There are at least fourteen ways to lose in Mr. President. This post focuses on the defeat screen art behind two of the most consequential ways to lose: Major War and Rogue State Threats. Both scenarios deal with complex themes, and the artwork needed to convey the right visual and emotional impact.
Major War
No American aircraft carrier has ever been destroyed, so we chose to depict a U.S. carrier engulfed in flames to represent a significant loss of face and prestige as well as a major military setback vs. a near-peer competitor. To heighten the gravity of the moment, we deliberately avoided showing identifiable figures, using only silhouettes and broad strokes instead of detailed illustration.
Several symbolic elements reinforce the message: a vacant presidential chair, a red “Secret” folder, and the president’s signature written in red ink. The empty chair suggests that the decision was not made lightly—the president has stepped away, leaving advisors and cabinet members to carry out the consequences.
Painted over three days and built from 85 layers, the composition employs somber blues and muted oranges to evoke sadness and regret. The palette makes clear to the player that this is a moment of profound consequence, not triumph.
Rogue State Threats
If the US attacks a Rogue State that has acquired Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), and a natural, unmodified "10" is rolled on that Rogue State's action roll, the Rogue State uses the WMD on US forces and infrastructure.
This defeat screen was painted in the chiaroscuro style to emphasize contrast and drama. It portrays an atomic strike on an unnamed U.S. city, intentionally left vague so players can imagine the tragedy striking any community. Subtle details deepen the impact: a faint EMP distortion effect, and a lone red mailbox marked “Home,” underscoring that ordinary citizens—far removed from political decisions—bear the ultimate cost.
Completed in two days with 56 layers, the composition relies on chiaroscuro’s dark browns and oranges to convey radioactive clouds and destruction. The mushroom cloud is the focal point and the only element rendered with detail, symbolizing both finality and devastation.
Conclusion
Together, these defeat screens play a vital role in Mr. President. They are not celebratory or decorative works of art, but deliberate visual statements. Through color, composition, and symbolism, they embody sadness, failure, and the heavy weight of leadership. They remind players that the presidency is not only about strategy—it is about responsibility, and the human consequences of every decision.