Comments for Clout: The Game

I posted the link in a sticky in the general post. You have to log out of kongregate, follow the link, then log in. Also, be aware that the game isn't exactly playable yet. It's just an HTML realtime chat after you get done with character creation, but it'll start to be playable in the next couple days/weeks.

The Speaker Of The House automatically wins reelection (IRL the Speaker can be anyone, not just a member of congress).

i guess we'll see

What bills get challenged at all depends on the bill itself and the constitution. It's not generated, it's something I put in ahead of time. Any major bill that can be challenged will be challenged (as in real life). The supreme court decides on the case mostly based on their affiliation, but they aren't purely partisan and the AG can swing things quite a bit. Whether the AG chooses to intervene or not depends on the affiliation of the AG and the bill in question.

You can already do this by passing the congressional security/martial law bills. While in effect, they offer protection of 1 and 3 levels, respectively, to everyone in the game. If you mean something on a personal level, nothing is currently implemented as I don't want cash to be too powerful. I may add something in the future, but it may also be scandalous (bribing the police or somesuch).

I think it was Cersei. But the game could be lying I guess.

Conference committee can remove poison pill, though your fellow congresspersons have to vote to help you out. If you don't have CC, try asking for one on your bill in team/party chat.

But you did it FOR FREEDOM

GDP growth and population growth are not part of the formulas directly. Eventually they'll tank the nation if left negative for a number of weeks.

This is much less effective than it used to be since I changed how intricate coverups work.

It's a sign of things to come.

Banning something out of fuzzy feel good intentions isn't exactly in-line with the constitution, and it being struck down has nothing to do with immorality.

I just checked and appeal to emotion is strong for outlawing it... so i'm not sure what you mean.

Game balance.

Probably due to lack of such games in general.

This is commonly listed as the #1 thing that people hate about these types of games... so I don't think that'd be a good idea. The reward is that you get to advance quicker as you'll be using more energy/stress.

I'm sure they're used to it.

Thanks for letting me know!

I only did that cocaine to help the children of America!

They are a visual representation of the player's clout tier and party.

nope. That stays the same. The only thing multiplied is the effect the bill has on the nation.

Thanks for letting me know! Some of these display problems are super weird.

The constitution of the united states is set up such that the federal government doing much of anything is potentially unconstitutional. Obviously lifting bans of things and removing taxes can't be subject to a challenge. As such, the challenge system favors the libertarian party somewhat... but that's kind of how the constitution is written.

I personally find it kind of amusing how much foreign/military aid we throw at both Israel, Palestine and a good bit of the middle east. At some point it just kind of feels like we're fighting ourselves.

you done got item'd

Congress can't directly dictate trade between nations. That makes no sense. Also, the feature is not implemented yet. You're just seeing a preview of the interface.

This is not correct. Any bill that could potentially run afoul of the constitution is subject to a constitutional challenge.

Never strong/weak, does high random damage that can be negative.

Two of those are already planned.

That bill is pretty old and I probably need to go back and update it to take into account new abilities and such.

It doesn't reduce taxes. In fact, an ability text of that ability references exactly why it doesn't apply in that situation.

this is correct. sort of. Think tank alters how rational debate works on the think tanked bill.

The scepter is a lavish display of wealth and makes people dislike you. The trendy smartphone decreases it as it's something trendy (ie purchased for reasons other than its merits). That's the theme of that line of T3 gear.

Sure they do. It's just the least common result.

If you go to start the mission you'll get a screen that explains what it does, how much it costs (and it'll let you cancel out).

No. You get a vague indicator of it with the line in your character pane (top left)

NO WINNING EVERYBODY LOSES

That feature isn't enabled yet. You're merely seeing a preview of the interface.

Hm... I have noticed this bug, but I think it's happened even when there was only one challenge in the day. I'll be looking into it after I finish most of FR (possibly today!)

Looks like somebody's not quite as spry as they used to be!

yes, though it'll be done soon (couple days).

Legalizing homicide is exactly what you describe. It doesn't encourage homicide. (also, I've actually gotten a lot of gleeful comments from green party members about that bill. I know more than a few of those types IRL and they do actually hate humanity/think we should all die. It's an oddly common opinion amongst them.)

wom wom wom

Only the background trait "skeletons in your closet" can result in prison. Most scandals are indirect/suggestive enough that their discovery isn't really sufficient for a criminal case (or it's about something that congresspersons have immunity for).

Yes. Each scandal has an individual chance of discovery, which is checked against when your investigation roll is sufficiently high.

Seems a bit complicated. Also, generally speaking, reinforcing desirable behavior works better than trying to discourage undesirable behavior.

dirty lies

Sometimes people don't like what you do as a congressperson (though, that message is just a random event).

It has no special function like that.