Podium Clock

Podium Clock is the second switch in the debate box on the setup screen. It only matters when Presidential Debates is also on. With the switch on, each answer in a debate is written against a countdown instead of a character limit. The setup screen explains that answers are written against the clock rather than a character limit, and that whatever has been typed is submitted when the moderator calls time.

How the clock works

The clock starts each time it is the President's turn to speak, in every round of a debate and again after the moderator or opponent pushes back. A countdown appears on screen and turns red as time runs low. When it reaches zero, the answer already typed is submitted as it stands, even if it is empty. The round is then scored on that answer like any other answer.

With the clock switched on, the box no longer enforces a strict character limit while typing, though it still shows a generous ceiling well above what a player can type in the time given.

Without the clock

With the switch off, there is no timer. Each answer is capped at a set number of characters, and the send button will not send anything over that limit. The debate itself plays the same way either way: the same rounds, the same opponent, the same scoring.

Access

Podium Clock is available only in the modern era, and only with a premium account, since it applies to the debate minigame rather than the ordinary debate event. A free account is offered an upgrade instead of the switch. It also appears on the career builder, off by default, alongside the other options for the office being played.