Power Up: Unsatisfying simulator of Obama administration

President Obama's new job is more complicated than playing Commander-in-Chief: Geo-Political Simulator 2009, but only slightly.

That's not to say that the new strategy game from VerSim isn't entertaining. Let's just say that the primary audience for the brainy PC title will be political junkies, as well as those for whom line-item budgeting is a fun way to spend a Friday night.

I will confess to being disappointed with Commander-in-Chief. As a strategy fanatic, I was very much looking forward to playing this game, which, although developed by a French company, was promoted as something of an "Obama administration simulator." Its American launch was even scheduled to coincide with the new president's inauguration last month.

Unfortunately, once installed, Commander-in-Chief very clearly shows its European roots. What we Yanks refer to as cabinet members are called ministers in this game. Congress is missing in action, but there is a Parliament with which your virtual president must contend. It is unfortunate that the designers failed to properly localize the game for the American audience.

Also disappointing is the game's system for dealing with other characters. As president, players can use a clever appointment-book interface to schedule face time with administration officials, foreign heads of state, upper-echelon military types, trade union leaders, and others. Unfortunately, interactions with such characters are both scripted and very limited. Depending upon the situation, you can offer your guest coffee or, rather bizarrely, a bribe. Another choice is attempt to explain about Iraq. Neither of the last two options seem very Obama-like, and they contribute to Commander-in-Chief's stilted feel. It's very clear that you are in a pretend world not close to the Oval Office.

But even beyond the minimally scripted interactions with the game's computer-controlled characters, I missed having reliable advisers to help me out. This is an especially noteworthy flaw because Commander-in-Chief's options are nearly endless. Cut taxes over here, and you'll need to cut spending over there; otherwise, you'll be running a deficit. It would have nice to have some clear guidance on such options. Isn't that what the federal bureaucracy is for, after all? Advisers do pop up frequently, but their advice lacks depth.

To be sure, the game has some clever touches. For instance, it relentlessly tracks your approval rating. Within three months of taking office, I had run my good will into the ground. Raising the Social Security retirement age probably didn't help. When all else fails, military options are available to the player. The game is called Commander-in-Chief for a reason.

E3 is back!

Game publishers' trade group the Entertainment Software Association has released details of its annual E3 Expo. Once again, the show will be held in Los Angeles, although this time around, the date has moved from July to early June.

Once a spectacle of conspicuous gaming consumption, last year's tepid gathering proved a major embarrassment to the video-game industry. The association seems to have gotten its act together for 2009, however. Major publishers Activision-Blizzard and LucasArts are returning as exhibitors, attendance will be increased, and the industry group is making good use of social network Facebook and micro blog Twitter to keep gamers excited about the revitalized E3.

Grade: C

VerSim. PC. $29.99

Rating: M (17 and older)

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