Technical Requirements

eLECTIONS is an online game, played over the Internet. Because of its graphics and videos, a high-speed connection is recommended.

eLECTIONS requires one free browser plugin, Adobe SHOCKWAVE Player, version 10.2 or above. If you do not have it installed, eLECTIONS will detect this and prompt you to install the missing plugin. It can be downloaded at http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/. Additionally, the Shockwave application requires your permission to install the component PrintOMatic Lite MX Xtra that adds essential printing functionality to the game. You will be prompted to install once you start the game. Be advised that some of Apple's newest software does not support Shockwave. If playing eLECTIONS on an Intel-based MAC, please see Using Shockwave Player on an Intel-based Macintosh. If you have any questions, check with your IT department.

Players can choose to resume a previously saved game or start a new game. The game saves your progress at various points along the way. If you exit the game you can later reload the game you created and named. It will resume the game to the last completed turn cycle. Saving stores a file on the player's computer. In order to resume that game, the player has to use that same computer.

Computer Requirements

Windows:

Windows 98, ME, NT 4.0 or later, 2000, XP, or Vista
Pentium 4 or better
256 MB RAM
3D Video Card w/ 64MB RAM
Browsers: Internet Explorer 7.0 or above; Netscape 7, Firefox 1.0 or above

Macintosh:

OS X 10.2 or later
G3 500 MHz
256 MB RAM
3D Video Card w/ 64MB RAM
Browsers: Netscape 7.1 or above; Safari, Firefox 1.0 or above

A virtual host, George Washington, appears at various points of the game to provide advice and feedback to players. Audio speakers may be necessary if you want the class to hear George's commentary. In a computer lab, however, you'd likely want to use the Settings and Options page to turn the sound off or use headphones. George's comments will still appear on screen as text and the lab will be a quieter place.