Fight for America!

Presented by the american vicarious

Fight for America! is a live performance installation that merges art, game design, and immersive storytelling.

At its core is a large-scale tabletop wargame that delves into the events of January 6th, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol, posing the question: What about America is worth fighting for?

Fight for America! invites participants to confront political extremism, division, and the repercussions of a win-at-all-costs mentality, challenging us to reconsider our understanding of America’s political landscape.

Through gameplay, we aim to reflect on how division threatens the very foundations of democracy.

Produced by the american vicarious in partnership with 55B
Created by artists Neal Wilkinson and Christopher McElroen
Game Design by Alessio Cavatore

"Our goal is to examine the forces driving division in America and invite players to reflect on the state of democracy through participation in the game."

Fight for America!
“I'm not sure if there has been a game exactly like this before. This is a really interesting and unusual event, maybe a historic first of some kind.”

Naomi Clark
Game Designer, NYU Professor, Head of NYU Game Center
Excerpt from Jennifer Vanasco’s NPR piece, “January 6th ... the board game?”
"What about America is worth fighting for? My response yielded more of an ideal than a reality — a commitment to equality, protection of the most vulnerable, and a rejection of the violent oppression the country was unequivocally built on."

Rowan Zeoli, Rascal

About the Art

Photos by Jason Elon Goodman Photography

At the heart of Fight for America! is a large-scale tabletop wargame designed by Alessio Cavatore (Warhammer 40K, Bolt Action) that explores the events of January 6th, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. This immersive game invites participants to engage with the dynamics of political extremism and division, making strategic decisions that reflect the high stakes of the day.

Featuring 12,000 hand-painted 28mm miniatures and a 1:64 scale model of the U.S. Capitol, the game brings the events of January 6th to life with striking realism. The miniatures represent key figures and groups involved in the attack, serving as both game pieces and symbols of the forces shaping America's political landscape.

Designed for up to 20 players, the game unfolds through strategic decisions, negotiations, and confrontations. The goal is not just to win but to confront the fragility of democracy and the challenges of unity in a polarized society.