Oiligarchy

Oiligarchy is a turn-based strategy game where players take on the role of an oil company CEO starting in 1946. The game involves exploring regions like Alaska, Texas, and Iraq to extract oil, lobbying politicians to influence laws, and managing environmental and political consequences. Players must balance profit, demand, and corruption while navigating multiple endings, including global nuclear war or a dystopian eco-friendly future.

Oiligarchy: A Satirical Masterpiece or Propaganda? A Comprehensive Review

Introduction

Oiligarchy (2008), developed by the Italian collective Molleindustria, is a turn-based strategy game that places players in the role of an oil company CEO, tasked with maximizing profits while navigating the geopolitical and environmental consequences of their actions. Released during a period of heightened awareness about climate change and peak oil theory, Oiligarchy is both a biting satire and a provocative commentary on capitalism, corporate greed, and political corruption. This review will dissect the game’s development, narrative, gameplay mechanics, and legacy, offering a critical analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, and enduring relevance.

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Development History & Context

The Studio and Vision

Molleindustria, founded by Paolo Pedercini, is known for creating politically charged games that challenge conventional notions of entertainment. Their mission is to “free videogames from the dictatorship of entertainment,” using the medium to critique societal structures. Oiligarchy follows in the footsteps of earlier works like McDonald’s Videogame (2006), which similarly placed players in the role of a corporate villain to expose systemic issues.

Technological Constraints

Developed in Adobe Flash, Oiligarchy was designed for browser-based playability, reflecting the technological limitations of the late 2000s. The game’s simplicity in mechanics belies its depth in thematic exploration, a testament to Molleindustria’s ability to convey complex ideas within a constrained framework.

Gaming Landscape of 2008

The late 2000s saw a rise in “serious games” and “persuasive games,” which aimed to educate or influence players on real-world issues. Oiligarchy emerged alongside titles like World Without Oil (2007), an alternate reality game exploring energy crises. However, Oiligarchy distinguished itself through its unapologetic satire and dark humor, eschewing the earnestness of many educational games.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Setting

Oiligarchy begins in 1946, immediately after World War II, a period marked by the rapid expansion of the oil industry. Players start in Texas, drilling for oil and expanding operations to Alaska, Venezuela, Iraq, and Nigeria. The game’s narrative unfolds through newspaper headlines and events, which reflect real-world geopolitical tensions, environmental crises, and corporate malfeasance.

Characters and Dialogue

The game’s characters are archetypal representations of corporate executives, politicians, and activists. The dialogue, delivered through newspaper clippings and event descriptions, is laced with irony and dark humor. For example, the game’s depiction of U.S. political parties as interchangeable entities—represented by elephants (Republicans) and donkeys (Democrats)—highlights the cynical view that both parties are susceptible to corporate influence.

Underlying Themes

1. Peak Oil Theory: The game’s core mechanic is based on the Hubbert peak theory, which posits that oil production follows a bell curve, peaking before declining due to resource depletion. Oiligarchy uses this theory to illustrate the unsustainability of an oil-dependent economy.
2. Corporate Greed and Political Corruption: Players must lobby politicians, bribe governments, and even incite regime changes to maintain their monopoly. The game’s satire is at its sharpest when players manipulate elections or orchestrate false flag operations (e.g., planting anthrax to justify war).
3. Environmental Destruction: The game’s later stages depict the catastrophic consequences of unchecked oil consumption, including environmental degradation and societal collapse.
4. Anti-Capitalist Sentiment: Oiligarchy critiques capitalism’s inherent flaws, particularly its prioritization of profit over sustainability and human welfare.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

Oiligarchy is a turn-based strategy game where each turn represents a year. Players must:
1. Explore and Drill: Scout for oil reserves and establish wells.
2. Manage Resources: Balance oil production with demand, ensuring profitability.
3. Lobby and Corrupt: Influence politicians through donations to pass pro-oil legislation.
4. Defend and Expand: Hire mercenaries to protect wells from rebels and activists.

