Ubisoft, a leading company in the multimedia industry, announced with Stardock Entertainment the release of The Political Machine, which ships today to retailers nationwide.

A PC-CD strategy game based on data collected from surveys, exit polls, and the 2000 U.S. Census, The Political Machine users are challenged to spend 41 weeks on the campaign trail, serving as a campaign manager for a presidential candidate. In an effort to secure a spot in the Oval Office, the user is tasked to secure the greatest number of electoral votes and utilize the various facets of political strategy.

Players can design their own candidates based on a dozen different characteristics or use existing political candidates such as George W. Bush, John Kerry and dozens of historical politicians including Ronald Reagan and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Political Machine is both a single and multiplayer game, giving players the choice to compete against the computer or other users online at the game's official website, www.politicalmachine.com.

Developed by Stardock Entertainment in Livonia Michigan, The Political Machine is rated "T" (Teen) with an "Edutainment" descriptor and carries an MSRP of US$19.99.