A friend points me to a new Apple video game, Dictator:

You are the young dictator of a fledgling democratic republic. Anyone would dream of being in your place, because you wield unlimited power.

You must make wise and timely decisions, eliminate scheming enemies, pay tribute to true friends, deftly plot, expose conspiracies and, of course, diligently look after the welfare of your large and happy family.

Only you know how to outwit the insatiable public prosecutors and greedy oligarchs, how to silence the determined opposition and to keep the military who are eyeing your seat in check. Only you are able to rein in the ignorant masses and prevent revolution, because you are the legitimate dictator of your country.

Dictate the fashion of the day to millions of people – their gaze is riveted only upon you.
Your task is to remain being the dictator as long as possible!
Determine your approach to each of the 6 factions!
Make 1,000 critical decisions!
Weave plots and unravel conspiracies!
Prevent revolution!

Glorify yourself in the history of your country for centuries to come.

File under “Sad but true”?

Tempting, but I had to go cold turkey on video games about 20 years ago. Especially these strategy games, like Civ III. I played compulsively until I not only achieved world domination, but managed to win all five ways simultaneously.

That probably reveals unflattering things about my personality.