Adam Bernstein, a solo developer from Richmond, Virginia operating under Sunny Demeanor Games, announced the first-ever video game biographies about three iconic American presidents. The trilogy launching in 2026 includes Important People of History: Presidents – Thomas Jefferson alongside games about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. These visual novels feature authentic photographs of historical sites that Bernstein personally visited, creating educational experiences that blend history education with interactive storytelling.
- Why Thomas Jefferson Deserves His Own Game
- What The Game Actually Covers
- The Visual Novel Format For Education
- The Complete Presidential Trilogy
- Solo Development Challenges And Advantages
- The 250th Anniversary Timing
- Educational Games Market Realities
- Addressing The Slavery Question
- What Success Looks Like
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Why Thomas Jefferson Deserves His Own Game
Thomas Jefferson ranks among America’s most consequential founding fathers as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and the nation’s third president from 1801 to 1809. His accomplishments include the Louisiana Purchase which doubled the size of the United States, commissioning the Lewis and Clark Expedition that explored the newly acquired western territories, and founding the University of Virginia. Jefferson advocated for religious freedom, separation of church and state, and democratic republicanism that shaped American political philosophy.
Yet Jefferson remains one of history’s most complex and controversial figures. He wrote eloquently about equality while enslaving over 600 people throughout his lifetime at his Monticello plantation. He fathered children with Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman who could not legally consent to their relationship. This fundamental contradiction between Jefferson’s ideals and his actions makes him simultaneously inspiring and troubling, worthy of examination rather than simple heroism or condemnation.
Important People of History: Presidents – Thomas Jefferson promises to address this complexity head-on. Bernstein explicitly mentions Jefferson’s status as a slaveholder in promotional materials, referring to Monticello as a plantation rather than simply a residence. When Reddit users questioned whether the game would cover Jefferson’s exploitation of enslaved people, Bernstein confirmed: “The game will address the issue of Thomas Jefferson’s status as a slaveholder.” This acknowledgment suggests a willingness to present nuanced historical truth rather than sanitized patriotic mythology.
What The Game Actually Covers
The Thomas Jefferson game covers the lead-up to the American Revolution, including pivotal moments like the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech, and Paul Revere’s midnight ride. Players experience the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence, arguably Jefferson’s most lasting contribution to world history. The game then explores his presidential accomplishments including the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the First Barbary War against North African pirates.
Rather than relying on artist recreations or stock historical images, the visual novel features authentic photographs of locations as they appear today. Bernstein personally visited these sites to capture images, including Jefferson’s Monticello residence and burial site in Charlottesville, Virginia; the room in Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the Declaration was signed; Colonial Williamsburg where Jefferson studied at the College of William and Mary; the building in Paris where he served as US Minister to France from 1785 to 1789; the Jefferson Memorial; and the National Archives rotunda displaying the Declaration alongside the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
This photographic approach creates a tangible connection between past and present. Modern visitors can stand in the same rooms where history unfolded, walk the same grounds Jefferson walked, and see how these locations have been preserved or changed across centuries. By showing players what these sites actually look like rather than idealized paintings, Bernstein grounds abstract historical concepts in concrete physical reality.
The Visual Novel Format For Education
Visual novels work remarkably well for educational content despite being primarily associated with Japanese romance games and indie narrative experiments. The format combines text-based storytelling with still images, music, and occasional player choices to create interactive reading experiences. Unlike action games requiring reflexes or puzzle games demanding spatial reasoning, visual novels focus entirely on comprehension and decision-making, making them accessible to players of all skill levels and ages.
Educational visual novels have proven successful in other contexts. Games like Bury Me My Love tackled Syrian refugee experiences, 1979 Revolution: Black Friday explored the Iranian Revolution, and The Republia Times examined propaganda and authoritarian control. These titles demonstrated that serious historical and political subjects translate effectively to visual novel format when developers prioritize authentic representation and meaningful choices over entertainment spectacle.
For American history education specifically, visual novels offer advantages over textbooks or documentaries. Players actively engage with content rather than passively consuming it. The interactive nature creates investment in outcomes that static media cannot match. Presenting historical figures as characters with dialogue and motivations humanizes them beyond dates and facts, while player choices can demonstrate how different decisions might have altered historical outcomes, teaching cause-and-effect relationships that memorization alone never conveys.
The Complete Presidential Trilogy
Important People of History: Presidents – George Washington covers the first president’s role commanding Continental Army forces during the Revolutionary War, his presidency establishing precedents for executive power, and his voluntary relinquishment of authority that prevented America from becoming a monarchy. Players visit Mount Vernon, Yorktown where the Revolution concluded, and other sites central to Washington’s life and military campaigns.
Important People of History: Presidents – Abraham Lincoln examines the 16th president who preserved the Union during the Civil War and abolished slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment. The game features Civil War battlefields including Gettysburg, Antietam, Vicksburg, and Manassas; Fort Sumter where the war began; Appomattox where it ended; Lincoln’s home and law office in Springfield, Illinois; Ford’s Theatre where he was assassinated; and the Lincoln Memorial.
