Gotta catch an MP! Players debate' UK politicians in Pokemon-style game

"Starting with their local area, players travel through constituencies teeming with wild MPs and councillors, hoping to catch em all and become the dominant party of the UK. Officially launched on 6 May, the game currently features more than 18,000 characters, including all 650 MPs and thousands of local councillors. A week on, players have already fought more than 45,000 battles and caught over 17,000 politicians."

"Unlike a traditional Pokemon battle, players must debate a wild politician to acquire them. Players can target their opponent's health bar, now an approval rating, with an arsenal of parliamentary manoeuvres: a barrage of questions at PMQs, calling for a recount, or weakening them with an embarrassing soundbite. Senior MPs, such as Diane Abbott, hand out damage with advanced moves such as select committee and policy statement."

"Other politicians have moves that reference their various controversies or gaffes, including Ed Miliband's bacon sandwich or Angela Rayner's second home, which after Thursday's revelation about the HMRC investigation was updated on the game to exoneration. Some MPs are rare to find, such as Keir Starmer or Nigel Farage. Others unlock highly powered moves: Rachel Blake, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, can deliver a particularly nasty blow with her signature attack."

A free mobile game launched on 6 May lets players build teams of cabinet members and backbenchers by catching local politicians across UK constituencies. The game includes more than 18,000 characters, featuring all 650 MPs and thousands of local councillors. Players travel to find wild politicians and acquire them through debate rather than traditional combat. Battles track an opponent’s approval rating, and players use parliamentary manoeuvres such as PMQs questions, calls for recounts, and attacks based on embarrassing soundbites. Senior MPs use advanced moves like select committee and policy statements, while other moves reference controversies and gaffes. Rare politicians can be harder to find, and some unlock powerful signature attacks.

Read at www.theguardian.com