The next update adds new scenarios: two new countries to live a whole political life in, free for everyone who owns the game. Both are fictional, and each plays by different rules.

The Kingdom of Westerholm (fictional) — a parliamentary country
There is no presidential election here. Voters elect the members of the House, and whoever leads the largest party becomes Prime Minister.

• Elections don't come on a fixed date. The Prime Minister calls one when the moment looks right — and if the government loses a vote of confidence, Parliament is dissolved and everyone is back on the campaign trail.
• The road to the top runs through your party: win a seat, earn a place in government, then win the party leadership. Leaders are chosen — and removed — by their own party, so even a Prime Minister is never quite safe.
• If no party wins a majority, someone has to govern together with another party. Counting seats becomes a skill of its own.
• An appointed upper house can't stop your bills, but it can slow them down.

The Southern Republic (fictional) — a country of the plaza and the barracks
A presidential republic where the street and the army both have a say.

• The president is elected directly. If no one wins a majority in the first round, the top two meet in a runoff — so who you make peace with between the rounds matters.
• The constitution allows a single term. Changing that takes a referendum, and the country may say no.
• Crowds in the plaza can carry an unknown to power — or bring a government down.
• The army is a political force of its own. When the country is shaken, the barracks may move, and you may have to decide which side you are on.
• New voices at the ballot box: miners, informal workers, indigenous communities and soldiers.

Each country has its own backgrounds, people, events and stories — not just new names on the same map.

Your saves carry over. Lives you have already started stay as they are, and the new countries appear on the country screen when you start a new life.

I'm still testing and balancing, so there is no date yet. Thank you for playing, and for every report.