Together, the trilogy spans America’s founding through its greatest crisis, covering Washington’s creation of the presidency, Jefferson’s expansion of the nation, and Lincoln’s preservation of the Union. These three presidents consistently rank among historians’ top five greatest American presidents alongside Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, making them natural choices for biographical games introducing players to American history’s pivotal moments.
| President | Key Achievements | Major Historical Sites |
|---|---|---|
| George Washington | Led Continental Army, first president, established executive precedents | Mount Vernon, Yorktown, Valley Forge |
| Thomas Jefferson | Wrote Declaration of Independence, Louisiana Purchase, founded UVA | Monticello, Independence Hall, Williamsburg |
| Abraham Lincoln | Preserved Union, abolished slavery, Emancipation Proclamation | Gettysburg, Ford’s Theatre, Lincoln Memorial |
Solo Development Challenges And Advantages
Adam Bernstein develops all three presidential games solo while also running Sunny Demeanor Games, which has released other titles including A Weekend in Puzzleburg (a cozy RPG) and the There’s Always a Madman interactive spy novel series. He also organized the Spy Video Game Rendezvous, a Steam festival in May 2025 featuring over 30 spy games, the largest collection ever assembled in one place according to PC Gamer coverage.
Solo development offers creative freedom and unified vision but demands wearing every hat simultaneously. Bernstein handles programming, writing, photography, game design, UI implementation, marketing, community management, and business operations entirely alone. The visual novel format mitigates some challenges by not requiring complex 3D graphics, physics systems, or combat mechanics, allowing one person to create something substantial without a team.
Using real photographs rather than commissioning artwork provides another practical advantage. Bernstein can travel to historical sites with a camera rather than hiring artists to recreate locations, reducing costs while increasing authenticity. The approach also differentiates these games from typical historical games using illustrated or CGI environments, creating a documentary-style aesthetic that emphasizes the games’ educational intent over entertainment spectacle.
The 250th Anniversary Timing
Releasing all three presidential games in 2026 coincides with America’s semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776. The timing creates natural marketing hooks as media coverage, commemorative events, and renewed public interest in founding history will peak throughout the anniversary year. Schools might be especially receptive to educational games connecting to curriculum standards during this period.
The Declaration’s anniversary carries specific relevance to Jefferson’s game since he authored the document at age 33 as one of the youngest delegates to the Second Continental Congress. The famous opening lines – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” – remain among the most quoted sentences in American history despite Jefferson failing to extend those rights to the people he enslaved.
America’s semiquincentennial will likely provoke debates about how to commemorate founding history amid contemporary reckonings with slavery, genocide of indigenous peoples, and other historical injustices. Educational games addressing these contradictions honestly rather than avoiding them could contribute meaningfully to those conversations, offering interactive ways to explore how imperfect people created imperfect systems that subsequent generations struggled to improve.
Educational Games Market Realities
Educational games occupy a difficult market position. Schools often lack budgets for non-textbook purchases, especially video games requiring computers or consoles. Parents interested in educational content for children compete with free resources like Khan Academy or YouTube educational channels. The commercial game market largely ignores educational titles because core gaming audiences prioritize entertainment over learning, while people seeking education use free online resources rather than purchasing games.
However, Steam’s democratization of PC game distribution creates opportunities for niche titles finding small but dedicated audiences. Games don’t need millions of sales to succeed when development costs remain modest and developers keep larger revenue shares than traditional retail allowed. Visual novel enthusiasts, history buffs, homeschooling parents, and educators seeking supplemental materials represent potential audiences that, while small, might sustain projects like Bernstein’s presidential trilogy.
The key lies in being realistic about commercial expectations. These games likely won’t compete with AAA blockbusters or even successful indies like Stardew Valley. But if modest sales cover development costs while building reputation and audience for future projects, that constitutes success for solo developers pursuing passion projects rather than chasing viral hits.
Addressing The Slavery Question
Reddit discussions about the Thomas Jefferson game immediately focused on whether it would address his slaveholding and relationship with Sally Hemings. One user asked pointedly: “Does this cover the sexual exploitation and enslavement of his offspring? Will we have the opportunity to explore all the magnificent creations powered by enslaved individuals in his residence? Is there a chance that the enslaved person who managed his wine dumbwaiter will be a playable character?”
Bernstein’s response acknowledged the necessity of addressing slavery: “The game will address the issue of Thomas Jefferson’s status as a slaveholder. That’s why I mentioned his residence as the ‘Monticello plantation’ in my original post.” Another commenter noted: “Addressing these subjects is crucial for grasping the era, the individual, and the nation’s historical trajectory. Regardless of whether you approach it from a patriotic or scholarly perspective, these elements cannot be overlooked.”
