place.
Guava_Eater
August 5, 2016 at 12:24
Dragon Age 2, The Arishok
iusedtobe(a)regular
August 5, 2016 at 14:32
“Thing is, I want politics in games. I want politics in my games. I want games to tackle social issues”
I cant agree with this at all! I play games to get away from this kind of nonsense. Fantasy should be an escape from reality not the other way around.
Darren Peach
August 6, 2016 at 23:01
That’s kinda sadomasochistic, Don’t you think ?
Skyblue
August 5, 2016 at 17:00
Congressman Thomas Stubbs because he tells Johnny how it is without beating around the “bush”
https://youtu.be/d0d3Vy0fvIw