1960: The Making of the President
- Designer Christian Leonhard , Jason Matthews
- Publisher GMT Games , Z-Man Games , Filosofia Éditions , Gabinete Lúdico , HIT Games
- Illustration Josh Cappel , Donal Hegarty , Christian Leonhard , Rodger B. MacGowan , Jason Matthews
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players take on the roles of John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon in the closely contested 1960 U.S. presidential election. Using a card-driven system, players deploy campaign points across a historical electoral map and play event cards representing key moments like televised debates and Eisenhower’s endorsement. The game combines hand management and area majority mechanics to simulate political, social, and economic challenges during the Cold War era.
Who Is This Game For?
This game is aimed at experienced hobbyists interested in political history and strategic two-player games. With a playing time around 120 minutes, it demands patience and planning. Prior experience with campaign-driven and hand-management games is recommended, as there is no solo mode and the rules are complex.
How It Works
1960 uses hand management and campaign/battle card-driven mechanics where players play event and action cards to gain influence in different U.S. regions. Area majority determines electoral votes won in each state. The game includes subsystems for debates and election day that dynamically affect the campaign’s outcome, requiring tactical resource management.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Christian Leonhard and Jason Matthews, 1960: The Making of the President was nominated for the Jogo do Ano and Meeples Choice Award in 2007 and won the International Gamers Award for General Strategy; Two-players in 2008. It is a benchmark game combining political simulation with campaign mechanics in the historical two-player genre.
Awards
2008
2008
- 2007 Jogo do Ano — Nominated
- 2007 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Authentic political simulation with historic event cards
- Engaging two-player campaign with strategic depth
- Recognized by multiple prestigious awards
- Combines hand management with area majority mechanics
Contra
- No solo mode included
- Long playing time around 120 minutes
- Complex rules require prior gaming experience
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game centers on the 1960 U.S. presidential election during the Cold War, featuring historical events and social challenges in 1960s America.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus first on understanding the card mechanics and regional influence to manage your resources effectively.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, 1960: The Making of the President is designed exclusively for two players.
How long does a game really take?
Gameplay lasts about 120 minutes, plus additional setup time.
What prior experience do I need?
This is a medium to heavy game; familiarity with campaign-driven and hand management games is helpful.
How does this compare to similar games?
1960 stands out by combining political simulation with event cards that faithfully recreate historic campaign moments.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to its complexity and minimum age of 12, it is better suited for adult hobbyists than families with young children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The game uniquely blends hand management with area majority/influence in a campaign-driven setting.
Fazit
Highly recommended for players who appreciate political history and tactical two-player competition. The game's length and complexity require commitment and focus.
