This is just sad.
Monopoly ditches cash, goes plastic
While Monopoly is the paragon of good ‘ole fashioned board game fun, the “old fashioned” part had to go. Parker Brothers is phasing out the cash-based version’s funmoney and replacing it with an “Electronic Banking” flavor that could leave Mr. Moneybags turning his pockets inside out as his stash is replaced by a magnetic strip. New kits are completely devoid of the famous multi-colored bills; instead, you’ll find phoney Visa debit cards and a calculator / reader which keeps a running tabulation of your riches — or lack thereof. A deal was struck with Visa to design the mock cards and readers, presumably after surveys showed that 70% of adults used cash less often now than they did a decade ago (no surprise there). When asked about the dramatic change, Parker said replacing cash with plastic “showed the game was moving with the times.” For those anxious to get their swipe on, or if you’ve simply forgotten how to use bills, the new version will set you back £24.99, while the now “antiquated” cash version can be had for £12.99, but only while supplies last.
That’s just wrong some traditions should remain.
I agree with Smartalix on this. And, yes, can’t they just leave some things alone – you ever see how many versions of Monopoly there are (not even including the ‘branded’ versions)?
sheesh
Elwood
How will this change “house rules?” I have some wacky friends who award $500 for LANDING on GO. Passing Go still gets $200. And what about “Free Parking?” Our house rules include all taxes, etc to be placed in the middle and collected when one lands on Free Parking. Will you be able to do that?
How many of us have played with younger people added a rule where you could issue a loan ?
Ahhh those days will be soon gone.
…the other side of the e-cash coin. Lose cash money, lose fluid assets.
You’ll never be able to play with money ever again.
(In any fashion.)
😉
I can’t believe Monopoly is selling out to the big corporations.
Coke 2
You never learned anything from Monopoly?
I learned Capitalism. Where’s my cookie?
How are we supposed to cheat when someone runs to the bathroom now?
I think there might be a problem with the headline. As I believe this is for their new “Here and now” edition, and if so, there is no more park place… no more railroads…. I don’t see myself getting the “here and now” anytime soon unless some crazy relative gives it to me as a gift, some games just should not be updated, or if they are, not so drasticly as in renaming everything and geting rid of cash.
I don’t think my 10 year old niece would like it either, she likes to play Monopoly, but I think having actual cash is something she enjoys, having a device with a number on it, would not be as fun for her, or her Uncle for that matter
Hopefully this new setup does not tie directly into the game, but still allows you to charge whatever amounts of money and recieve whatever amount of money. The only problem would be the free parking, because that money would have to be stored somewhere.
Well, then as in real life, you won’t have a clue you’re broke until the computer tells you so…
Maybe you could have paper money and plastic at the same time – it might teach youngsters something about the power of actually watching your money fly…
#7 – I can’t believe Monopoly is selling out to the big corporations.
That post is funny in any number of ways 🙂
For all the IDGETS that live in the US. The US version will still have paper money. This is only for a select European/British version.
It would be nice to have a credit card option. It would be educational for players to discover what those houses on Baltic Ave. will really cost at 18%.
#17 – Please explain why all those in the US are IDGETS… (not that I disagree, but I’m curious)
#18 – A very valid point raised.
#8–Coke 2
How right you are. There’s nothing like taking the most recognized board game (this side of checkers and chess), and mucking it up.
Best Regards,
Luxury Tax
“Please explain why all those in the US are IDGETS”
I blame Texas.
It looks like this story eventually came from here:
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,70131-1228653,00.html
My son and I play with real money, or at least play on the computer where there is no expectation of hard currency. 🙂