The President (1983) – Board Game Guys

The President

The Making of the President is a board game simulation of the 1960 U.S. presidential election in which Senator John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Vice-President Richard M. Nixon. It was created by Jason Matthews and Christian Leonhard and published by Z-Man Games in 2007. The game is card-driven, with each candidate being dealt several cards per turn that can be spent to campaign, advertise, or position on issues. Each card also has a specific event that influences the campaign. The game is played on an electoral map of the United States, circa 1960, where opponents travel from one state to the other, hoping to win local support and then hold on to it until the election day.

Why is The President Popular?

The Making of the President is widely recognized as the best U.S. presidential election game ever published and has won several awards, including the International Gamers Award in 2008 for “Best 2-Player Game” in the General Strategy category. The game is significant because it provides players with the opportunity to relive and even rewrite history by simulating the 1960 U.S. presidential election. It is also a challenging, clever, and tight contest that is very much in the spirit of the moment it tries to evoke.

Game Components of The President

Game board

Player tokens

Nomination cards

Campaign funds

Voter opinion cards

Event cards

How To Setup The President

To set up the game, players first choose their tokens and place them on the starting position on the board. Each player receives a set amount of campaign funds and nomination cards. The voter opinion and event cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The game board is laid out to represent different states and regions, each with its own voting weight.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: The primary goal is to win the nomination of your party and then secure the most electoral votes to become the President.

Mechanics:
– Area Control: Players compete to influence voters in different regions.
– Resource Management: Players manage campaign funds to execute various strategies.
– Card Play: Nomination cards, voter opinion cards, and event cards are used to sway voters and disrupt opponents.
– Strategic Planning: Players must balance short-term gains with long-term strategies to secure the nomination and win the election.

Player Experience

Playing **The President** involves a mix of strategic planning, resource management, and a bit of luck. Players need to carefully manage their campaign funds, use nomination cards effectively, and navigate the challenges presented by voter opinion and event cards. The game encourages players to think like real political candidates, making it both educational and engaging.

Pros

Educational Value: Provides insight into the U.S. electoral process.

Strategic Depth: Offers a rich gameplay experience with multiple layers of strategy.

Replayability: The random nature of the cards ensures each game is unique.

Engaging Theme: The political theme can spark interesting discussions and strategies.

Cons

Complexity: The game can be complex for new players, requiring a learning curve.

Luck Factor: The draw of certain cards can significantly impact the game’s outcome.

Lengthy Gameplay: Games can be quite long, especially with multiple players.

Personal Thoughts on The President

**The President** is ideal for those who enjoy strategy games, are interested in politics, or appreciate games with a historical or educational twist. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and length, it is a great choice for groups looking for a deep and engaging board game experience.

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