The idea is that you can vote online for one of 50 tokens. Emojis include a kissing emoji, a thumbs-up, etc. There’s even a Tyrannosaurus, a sure fire winner that can eat the other tokens. The old tokens are also in the voting mix. Purists may scoff, but this isn’t the first time Hasbro have used the voting approach. The old flat iron token was replaced by the cat in 2013.
The question, however, is where Monopoly is going. There are now untold numbers of different types of Monopoly, from the fully digital to the board game. Is this the beginning of some sinister new move against Life As They Think We Know It?
The original board game was invented by Elizabeth Magie in the U.S. in 1902 or thereabouts. It was called The Landlords Game, and the patent application version included some unfamiliar features for modern players.
Since then, of course, the game has become what it is today; a game everyone knows in some form. Get out of Jail Free has become a standard expression. Any good conspiracy theorist could make a mint out of the subliminal imagery of the game, like the nice old guy with the top hat, etc. Obviously, the game supports perfidious capitalism, right?
No. Actually, it started out as an anti-capitalist game, and morphed in to an educational game. Others, like The Game of Life, are based on similar principles. It became the standard board game format for just about everything. A game called Anti-Monopoly was also invented in the 1970s and is still around today.
In fairness, at least Hasbro didn’t descend to the level of populism of the rest of the news. Imagine a vote for Monopoly pieces based on “much-loved politicians”, “fake news outlets”, etc.
Can’t help wondering if the game needs to evolve a bit beyond its current form. Most people don’t get in to the game in any depth. During a phase of aggravated unemployment, I invented a new version, including blackmail, interest rates, etc. The game has almost unlimited potential.
What about insurance? Insure yourself against a severe hit.
What about capital investment? Why not put aside some of your capital and make $X per turn?
What about politics? Buy an election, perhaps? You get a free move if you land on the wrong space, etc.
Nah. The game needs to be a fun thing, not an exercise in ever-increasingly banal sleaze. Kids will find out soon enough what a real life dice throw is all about.
Voting starts today on Vote Monopoly.com. The Tyrannosaurus is calling. Heed the call, or start running. Voting is pretty simple, too, just make sure to watch the navigation instructions.
