Online Game Set to Combat Voter Apathy
Added: (Thu May 24 2001)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Online Game Set to Combat Voter Apathy
A new online political game - HonourableMember.com - has been developed by a young team of web publishers, in an attempt to combat the nation’s apathy towards the forthcoming General Election.
The game works along similar lines to the fantasy football manager concept, except that the playing field is the political arena. Starting as a back bencher, the ultimate goal of each player is to become Party Leader/Prime Minister. Players have the option of pitting their wits against 7 other individuals online or playing against 7 virtual party members.
According to its creators the web site allows people to take the same competitive approach they adopt with sports and apply this behaviour to politics – including dirty tricks! By making politics more interactive, it is hoped that players will become intrigued and develop a genuine interest in politics.
Richard Leslie, HonourableMember.com’s Marketing Executive explains, “As a group of fairly young web publishers averaging 24 years, we were alarmed by the fact that only 66% of eligible voters said they would definitely go to the polls. Our concern grew when we read that only 54 percent of the 18-35 age group said they would vote.”
He continues, “Motivated by potentially the lowest voter turnout since 1918, we decided to develop HonourableMember.com with the sole intention of giving individuals the opportunity to discuss what really matters - policies not politicians. These very policies that will shape British politics for at least the next four years - not what any of the party leaders wear, speak, drive or even eat”.
Every election determines the future direction of Britain's politics, and that is never boring. This new web site, launched on 30th May, may be the spark the 2001 Election needs.
(ends) 30.5.01 For immediate publication.
For further details contact Richard Leslie on 0191 230 5505 or e-mail
richard.leslie@floppidog.com