‘Anti-war wargame’ Chicago ’68 is an impeccably timed board game

As a seasoned board game enthusiast and Chicago native, I can’t help but be captivated by Yoni Goldstein’s upcoming creation, “Chicago ’68”. Having lived through the tumultuous era of the 1968 Democratic National Convention myself, albeit from a safer distance than some, I find it fascinating how history continues to inspire and shape our present-day experiences.

Back in the sweltering summer of 2020, I found myself gazing out my window at a troubling sight – a row of officers marching towards protestors, individuals who lived in my very own neighborhood, rallying against the senseless death of George Floyd. Instantaneously, my mind was flooded with an indelible image that resonated strongly among Chicagoans – the demonstrations during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, where a line of powder-blue helmets faced off against a line of protestors, much like what I saw today.

Thinking of activists in action, both old and new, planted the seed of an idea in the rookie gamemaker’s mind. And the result of that pang of inspiration — a board game titled Chicago ’68 — launches on Kickstarter Aug. 6.

In the first week of July, Goldstein had a conversation with TopMob, during which he characterized the 1968 event in Chicago as an “anti-war simulation of sorts.” This game set The Establishment (which encompassed the Democratic National Committee, then-mayor Richard J. Daley, and the notorious Chicago political machine) against The Protesters, a diverse group comprising the Youth International Party, street entertainers, and various other activists.

Goldstein proposed a different approach for his design, instead of incorporating historical figures and incidents as singular, isolated events within the game (similar to what’s found in games like Twilight Struggle or Labyrinth: The War on Terror), he opted for using cards as a “selection of actions.” Each player utilizes two distinct decks – one named the Leadership Deck and another called the Rank and File Deck. These decks enable players to not only influence the game’s progression but also to move their units and engage in street combat directly.

The Establishment’s goal is straightforward: Protect the convention delegates and minimize the impact these protests have on choosing a Presidential nominee. The Demonstrators, in turn, are working to embarrass The Establishment and hijack the convention in order to nominate their own chosen candidate for the Presidency.

To clarify, Goldstein’s design isn’t like the popular board game “Risk” where players conquer territories. Instead, it shares similarities with strategic games such as “Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right” and Volko Ruhnke’s counter-insurgency series. It’s a complex battlefield with multiple front lines; one within the physical space surrounding the convention, and the other on television screens globally.

“Goldstein stated that the protesters can be seen as acting like insurgents, while the police respond as counter-insurgents. The challenge lies in preventing the protesters from accessing sensitive areas of the convention center. The map shows various historically significant sites during the convention week. As the authority, you aim to keep the demonstrators confined to the parks. However, the demonstrators are encroaching upon hotels like the Hilton (where delegates stay) or the convention center itself, or clashing with police on Michigan Avenue.”

Goldstein suggests that both parties have a motivation to invade each other’s territories due to the disparate effects of media exposure, which varies based on where conflicts occur. In this case, The Demonstrators find it advantageous to infiltrate the DNC and demonstrate on the floor, as such actions can generate significant publicity for their cause. Conversely, The Establishment seeks to push the boundaries back into parks, where they can visibly dismantle encampments and suppress unrest, thereby garnering media attention.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve recently dived into an engaging title that simulates the climactic final three days of the 1968 Democratic National Convention in just five rounds. So far, the playtests have been nothing short of exceptional, according to Goldstein.

Indeed, when Goldstein initially conceptualized the game over four years ago, the political landscape in the U.S. was markedly distinct from what it is now. For instance, the Democratic National Committee had not yet chosen Chicago for the 2024 DNC convention. Moreover, President Joe Biden was expected to be the nominee instead of Kamala Harris. Looking back, our conversation on July 3 seems to have foreshadowed the circumstances we’re experiencing today.

As the August convention draws nearer this year, Goldstein remarked on that call that Joe Biden appears increasingly similar to Lyndon B. Johnson. The Democratic Party is experiencing a great deal of internal conflict, along with discontent from people who feel estranged by traditional politics. There will undoubtedly be protests in Chicago, encompassing not only radical and militant actions but also artistic and expressive performances directed at the Democrats.

“I believe there will be numerous instances of repetition and familiarity with past events, although it won’t be an exact replica of 1968. History is set to repeat itself, and Chicago is a significant location where we must learn from the past, adapt our strategies, and become more effective advocates for justice in today’s world.”

The fundraising drive for the upcoming book titled “Chicago ’68,” published by The Dietz Foundation, continues until September 5th.

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2024-08-06 19:19