Fantasy Congress

Fantasy Congress is an online game structured like fantasy sports where data gathered about congress is converted into points. Players create teams of individuals elected to the US House and Senate and members of congress acquire points based on legislative activity. Like fantasy sports, teams compete in small groups called leagues. At the end of the "season", each team with the most points in their league wins.[1]

Fantasy Congress
Type of site
Fantasy sport
URLhttps://www.fantasycongress.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationRequired to play
Launched2018

History

Fantasy Congress was initially launched in 2006 as an online fantasy sport simulation where players would draft members of the United States House and Senate and keep track of their participation within the U.S. Congress.[2] A congressperson's actions, especially within the process of making and amending pieces of legislation, were recorded and rated as a cumulative total number of points against other players.[3]

This version of Fantasy Congress, which ran from 2006 to 2009, was meant to appeal to both recreational and educational players. It offered a wide range of links and research tools to help players in choosing their members of Congress.[4][5] The creators believed the game could make the government more accountable.[3]

In 2018 the Fantasy Congress website was revived under new ownership.[6] This version of fantasy congress encouraged players to predict which individuals were most likely to get elected, instead of their legislative success. The game has since reverted to following the legislative activity of Congress, similar to its predecessor.[7]

Gameplay

In the original version of Fantasy Congress, points were calculated based on "Legislative success" (including co-sponsored legislation and amendments), voting attendance, "Maverick Score" (the willingness of a member of Congress to cross party lines in close party votes), and noteworthy news mentions.[8] Legislative success was the progress of a congressperson's sponsored or cosponsored legislation through the U.S. legislative process, all the way up to the President's signature or veto. Also, small legislative actions counted for points, such as amendments and changes to the legislation.[4]

The 2018 version of Fantasy Congress began with players drafting candidates running for office. During the election season, candidates acquired points based on how much money they raised, frequency of media mentions, and their percentage of the vote in the election.[6] Similar to fantasy sports, players could drop candidates from their roster and add new ones throughout the season. Teams won by collecting the most points in their league by the end of the season.

References
  1. McGrady, Clyde (October 20, 2020). "If you thought fantasy football was wonky, try Fantasy Congress". Roll Call. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  2. Chang, cindy (October 3, 2006). "Fantasy Sports? Child's Play. Here, Politics Is the Game". New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  3. Venkataraman, Nitya (October 24, 2006). "Video Games, Internet Sites Going Political". ABC News. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  4. Blancato, Joe (30 October 2007). "Fantasy Congress". The Escapist. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  5. "History of Fantasy Congress". Fantasy Congress. Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  6. Mills, Sarah (July 27, 2018). "Fantasy Sports and Politics? New Online Game 'Fantasy Congress' Gives Midterm Elections a Fresh Spin". Conatus News. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  7. https://fantasycongress.com/about/
  8. NEARY, LYNN (November 14, 2006). "Push Your Agenda in Fantasy Congress". NPR. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
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