Games That Let You Hack Elections (Ethically, Of Course)

Video games are increasingly tackling the relationship between technology and political power, often through engaging stories and realistic gameplay. Many put you in the role of a digital detective or ethical hacker, forcing you to grapple with tough questions about election security and controlling information. By playing these games, you get a firsthand look at the difficulties of safeguarding democracy from online threats. This collection of games offers a fresh perspective on how important data is and why it’s crucial to use technology responsibly in today’s world.

‘Watch Dogs 2’ (2016)

Watch Dogs 2, created by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft, is an open-world adventure where you play as Marcus Holloway, a skilled hacker. He joins the DedSec group to fight corruption by taking down flawed systems. In one part of the game, players must break into a warehouse full of voting machines to stop a candidate from cheating in a big election. This storyline highlights the risks of relying too much on technology and why it’s important to step in when technology is used unfairly in politics.

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ (2020)

CD Projekt Red created and released ‘Cyberpunk 2077’, a game set in the city of Night City that heavily features the power of corporations. In the game’s ‘Dream On’ quest, players look into a mayoral candidate who is secretly having their mind manipulated. The investigation reveals a hidden operation where political figures have their personalities reprogrammed through hacked neural implants, ultimately influencing election results. This storyline offers a grim vision of how political hacking could threaten personal freedom in the future.

‘Democracy 4’ (2022)

Democracy 4, created by Positech Games, is a complex game where you run a country and tackle challenges like cyberattacks and the spread of fake news. The game realistically simulates how voters respond to online events, including hacking and misinformation, in real time. It highlights the importance of strong security and technology in keeping a democracy open and honest.

‘Not For Broadcast’ (2022)

NotGames created the game ‘Not For Broadcast,’ which tinyBuild then published. It’s a unique game where you play as a TV editor during a period of political chaos. You decide what footage goes out to the public, and those choices directly impact how popular different political groups become and ultimately, who wins elections. The game demonstrates how controlling what people see on TV can shape public opinion and change the outcome of events.

‘Orwell Keeping an Eye on You’ (2016)

‘Orwell Keeping an Eye on You’, created by Osmotic Studios and published by Surprise Attack, is a thriller where you play as an investigator using a government surveillance system. You monitor citizens, looking for threats to national security, and often have to choose what information to share and how to present it, especially when dealing with political activists. The game examines the difficult ethical questions surrounding the use of personal data to maintain order and security during a crisis.

‘Suzerain’ (2020)

Suzerain is a text-based political drama created by Torpor Games and published by Fellow Traveller. In the game, you play as President Anton Rayne, guiding the nation of Sordland through a time of great change. You’ll need to navigate political rivals and use strategy to win elections or change the country’s laws. The game highlights how controlling information and making deals can impact a new democracy’s future.

‘Headliner NoviNews’ (2018)

In the game ‘Headliner NoviNews,’ developed by Unbound Creations, you play as the editor-in-chief of a news outlet in a fictional world. Your job is to choose which stories get published and which don’t. These decisions directly influence the political landscape and the results of local elections, demonstrating the important ethical considerations for those who control what information the public receives.

‘The Red Strings Club’ (2018)

‘The Red Strings Club’ is a cyberpunk story created by Deconstructeam and published by Devolver Digital. The game centers around a bartender and a hacker who team up to thwart a corporation’s scheme to control people’s emotions. This plan seeks to suppress dissent and sway political views by subtly manipulating the public’s minds. As players progress, they’ll engage in conversations and gather information to safeguard people’s freedom of thought during a critical time.

‘Watch Dogs Legion’ (2020)

Watch Dogs Legion, created by Ubisoft Toronto and published by Ubisoft, is the latest installment in the Watch Dogs hacking series. The game takes place in a futuristic London where players build a resistance group to liberate the city from a powerful and controlling security company. Gameplay involves completing missions like hacking into servers and safeguarding political events from tech-based disruptions. A key theme of the game is how ordinary citizens, using their tech skills, can work together to defend democracy.

‘Mind Scanners’ (2021)

Outer Zone created a game called ‘Mind Scanners,’ which Brave At Night then published. It’s a disturbing simulation where you play a psychiatrist in a huge, futuristic city. Your job is to diagnose and treat people using unusual methods, and often involves changing the minds of those who disagree with the government. The game highlights the frightening idea of controlling people’s thoughts to enforce order and conformity.

‘Silicon Dreams’ (2021)

Clockwork Bird created the game ‘Silicon Dreams,’ published by James Patton, which explores the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and interrogation. Players take on the role of an android tasked with gathering information from individuals, navigating the demands of both corporations and politics. The information players collect directly impacts major events and the existing power structure. The game delves into the ethical considerations of obtaining information and how digital information shapes political landscapes.

‘Hacknet’ (2015)

Hacknet, created by Team Fractal Alligator and published by Surprise Attack, is a hacking simulator that feels incredibly realistic. You play as someone following the instructions of a dead hacker, working to reveal a conspiracy connected to a major cybersecurity company. The game emphasizes technical skill, but also tells a story about how hacking can uncover secret political plans. Players must skillfully move through a network of servers to expose a system that puts global privacy at risk.

‘Mainlining’ (2017)

I recently played ‘Mainlining,’ this really cool point-and-click adventure game by Anticleric and published by Merge Games. You play as an investigator for a government agency, basically keeping an eye on the internet for anything shady – illegal stuff and extremist activity. The gameplay is awesome because you use a virtual operating system to track down suspects and collect evidence by hacking into things. It’s not just about the action though; the game really makes you think about the day-to-day work of online security and all the tough ethical questions that come with government surveillance.

‘Grey Hack’ (2017)

Grey Hack is an online game created by Bit Lovers where players simulate hacking into realistic network systems. It’s a large, open digital world with servers representing companies and government organizations. Players have the freedom to use their tech skills however they want within the game. Essentially, it’s a safe learning environment to explore digital security tools and understand how systems might be compromised.

‘Hypnospace Outlaw’ (2019)

I recently played ‘Hypnospace Outlaw,’ and it’s seriously cool. It’s basically a parody of what the internet was like back in the nineties, and I got to play as a volunteer moderator. My job was to patrol this virtual internet, Hypnospace, and take down illegal stuff while also trying to keep things civil. It really made me think about how much power moderators have – how they can shape what people see and what kind of ideas get spread around. The game’s super colorful and gives you a really unique look at how things were when the internet was first starting to become a big deal, and how people were trying to figure out how to manage all the info online.

Share your favorite games that explore the complexities of digital politics in the comments.

2025-12-29 06:46