Notes

Monopoly is a terrible, terrible game.

I can hear the mixed reactions already – the murmur of approval from some, outraged shock from others. For many people, Monopoly is what they think of immediately when board games are mentioned. It’s ingrained in the popular consciousness – the most common response to someone discovering that I like board games is to then say, “what, like Monopoly?”

This equating of Monopoly with board games has, unfortunately, ruined our relationship with the board game. It’s not just Monopoly‘s fault, of course, but it’s the main culprit – it shares some blame with Clue/Cluedo, Frustration, The Game of Life, and a few others. Board games, to most people, mean frustrating over-long games of random chance, or simple children’s games that simply are not appealing to adults.

“But I have good memories of playing Monopoly!” you may be thinking. But you don’t. What you do have are good memories of spending time with your friends and family, and having a nice time despite the awful game sitting between you, not because of it.

(from: http://www.analoguediversions.com/2011/monopoly-is-terrible)

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In the new version of Monopoly, the game’s classic pastel-colored bills and the designated Banker have been banished, along with other old-fashioned elements, in favor of a computer that runs the game.

Hasbro showed a preview of the new version, called Monopoly Live..[i]t is the classic Monopoly board on the outside, with the familiar railroads like the B.& O. and the development of property. But in the center, instead of dice and Chance and Community Chest cards, an infrared tower with a speaker issues instructions, keeps track of money and makes sure players adhere to the rules. The all-knowing tower even watches over advancing the proper number of spaces.