IT’S game-on for the election – as an SNP candidate takes her Scottish Parliament campaign into the virtual world.

Now on its fourth edition, The Sims franchise is one of the gaming world’s biggest hits, selling around 200million copies around the globe.

The immersive challenge sees players simulate real life by creating characters, designing their homes and getting them jobs, friends, pets, hobbies and more.

The digital smash has now taken another step closer to real-life as SNP candidate Michelle Thomson invites voters to back her Holyrood bid in the game.

She’s launched a range of SNP t-shirts for human and even cat and dog characters – inspired by Thomson’s Border Terrier Benjy – plus banners to decorate their homes and even a hairstyle with an SNP headband.

Her team has also used animation from The Sims to create campaign videos featuring key SNP policies like baby boxes and free prescriptions.

The National:

A campaign source said: “Many candidates have been very active across a variety of social media, but none so far have used the concept of getting in-game content designed to promote both a candidate and party policies.”

The bespoke Sims 4 content is free to download and has been created in conjunction with local designer and activist Jennifer Potter as part of Thomson’s campaign to win Falkirk East on May 6. Its long-serving MSP Angus Macdonald, also of the SNP, is stepping down after ten years in the post.

Potter, who is graduating from her fashion knitwear design course at Nottingham Trent University this summer, told the Sunday National: “In the past activists would hand out badges, wrist bands and other merchandise to help promote the party and get our message out, but, understandably, normal campaigning had to be cancelled.

“Thinking about how to campaign differently in a different campaign, I decided to create a range of free downloadable merchandise for The Sims 4 computer game.

“I have experience in creating digital clothing from my degree work. I based the designs on SNP merchandise already available in order to link it as closely as possible with the visuals of the party.

“I also used a ‘maxis match’ style, so the clothing works seamlessly with pre-existing content in The Sims 4 game and on lower-end computers.”

Commenting, Thomson said: “The constraints on this campaign have been necessary and our priority was to ensure that our team and the public was kept safe during the pandemic.

“However, where there is change there is always opportunity, and a different type of campaign means we should campaign differently.”

“I put a call out to my branches for creative ideas and was delighted when Jennifer Potter came up with the idea to design a game where Sims characters can choose to dress in SNP and Yes clothes to promote the positive messages of our campaign”.

Instructions on accessing the material are available at Thomson's youtube page.