C&C in realtà

John Tyler Hammons, fino a poco tempo fa una matricola all'università di Oklahoma, simili a gioco storia-ha basato i giochi come Roma: Guerra totale. “Che è mai il video gioco migliore,„ i 19 anni - vecchio PTD detto a recentemente mentre levandosi in piedi nel lotto di parcheggio della città corridoio in Muskogee, una Comunità di appena sotto 40.000 in Oklahoma orientale. “Storia di amore di I - ho un busto di Julius Caesar nel mio ufficio,„ lui sono continuato, indicando un pollice sopra la sua spalla alla costruzione imponente dietro lui.

Il suo ufficio?

L'OH, non lo abbiamo accennato? Hammons è stato scelto sindaco di Muskogee il 13 maggio! Hammons e cinque altri hanno funzionato per l'ufficio in una campagna che ha provocato i 19 anni - vecchio gamer e 70 anni - vecchio Herschel McBride (un ex sindaco di tre-termine) che combatte per la parte del leone del getto di voti, anche se nessuno hanno esatto la maggioranza di 50% necessaria per vincere l'elezione iniziale. Nello scolo finale, tuttavia, Hammons ha esatto una vittoria libera che vince 70% del voto finale. The new young mayor has now moved from dorm room to Council Chambers.

PTD caught up with Mayor Hammons on Tuesday, May 20, the day after he took the Oath of Office and just an hour after his first round of official meetings at City Hall. He was lingering in City Hall’s parking lot with fellow gamers Matt Price and Chris Reese, talking to a Muskogee Police Department officer. Hammons credits his win over McBride to his use of the Internet to build a grassroots political base and to overwhelming support from the Muskogee Fire and Police Departments. After spending just $5,000 on his campaign, Hammons plans to explore local campaign finance issues while on the Council. When PTD asked about other future political plans, he said, “I hope to own a PS3 soon” - and grinned.

Hammons has always been interested in politics, serving as senior class president at Muskogee High School in 2007 and as president of both the Young Republicans and the Young Democrats clubs (a true bi-partisan?). Hammons is a registered Republican now, however, and will be Oklahoma’s youngest delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis this September.

“Eventually I plan to run for governor,” Hammons said, “although you have to be 31-years old to do that.” And after the governorship? You guessed it: President John Tyler Hammons has a nice ring.
But enough about politics.

“I like all the Mario titles,” Hammons said, “Super Smash Bros. Brawl is one of my favorites - I’ll play anything with Mario in it.”

He hasn’t played the recently-released Mario Kart Wii yet, but is looking forward to doing so: “As soon as I can borrow it from my buddy here,” he said, pointing to Price. Super Mario Sunshine is another favorite of the young mayor.

“I like most RPG & shooter games,” Hammons said, “And I enjoy civilization-building games.”
With his new duties, gaming may have to take a back-burner to running Muskogee’s municipal government, a sacrifice Hammons is willing to make for now. He’s also transferring from the University of Oklahoma in Norman to Northeastern Oklahoma University in Muskogee in order to be closer to the action.

How will Hammon’s latest RPG play out IRL? Stay tuned - we’ll let you know if skills learned from Rome: Total War actually work in the Council Chamber.

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