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IGN PC recently had the chance to interview Franz Felsl of PopTop Software, creators
of the upcoming tropical island empire-building game Tropico. Though much information
has already been released regarding this upcoming title, this interview goes deeper into details
regarding gameplay, including character creation and citizen management.

Character creation, in which the player creates an in-game persona to rule the island, presents some interesting
options. A player could start as anything from a Developer to a Pop Singer, affecting
aspects of the island's workings and your level of influence with the populace. Another attribute, known as Rise to Power, lets the citizens know how you got to your current status and could be anything from
Bought the Election to Installed by the CIA. Qualities, Empathy and Flaws are other customizable
attributes that will ultimately affect the player's destiny and the island culture in general.

Citizen management is also sounding quite varied in its implementation. Managing the people's happiness,
the island's economy and even the military and police forces will all be vital to success. Citizens will
act independently, but can be affected by the emotions and actions of those around them. Even religion will
play a factor:

[IGNPC]: What role will religion play in the game?

[Franz Felsl]: Religion is a faction on your island that can't simply be
ignored. This faction can do a great deal to harm or help you as a dictator.
With religious structures built you'll cater to the needs of those individuals
that require some type of spiritual attention. These structures will may also
allow you to pass certain Edicts that can change the dynamics of the game
like Banning the use of Contraceptives, thus upping the birth rate on your
island or being able to get a Papal Visit to your island and making quite
popular, for a time.

IGN PC - Tropico Interview

Tropico Official Site

PopTop Software (add to watch list)

MacSoft (add to watch list)

Tropico (add to watch list)

Buy Tropico

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