Game Overview: Campaign Manager 2008 and 1960: Making of the President
(Subtitle: Joe’s photographical incompetence makes a return)
If you’ve met me for at least one second, you know that I am an unabashedly political person. (In some sense, you all are too because politics is life and versa vice.) And now that the legislative session is over, I am looking for something to sate my partisan appetite until Guv Dayton wrangles the “Terrible 201” back to Skank Paul for some “special” session goodness.
Thank God for board games, specifically Campaign Manager 2008 and 1960: Making of the President.
Despite having the same two designers, the games have some immediate differences and similarities. We see that the designers (who are the same for both games!) have chosen to put the year in different places. I read this to indicate that they were intending to shock us with “1960” as if this year had really existed. You’ll also notice that 1960 has been laid in the “Landscape” alignment whereas 2008 is in “Portrait”. Does this speak to the fact that we now live in a more “image” based culture? No, it doesn’t, although we do, it speaks to the fact that 2008 is a lighter game with less fewer components.
Here you see the rule book size comparison. 2008 definitely has a lot less going on at one given time. Less Fewer cards, less fewer states in play [Edit: Jeff is helping me learn English.], less table space, but still the same number of presidential candidates! (that get to play the game, anyway. Sorry Chuck Baldwin!) Let’s open up 2008 first and see what’s inside:
Here we see the four states that are in play, the victory track, the “going negative” chart, and (in case you can’t read it) a “ZNN” Update that asks something like “Is Palin really qualified?” (Spoiler: No. She’s not!) I would have preferred the “Palin interview shows turkey being slaughtered in background” but I think that took place after the election.
The game is played with each player choosing 15 of the 45 available cards for your candidate. They generally allow you to “gain support in minority issue” or “move issue marker one space toward defense” or “change key demographic to Spoiled Brat Limousine Liberals.” In this instance, the Obama player has won Minnesota because she has turned all voters in the “Majority Issue” (this case: Economy [every state has the same two issues available, Defense and Economy]) so she adds the blue MN bar to her victory track and puts another state in play.
Here’s an example of some of the cards available. Remember these jokers? Rick Warren? The word “Mavericky”? The Governator and Oprah? I really hope I forget all of this by 2014. I’m drinking like I’m trying to, anyway.
Now onto 1960, an election I don’t even believe happened. This game has two things that give it a huge advantage over 2008.
A shit ton of wooden cubes, and a board.
It also has a lot more complexity. Every state is in play (Who knew Alaska was a state back then??), you have to manage media, momentum, and issues, and there are so many choices you have with the cards in your hand I imagine it could be overwhelming when you first give ‘er a shot. (Disclaimer: I have not taken ‘er for a spin.)
Basically you run around the grand old US of A and try to place a bunch of the wooden cubes of your color on the state’s seal. If you have four on a state, it makes it very difficult for your opponent to gain ground.
About Halfway through the game, you also have a “debate” where the Nixon player has to spritz water on his face and look gross and sweaty.
There are also many more cards involved in this game. Also: Nixon’s Knee? What? Guess I wasn’t around for that one.
Anyway, both games look pretty fun. Jeff and I played a round of 2008 and his John McCain murdered my Barry O’Bomber. I’ve read that there are not very many viable strategies in 2008 which can make for limited replay value but considering how stupid I am, I doubt I will ever figure them out. 1960 looks like it will be a much more tense and brain drainy game but the mechanics strike me as relatively simple and possibly a good gateway into more complex war-type games.
In any event, let me know if these whacky mudslinging games intrigue you and I will play them with you—I’ll even let you be Katie Couric if you want.
