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Political terms re-defined by videogames

Use the Radical Republican’s Filibuster to beat the Deficit Hawk

Words: Brett Elston, GamesRadar US

Oh my divided stars and garters, there’s an election going on! And a damn important one at that. Kinda makes you want to know the issues, what’s at stake, which candidate addresses your interests, stuff like that. But golly, all that political jargon bores the shit out of us.

However, if you take all those crusty keywords and imagine what they’d be like in a videogame, the electoral process suddenly becomes a whole lot more exciting.

What it actually means: “The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action.”

What it would be in a videogame: An oversized club used to inflict incredible pain, especially quad damage, for the purpose of delaying respiratory action. Permanently.

Who is mighty enough to wield the filibuster? Obama? Master Chief? Fictional lawyer/pro wrestler Red Lawbster, whose special finisher is the inverted filibuster?


What it actually means: “A wing of the Republican Party organized around an uncompromising opposition to slavery before and during the Civil War.”

What it would be in a videogame: A “Whoa, Dude!” legislator with an uncompromising love of skateboarding and saying NO! to drugs

Insert guitar wailing sound effect here. This guy, oh man, he’s on. You name it, he did it last night before curfew. He’s not above causing a ruckus, but hey, he’s responsible too.


What it actually means: “To divide a geographic area into voting districts so as to give an unfair advantage to one party during elections.”

What it would be in a videogame: A Nazi salamander, probably hidden somewhere in the new Wolfenstein

It’s not like Wolfenstein has been particularly steadfast with its portrayal of Nazi technology, so the idea of German/salamander hybrid monster popping up in the latest version isn’t reaching too far. Yes, the correct term was “Jerries,” but let’s pretend the Nazis threw the “G” in just to screw with us.


What it actually means: “Unofficial but effective technique of arm-twisting to prevent labor unions and businesses from getting big wage or price increases.”

What it would be in a videogame: Effective technique of bone-twisting that tears off the bottom portion of your opponent’s face. Jawb0wnd!

We picture this as some kind of FPS CQC – look at that, indecipherable jargon for the other side to figure out.


What it actually means: “A moderate Republican serving in the House of Representatives who happens to represent a northeastern or Midwestern urban area, which is also the habitat for the Gypsy Moth.”

What it would be in a videogame: A freakish miniboss serving in the House of the Dead who happens to represent a shroomed-out developer’s habitual drug problem.

We’ll level with you – we’d never heard of this prior to our internet scavenging. If this comes up in an actual conversation... well, it can’t really come up, can it?

 
48 Comments
xMrGrey - 2 months 22 days ago
Heh heh, Hard power..
chrisat928 - 2 months 22 days ago
Nazi salamander? That pic made me laugh so hard.
Schuultz - 2 months 22 days ago
hm, didn't like that article too much... seemed a bit too forced. Also, I thought you guys were talking about actual cases of redefinitions because of a video game, not what it "could mean in a video game"
climbing wolf - 2 months 22 days ago
Nazi Salamanders!!!
bioshocker - 2 months 22 days ago
I had the same understanding as Schuultz. Whatever, still thought it was awesome.
ClusterShart - 2 months 22 days ago
i dont recognize anyone, other than chrisat
iluvmyDS - 2 months 22 days ago
Lolz, minority whip.
Cynwyddon - 2 months 22 days ago
I learned something today. Thanks, Gamesradar!
CuddlyBomber - 2 months 22 days ago
I loled at this article. Good Job Brett Elston!
JosephCh - 2 months 22 days ago
The article was great, but the part explaining "Jawboning" was just pure genius :P.
bull06 - 2 months 22 days ago
heh Jawboning....
andyAK47 - 2 months 22 days ago
good stuff
Z-man427 - 2 months 22 days ago
i see some new meme's coming from this. jawboning shall replay pwning
That1Mexican - 2 months 22 days ago
The Minority Whip is just wrong..lol
bl00dyvalen7ine - 2 months 22 days ago
Ha, this was great
Spooty_The_GameGuru - 2 months 22 days ago
Minority whip?! haha, that's good ol' racism.
ELpork - 2 months 22 days ago
love the minority whip
Holy Diver - 2 months 22 days ago
Haybe the next Hellboy graphic novel will have Nazi salamders
sourpunch - 2 months 22 days ago
Great article loved it like always.
bron1417 - 2 months 22 days ago
this is too funny
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