Combat and Conflict

While Oiligarchy lacks traditional combat, conflict is central to its gameplay. Players must suppress dissent in foreign countries (e.g., Nigeria, Iraq) through military force or bribery. The game’s depiction of these conflicts is deliberately exaggerated, emphasizing the absurdity of corporate-driven warfare.

Character Progression

Progression is tied to economic growth and political influence. As players accumulate wealth, they unlock new regions and special operations (e.g., regime changes, false flag attacks). However, the game’s progression is ultimately cyclical, as resource depletion leads to inevitable collapse.

UI and Innovations

The game’s UI is minimalist, with a side-scrolling map and action menus. While functional, it lacks the polish of mainstream strategy games. However, its simplicity allows players to focus on the game’s thematic depth rather than mechanical complexity.

Flawed Systems

1. Lack of Clarity: Some mechanics, such as the influence of political donations, are poorly explained, leading to confusion.
2. Repetitive Gameplay: The game’s later stages become tedious, as players repeatedly drill and lobby with little variation.
3. Overly Simplistic Model: While the game’s satire is effective, its economic and political models are overly reductive, failing to capture the nuances of real-world systems.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

Oiligarchy’s world is a caricature of reality, with exaggerated depictions of corporate greed and political corruption. The game’s art style is deliberately crude, reinforcing its satirical tone. The side-scrolling map, reminiscent of classic strategy games, grounds the experience in a familiar framework while subverting expectations.

Visual Direction

The game’s visuals are functional rather than aesthetically pleasing. The oil derricks, politicians, and activists are rendered in a cartoonish style, emphasizing the game’s satirical intent. The use of color is minimal, with a muted palette that reflects the game’s bleak themes.

Sound Design

The game’s soundtrack, composed by Jesse Stiles, features a repetitive, industrial beat that mimics the rhythm of oil drilling. The sound effects—such as the clanking of derricks and the chants of protesters—reinforce the game’s themes of mechanization and dissent.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception

Oiligarchy received mixed reviews upon release. While praised for its bold satire and thematic depth, it was criticized for its simplistic mechanics and overt political bias. The game’s average score of 3.4/5 on MobyGames reflects this divide, with players either embracing its message or dismissing it as propaganda.

Commercial Performance

As a free browser game, Oiligarchy did not generate direct revenue. However, its availability on platforms like AddictingGames and Games4Change ensured a wide audience, particularly among players interested in political and educational games.

Evolution of Reputation

Over time, Oiligarchy has been recognized as a pioneering example of politically charged gaming. Its influence can be seen in later titles like Papers, Please (2013) and This War of Mine (2014), which similarly explore moral dilemmas and systemic critiques. However, its reputation remains contentious, with some viewing it as a prescient warning and others as a heavy-handed polemic.

Influence on the Industry

Oiligarchy contributed to the growing discourse on games as a medium for social commentary. Its postmortem, published by Molleindustria, remains a valuable resource for developers interested in creating politically engaged games. The game’s emphasis on procedural rhetoric—using mechanics to convey themes—has inspired subsequent titles to explore similar approaches.

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Conclusion

Oiligarchy is a flawed but fascinating experiment in political gaming. Its strengths lie in its bold satire, thematic depth, and willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about capitalism and environmental destruction. However, its simplistic mechanics and overt bias limit its effectiveness as both a game and an educational tool.

Final Verdict: Oiligarchy is a provocative and thought-provoking experience that succeeds more as a piece of political art than as a game. While its mechanics are rudimentary and its message heavy-handed, its critique of corporate greed and political corruption remains relevant. For players willing to engage with its themes, Oiligarchy offers a darkly humorous and unsettling reflection on the consequences of unchecked capitalism.

Score: 7/10 – A bold but imperfect satire that challenges players to confront the moral dilemmas of corporate power.