The Contender: The Game of Presidential Debate (2015) Board Game

The Contender: The Game of Presidential Debate was released in 2015 by the design team Guts & Glory. It is a card game that simulates political debates, allowing players to take on the roles of candidates vying for the presidency. The game gained attention for its humorous take on the political process and its engaging gameplay.

Game Components of The Contender: The Game of Presidential Debate

Topic Cards: These cards present the debate topics.

Argument Cards: Players use these cards, which contain pre-written talking points and quotes from real U.S. politicians, to construct their arguments.

Moderator: Acts as the judge who determines the winner.

Base Deck: Includes 500 cards covering quotes from U.S. politicians from 1776 to 2015.

Expansions: Additional cards based on specific historical events, such as the 2016 primary season.

How To Setup The Contender: The Game of Presidential Debate

To set up the game, each player is given a set of Argument Cards. A Topic Card is drawn to determine the debate subject. Players combine their Argument Cards to create coherent and persuasive statements. The game is designed to be easy to set up and does not require prior knowledge of politics or debate skills.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Performance-Based: Players must read their combined Argument Cards aloud to convince the moderator.

Combination of Cards: Players combine multiple cards to create their arguments.

Responsive Gameplay: Players can respond to the topic, to other players’ statements, or introduce new points.

Objective: The goal is to convince the moderator to vote for you by presenting the most convincing or entertaining argument.

Player Experience

The game offers a fun and interactive way to engage with political rhetoric without needing any actual knowledge of politics. It allows introverts to compete evenly with extroverts and is enjoyed by groups with diverse political beliefs. The game is family-friendly and is used in schools to teach the power of rhetoric in debate.

Pros

Easy to Learn: No prior knowledge of politics or debate skills required.

Inclusive: Suitable for introverts and extroverts, and for people with different political beliefs.

Educational: Used in schools to teach about rhetoric.

Entertaining: Combines elements of games like Cards Against Humanity with political tropes.

Cons

Potential for Overwhelming Content: The large number of cards can be overwhelming for some players.

Dependence on Moderator: The outcome heavily depends on the moderator’s subjective judgment.

Personal Thoughts on The Contender: The Game of Presidential Debate

**The Contender** is ideal for those who enjoy social card games, political satire, and interactive performance. It is a great tool for teaching rhetorical skills in a fun and engaging way, making it suitable for schools and family gatherings. The game’s ability to bring together people with different political views adds to its appeal, fostering a lighthearted and humorous approach to political discourse. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a more strategic or complex game mechanic.

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