Presidential candidates are known for slinging mud, but now they’re also swinging swords and nunchucks as AtomFilms (www.atomfilms.com) debuts Kung-Fu Election, an interactive game and animated music video arriving just in time for the 2008 primary season. Democratic frontrunners Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Bill Richardson take on Republican counterparts Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mike Huckabee in bloody death matches at www.kungfuelection.com.
Created by Jason Oda in collaboration with BrandFirst Ent., the branded content division of The Martin Agency, the game invites players to choose their favorite candidate for mortal combat using an array of special weapons and martial arts moves. Those who are not into online gaming can visit the site just to see the animated rap video, in which such hot 2008 issues as global warming, the Middle East and health care are debated with punches, kicks and slices.
A division of Viacom’s MTVN Entertainment Group, AtomFilms is a pioneer in online video. The site has hosted a number of widely viewed animated shorts, including JibJab’s 2004 election parody, This Land, Aardman’s Angry Kid and fanfilm favorite Star Wars Gangsta Rap.
