Sun Feb 16 12:30:00 UTC 2025: ## New Board Game Uses Jan. 6th as a Tool for Political Dialogue

**Brooklyn, NY** – A new tabletop war game, “Fight for America!”, is using the events of January 6th, 2021, as a unique framework for encouraging bipartisan dialogue and understanding. Developed by the American Vicarious, a non-profit arts organization, and designed by Alessio Cavatore (known for Warhammer and Lord of the Rings games), the game pits “Red Team” players, simulating the attack on the Capitol, against a “Blue Team” defending it.

Players are assigned characters based on real individuals present at the Capitol that day, using custom-painted miniature figures and dice to strategize on a large-scale replica of the building. A recent test run in Brooklyn saw participants, including game designers and academics, immersed in a surprisingly intense experience.

While initially met with skepticism by some players, the game’s creators emphasize its artistic intent: to foster conversation and empathy across the political divide. The game’s structure, mimicking the chaotic events of January 6th, naturally leads players to consider motivations and strategies from opposing viewpoints. The game culminates in a vote on the fate of Vice President Mike Pence, forcing players to confront their own perspectives and the implications of their choices.

The game’s impact on participants has been varied. While some found the experience unsettling, others reported a newfound understanding of the opposing side’s sense of community and shared goals, albeit within a context many found deeply troubling. The creators hope that the game will stimulate broader conversations about American democracy and the importance of participation, even when dealing with highly sensitive and divisive events.

“Fight for America!” is set to officially launch in London this spring, with plans for a wider US rollout. The game’s unusual approach is already generating significant interest as a novel tool for exploring political polarization through the lens of interactive storytelling.

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