Game Info for Teachers

Description

Nation Builders is an educational city-building game set in the United States during the early 19th century, where students construct a city as a metaphor for the formation of American national identity. Through historical decisions represented by buildings, monuments, and institutions, players experience the political, economic, and cultural challenges that shaped the nation after the War of 1812. Each construction or action affects key meters such as Economy, Culture, Communication, Federal Power, and Regional Relations, all of which directly influence the National Identity meter. The game progresses through a series of historically grounded events, including the creation of national symbols, cultural development, Henry Clay’s American System, judicial nationalism, regional tensions, and the observations of thinkers like Alexis de Tocqueville. With a clean and accessible 2D visual style, Nation Builders emphasizes learning through experience. Rather than memorizing facts, students explore how historical decisions shaped the development of a unified nation. Designed for learners ages 11–14, the game turns complex historical processes into meaningful, interactive gameplay.

Vocabulary Words