In the heat of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris is breaking new ground in reaching out to a demographic often overlooked in political campaigns: gamers. Her campaign has launched ‘Freedom Town, USA’, a customized Fortnite map designed to resonate with younger voters and showcase her platform’s key aspects.
This innovative approach, reported by IGN, sees ‘Freedom Town, USA’ go live in Fortnite Creative, inviting players to explore a world themed around Harris’ campaign promises. From tax breaks for small businesses to a focus on affordable housing, the map brings these policies to life in a digital environment. Gamers can access this experience using the code 733155366547, and popular Fortnite content creators like Jordan “Huskerss” Thomas and MODELMORG are already showcasing the map to their audiences.
Beyond offering a fun gaming experience, ‘Freedom Town, USA’ serves as a platform for engaging players in discussions about important political issues. Harris’ outreach to young, male voters through gaming extends beyond this map. The campaign recently hosted a Geeks & Nerds for Harris fundraiser, featuring Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who streamed games like Madden NFL and Crazy Taxi on Twitch. The campaign has also placed ads across mobile games, sports betting platforms, and YouTube channels, demonstrating a strategic effort to reach younger audiences.
Harris’ strategy presents a stark contrast to former President Donald Trump’s past stance on video games. During his presidency, Trump attributed the influence of violent video games to issues like the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. His administration even released a reel featuring violent games, suggesting their negative impact on youth.
In light of this history, Harris’ gaming initiative is a refreshing shift in political communication. Instead of focusing on blame, Harris’ campaign embraces engagement and community building through a medium that resonates with young voters. ‘Freedom Town, USA’ is one of at least eight politically themed Fortnite maps featuring custom models, signage, and thematic audio cues, including a notable quote from Trump: “they’re eating the dogs, eating the cats.”
Harris’ campaign has cleverly harnessed the power of gaming to reach a generation often considered politically disengaged. Whether this innovative approach will resonate with voters and influence their choices remains to be seen, but it certainly marks a unique and potentially impactful approach to political campaigning.
