The Political Machine

Strategy General

The Political Machine is a new strategy game in which you are the campaign manager for a candidate for President of the United States. Choose a political party, put together the dream presidential ticket and go for it. Based on the real world, The Political Machine gives would-be candidates the taste of the challenge real candidates face. Fund raising, campaigning, building support, going on "The O'Maley Factor" and other cable news shows to answer the tough questions, and more. The Political Machine is both a single player game against the computer and multiplayer against other players on the Internet. Scores can be optionally recorded to the Metaverse here on PoliticalMachine.com. The game is currently in internal alpha and will be released in May of 2004. The beta should be available in mid March. On the other hand, PoliticalMachine.com has been designed not just as place to download and use the game but as neutral ground for political junkies to discuss the issues of the day with other players from around the world. Create your own articles, hang out in the forum, and become part of this new political discussion community. [Stardock]

Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties

Strategy Real-Time Historic Command

Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties is the second expansion pack for Age of Empires III. Engaging gamers of all ages and types in epic warfare in the Eastern world, Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties will lead Japanese, Chinese and Indian civilizations to expand their empires. Playable Asian civilizations. Lead one of three unique Asian civilizations — Japan, China and India — to expand their empires and fight for control in the Eastern world. Each Asian civilization, led by powerful leaders, will have unique groups, armies and wonders, as well as buildings that reflect the culture’s architectural style. New gameplay elements. Extending upon the innovative gameplay of Age of Empires III, Age of Empires: The Asian Dynasties will introduce new ways of winning and trading, random map styles that feature remixes of classic Age of Empires game styles, and 15 new Asian Wonders. Returning to the historical, civilization-based single-player campaigns, Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties will offer gamers who enjoy the solo experience a chance to engage in strategic combat with Japan, China or India through several engrossing scenarios. [Microsoft]

Cities XL

Strategy City Building Management Modern Government

CITIES XL allows gamers to develop cities on realistic 3D maps using an incredible collection of unique structures and monuments based on American, Asian and European-influenced architectural styles. The maps feature a variety of environments: mountains, hills, canyons, beaches and islands, all set in different climates from tropical to desert, Mediterranean to temperate. Players must create the right combinations of social services, leisure activities, special events and other job opportunities within their cities in order to feed, clothe, employ and entertain their citizens. Be it planning and building a new zoo, public park, residential neighborhood or transit system - there's always a fresh and exciting challenge for would-be city managers and mayors in CITIES XL. The game's online features and services allow players to create interconnected cities on virtual and persistent planets. Mayors can share and trade with one another, specialize their economy and team up with befriended cities to create sprawling metropolises. Life on the planet is punctuated by events and competitions - a concert held in one town may, for example, be attended by visitors from other areas who can also enjoy a walk around the city to admire the urban creations of multiple players. By combining a fantastic single-player game with the social and multiplayer aspects of an MMO, CITIES XL shapes the future of the genre by offering more variety, bigger cities and multiple gameplay layers. [Monte Cristo]

Supreme Ruler: Cold War

Strategy Turn-Based Wargame General

In Supreme Ruler 2020: Cold War, players will enter a portrayal of the world in the year 2020 based on recent real-world headlines. Battle economic challenges, unstable governments and worldwide tensions in this grand strategy experience.