The Insurgent left-wing independent in the French presidential race, Jean-Luc Melenchon, broke new political ground when he campaigned via hologram. Now rising in the polls, Mélenchon is again charting a new frontier: campaigning by video game.
If, like Mélenchon, you oppose fiscal austerity policies, then you'll love playing "Fiscal Kombat," the game in which, according to the campaign, "we can finally take back the money the oligarchs took from the people."
On the first level, Mélenchon faces off against former budget director Jérôme Cahuzac, who was forced out of the current administration after charges of tax fraud. Cahuzac was sentenced for three years in prison, but has appealed. In "Fiscal Kombat" he is dubbed "Jerome the Untouchable."
After Jerome, comes International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, also recently convicted of corruption but not sentenced to jail.
Lagarde scoffs at Mélenchon's proposals for heavy government spending: "Follow our recommendations, your program is impractical! Our experts are clear, the numbers do not add up!" Mélenchon shoots back, "We will find other experts that are much cheaper!"
As you move up levels, you eventually face off against Mélenchon's presidential rivals, including François Fillon and Emmanuel Macron. And if you make it to Level 11, the anti-nuclear power Mélenchon fights his enemies in front of a leaking nuclear reactor.
French speakers may be interested in the 7-minute behind-the-scenes video describing how the game came together.
If, like Mélenchon, you oppose fiscal austerity policies, then you'll love playing "Fiscal Kombat," the game in which, according to the campaign, "we can finally take back the money the oligarchs took from the people."
'Fiscal Kombat' Pits Mélenchon Against Forces of Austerity
In the game, you use the arrow keys to control Mélenchon as he confronts various Establishment figures, shakes euros out of their pockets, then flings them off screen.On the first level, Mélenchon faces off against former budget director Jérôme Cahuzac, who was forced out of the current administration after charges of tax fraud. Cahuzac was sentenced for three years in prison, but has appealed. In "Fiscal Kombat" he is dubbed "Jerome the Untouchable."
'Can't Stenchon the Mélenchon'
"You came too late," Jerome snarls at Mélenchon, "We took control of the states and soon all the internets!" Mélenchon responds with his unofficial catch phrase, untranslatable to English, "Can't Stenchon the Mélenchon."After Jerome, comes International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, also recently convicted of corruption but not sentenced to jail.
Lagarde scoffs at Mélenchon's proposals for heavy government spending: "Follow our recommendations, your program is impractical! Our experts are clear, the numbers do not add up!" Mélenchon shoots back, "We will find other experts that are much cheaper!"
As you move up levels, you eventually face off against Mélenchon's presidential rivals, including François Fillon and Emmanuel Macron. And if you make it to Level 11, the anti-nuclear power Mélenchon fights his enemies in front of a leaking nuclear reactor.
French speakers may be interested in the 7-minute behind-the-scenes video describing how the game came together.