Politidex game aims to humanise UK politics through Pokémon-style engagement
Creator Fred Parry hopes the AI-developed game will counter public suspicion of politicians by encouraging players to learn the names and constituencies of local representatives.
A free mobile application titled Politidex, launched on 6 May, has introduced a new mechanism for public engagement with the UK political landscape by allowing users to "catch" and train real politicians. Created by 28-year-old developer Fred Parry, the game utilises a format inspired by the augmented reality success of Pokémon Go, featuring over 18,000 characters that include all 650 Members of Parliament and thousands of local councillors.
Within one week of its release, the app recorded more than 45,000 battles, with players acquiring over 17,000 political figures. The gameplay requires users to engage in "debates" against wild politicians to deplete an opponent’s "approval rating" health bar. These interactions are powered by parliamentary manoeuvres, such as questions at Prime Minister’s Questions or calls for a recount, rather than physical combat.
Parry, a former contestant on Dragons' Den, stated that the project was designed to "humanise" politics and increase awareness of local representatives. The concept originated from an April Fool’s Day idea to create a feasible, positive alternative to political antagonism. Parry noted that while public suspicion of politicians is common, the game aims to flip the narrative by framing engagement as a process of training and building parties rather than defeating individuals.
The development process relied heavily on artificial intelligence tools for both software generation and artwork, a decision that Parry acknowledged has drawn some backlash. Despite the criticism, he maintained that the game would not have existed without these technologies. The launch coincides with UK local elections, a period when Parry observed that many players may not know the names of their local MPs or councillors, highlighting a gap in civic knowledge that the app seeks to address.
Specific political references and controversies have been integrated into the game’s mechanics, with moves referencing past gaffes or policy positions. For instance, Angela Rayner’s "second home" move was updated to "exoneration" following an HMRC investigation revelation, while Rachel Blake’s signature attack involves "international sanctions". Parry described the response from Westminster as "wholesome," with some MPs engaging with the app by catching themselves and sharing their experiences.