Throughout history, leaders have been elected in some truly bizarre ways. From drunken sword fights in medieval Germany, to games of Rock-Paper-Scissors between prominent merchant families in 16th century Japan; humanity has been prone to some unconventional tests of leadership.
The older I get, the more I find myself increasingly frustrated with the flaws in our political system. I have often wondered if there is a better way to elect the people in charge, but every alternative idea I’ve had has fallen flat… until now.
With a federal election looming — and after much thought (and a few too many late-night gaming sessions) — I have come to a bold conclusion: I believe Australia’s next Prime Minister should be elected based on their ability to skillfully play and win a game of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII. Hear me out.
Press ‘X’ To Govern: Deep Political Strategy
Civilization VII requires players to navigate diplomacy, manage government policies, build and expand, and engage in global negotiations, all of which mirror real-world political complexities. The nitty-gritty of the game is what makes it so demanding. With so many aspects to monitor — research and development, resource allocation, citizen happiness, foreign relations, hostile settlements, the list goes on – success requires an elite strategic mind.
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Even on the easiest difficulty, this game requires deep political strategy just to stay afloat, let alone thrive. A potential future leader who can successfully spin all these plates and still lead their civilisation to victory is certainly getting my vote.
It’s All Fun And Games Until Someone Declares War
Players must form alliances, navigate trade negotiations, and handle warfare, simulating real-world geopolitics. Just like the player, every other nation on the board pursues advancements in science, economics, culture, and military power. Other governments on the board can also adjust their policies, and these shifts may affect diplomatic relations with your own country, even if your own nation’s policies remain unchanged. Staying ahead of these developments and managing diplomatic relationships wisely is crucial to maintaining strong alliances and global stability. If my future leader wants my vote, they must demonstrate an understanding of international affairs.
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XP For The Future: A Lesson On History
By exploring various civilisations and leaders, you will indirectly gain an education in political history and governance models. The game features a diverse roster of political leaders, many of whom are lesser-known yet historically significant figures. Each leader comes with unique bonuses and abilities inspired by their real-life counterparts. Understanding the history of other nations provides valuable insight into their motivations, helping leaders anticipate their future paths, forge stronger alliances, and navigate complex diplomatic challenges.
Civilization VII also introduces the “Ages” system, a gameplay mechanic that divides the game into distinct chapters with each representing a pivotal era of history and human advancement. This feature enables your empire to evolve more organically, offering the opportunity to adopt a new civilisation with unique bonuses each time (these new civilisations are loosely connected to your current one, you can’t pick just anyone from the roster each time). These choices create a unique cultural lineage that influence your nation’s long-term success. The system also introduces an added layer of strategic depth, requiring careful analysis and micromanagement as you navigate the challenges of each Age.
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If the next Prime Minister wants my vote, I need to know they can think critically about history, governance, and diplomacy to the extent that they are explored in Civilization VII, and maybe moreso. Sometimes, I wonder if our current political candidates can even do this at a basic level. Prove me wrong future Prime Minister — live stream Civilization VII for me and earn my respect.
Main Quest Unlocked: Lead With Foresight
Every decision in the game has long-term consequences, reinforcing the critical thinking skills vital for political leadership. At a time when it often feels like our political leaders struggle to think beyond their next luxury holiday or electric car, I need to know that my Prime Minister can plan for the future, think critically, and consider the broader impact of their choices on the entire nation.
Explored in their Dev Diary series of blog posts, Economics Feature Lead Edward Zhang highlights the four pillars for civilisation management: exploration (discovery), expansion (establishing new settlements), exploitation (using resources effectively), and extermination (attack or defend as rival nations do likewise). These pillars permeate the gameplay, and result in every choice being meaningful. You must carefully consider every move you make both on and off the board.
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Strategic decisions — whether deploying military forces, investing in research, or managing resources – demand the same level of foresight and analytical thinking that real-life society depends on to thrive.
Vote 1: Your Gamer Prime Minister
Just as all roads lead to Rome, there are many ways to determine someone’s suitability to hold a position of power. In an age where political decisions often seem short-sighted and blinded by the elite, I think it’s time we rethink how we assess someone’s suitability to hold office. I truly believe that if we want to determine the wheat from the chaff, putting our potential Prime Ministers through a difficult game of Civilization VII and letting them compete for the privilege of ruling this country is the best way. From decision-making and consequence analysis, to international relations and conflict resolution, there is plenty to assess their suitability. Either that, or we all distract ourselves from the current political trash-fire by playing Civilization VII ourselves. Who’s with me?
You can pick up Sid Meier’s Civilization VII now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Store for $119.95 AUD, and Nintendo Switch for $89.95 AUD.
A copy of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII was supplied to Quest Daily.
