Games On Net :: New Releases: Hail to the Chimp

Hail to the Chimp - Meet Your Candidates

By Chienne - Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:52am

Australia is currently in the throes of a political battle. Both major parties are duking it out to see who can win the most votes come next week's election.

...that's not exciting though. What is exciting is the Presidential challenge that takes place in the Animal Kingdom. The ten quirky candidates from Gamecock's upcoming party game, Hail to the Chimp have just been announced, and we've got details on their personalities, political platforms and leadership styles.

Exciting gameplay and lush environments are tucked in with a comic political perspective, as these beasts take each other on in the battle to become President of the animals.

Just like the real deal, names are being called, fingers pointed, mud slung, as the candidates each claw their desperate way up the political ladder to reach that golden seat.

Founder of developers Wideload, Alex Seropian, explains:

"The story of 'Hail to the Chimp' is delivered through a metaphor of the election process. The ten candidates in the game have their own back stories, and there are rivalries between the candidates and opportunities to team up and make alliances.

"It's all there - the flawed electoral system, the political back-stabbing, the self-possessed newscasters and pundits, fundraising with the fat cats and even the inane political ads. There will also be lots of subtle, and not so subtle, political humor."

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce your candidates:

Name: Ptolemy Species: Hippo Hails from: Egypt Bio: Ptolemy lives in a world where the 1970's never stopped. With a unique style and charisma by the truckload, this happenin' Hippo wants to return Hippos (more directly, himself) to the top of the Animal Kingdom.	Name: Santo Species: Armadillo Hails from: New Mexico, US Bio: Born in the deserts of New Mexico, Santo was a painter before he joined the campaign. He thinks politicians and artists have a lot in common - prima donnas and shysters, the lot of them - and he's here to keep it real.
Name: Crackers Species: Monkey Hails from: Congo Bio: Crackers was the right-hand monkey to the King Lion before he was ousted from the throne. Rumor has it that Crackers' whole campaign is a ruse designed to restore his old boss to the throne, ensuring a cushy lifestyle for his favorite monkey.	Name: Toshiro Species: Octopus Hails from: Japan Bio: A samurai octopus, Toshiro's logic is simple - most of the world is water and therefore ocean-based animals are the dominant life form. A highly trained warrior and scholar, Toshiro's campaign is as elegant as it is ruthless.
Name: Bean Species: Sloth Hails from: Seattle, WA (by way of Bogota, Columbia) Bio: Bean is your atypical sloth - super caffeinated, uber-motivated and ready to work the kingdom into shape. A coffee addict, she once lived in Bogota but found herself on a coffee shipment to Seattle where she is now an aerobics instructor.	Name: Moxie Species: Musk Ox Hails from: Liverpool, England Bio: Moxie is a self-educated Musk Ox who is sick of the patriarchal nature of politics. Why can't there be a Queendom? Her personal charisma, self-motivation and erudition make her a formidable candidate.
Name: Hedwig Species: Polar Bear Hails from: Uppsala, Sweden Bio: A singing superstar in the disco world, Hedwig is used to the public eye. She's convinced that the animal kingdom would best be served by someone with a celebrity's understanding of looking good, manipulating the press, and product endorsement.	Name: Murgatroyd Species: Jellyfish Hails from: Unknown Bio: Not much is known about Murgatroyd as her garbled pronouncements are completely indecipherable. This is a solid campaign strategy, as many animals assume her views are similar to their own. Mysterious, perplexing and lovable, Murgatroyd could be the underdog of this race.
Name: Daisy Species: Platypus Hails from: Sydney, Australia Bio: An incredibly popular children's TV show host, Daisy is the most adorable platypus ever born. With her cute looks and a tomboyish personality, she is loved by young animals of every species the world over. Capturing the presidency is the only way she can possibly get any bigger.	Name: Floyd Species: Walrus Hails from: Manhattan Bio: Floyd moved to NY to become a dock foreman. But after a blow to the head, he began having some funny ideas about the world. He now sees himself as a guru and soothsayer meant to lead the animal kingdom. After all, he's got a direct line to the cosmic plane.

Hail to the Chimp is due for release mid-2008, for Xbox 360 and PS3, from Gamecock and Wideload. I also would like to mention the official website for the game is www.chimplove.com, because I know that a few of you will get a giggle out of it, and I'm an enabler.