This exchange highlights the central challenge facing any contemporary Jefferson biography: how to present him honestly without either excusing his slaveholding or reducing him entirely to that evil. Sanitized patriotic hagiography that ignores slavery disrespects the enslaved people Jefferson exploited and misleads audiences about American history’s foundations. But presentating Jefferson solely as a hypocritical slaveholder erases his genuine contributions to political philosophy, religious freedom, and democratic governance that influenced global democracy movements.
What Success Looks Like
Success for Important People of History: Presidents – Thomas Jefferson and its companion games doesn’t require becoming bestsellers or winning awards. If teachers incorporate them into history curricula, if homeschooling families use them as supplemental materials, if history enthusiasts discover American founding history through interactive format, these outcomes would validate the project. Building positive Steam reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations within niche educational gaming communities matters more than mainstream gaming press coverage.
The trilogy also establishes Bernstein’s Important People of History brand for potential expansion. If the presidential games succeed modestly, future entries could cover other consequential historical figures from various eras and nations. Visual novel biographies of Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Harriet Tubman, or countless other important people could follow the same format while reaching different audiences interested in those specific figures or time periods.
Most importantly, if even a few players finish these games with deeper understanding and appreciation of American history’s complexity – its inspiring ideals and terrible contradictions, its visionary leaders who were also flawed humans, its ongoing struggle to fulfill promises that founding documents proclaimed but founding generations failed to achieve – then the project succeeds regardless of sales numbers or review scores.
FAQs
When do these presidential biography games release?
All three games in the Important People of History trilogy – covering George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln – are scheduled to release in 2026 on Steam. The timing coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776. Specific release dates within 2026 have not been announced yet.
How much will the games cost?
Pricing has not been announced. Educational visual novels on Steam typically range from free (with optional donations) to around $20 depending on length and production values. Given the games’ educational focus and use of real photographs rather than commissioned artwork, pricing will likely stay affordable to maximize accessibility for students, teachers, and families.
Will the games address controversial aspects of these presidents?
Developer Adam Bernstein confirmed the Thomas Jefferson game will address his slaveholding, referring to Monticello as a plantation and acknowledging this issue cannot be ignored when presenting Jefferson’s life honestly. How extensively the games explore controversial aspects versus focusing on political accomplishments remains to be seen, but Bernstein has demonstrated willingness to confront difficult historical truths.
Are these games suitable for children?
The games appear designed for middle school age and older audiences based on their educational focus on American history typically taught at those grade levels. Content warnings haven’t been specified, but given the subject matter includes war, slavery, and political conflict, parental discretion for younger children would be appropriate. The visual novel format without graphic violence makes them more accessible than many history games.
Can schools purchase these games for classroom use?
While licensing terms haven’t been detailed, Steam allows purchases of individual game copies that could theoretically be used in educational settings. Whether Bernstein plans to offer educational licensing, bulk purchase discounts, or dedicated classroom versions remains unclear. Teachers interested in using these games should contact Sunny Demeanor Games directly about educational licensing options.
What other games has Sunny Demeanor Games made?
Developer Adam Bernstein has released A Weekend in Puzzleburg (a cozy RPG) and the There’s Always a Madman interactive spy novel series on Steam. He also organized the Spy Video Game Rendezvous festival in May 2025, showcasing over 30 spy-themed video games. His development focus emphasizes positive, uplifting games that emphasize brain-based gameplay rather than reflexes.
Will there be games about other historical figures?
The series is titled Important People of History, suggesting potential for expansion beyond the initial presidential trilogy. If the Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln games succeed, Bernstein could create visual novel biographies about other consequential historical figures from American or world history. No additional games have been announced beyond the 2026 trilogy.
Why use real photographs instead of illustrations?
Real photographs create tangible connections between past and present by showing players what historical sites actually look like today. The approach also offers practical advantages for solo development since Bernstein can photograph locations himself rather than hiring artists to recreate them. The documentary-style aesthetic emphasizes the games’ educational authenticity over entertainment spectacle or artistic interpretation.
Conclusion
Important People of History: Presidents – Thomas Jefferson represents an ambitious experiment in educational game development as the first video game biography dedicated to the Declaration of Independence’s primary author. By combining visual novel format with authentic photographs of historical locations and a willingness to address Jefferson’s contradictions as both democracy advocate and slaveholder, solo developer Adam Bernstein is creating something genuinely unique in gaming’s educational space. Whether these presidential biographies find audiences large enough to sustain the project remains uncertain, but their 2026 release during America’s semiquincentennial provides optimal timing for renewed interest in founding history. The visual novel format’s accessibility, the trilogy’s comprehensive scope covering America’s founding through the Civil War, and Bernstein’s commitment to historical honesty over patriotic mythology position these games as potentially valuable supplements to traditional history education. For students, teachers, parents, and history enthusiasts seeking interactive ways to explore American founding through the lives of its most consequential presidents, these biographical visual novels offer new approaches to old stories. The question isn’t whether Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln’s lives deserve examination – they obviously do – but whether visual novels can make that examination more engaging and memorable than textbooks and documentaries alone. Adam Bernstein is betting they can, and 2026 will reveal whether audiences agree.