Monopoly: International Edition
From Peter David:
Monopoly alert: Spread the word
While attending Toyfair, I found out that Hasbro is putting together an international version of Monopoly, and instead of street names on the board, there will be city names. The color coding remains the same: The most valuable real estate will be on blue spots, for instance (normally occupied by Broadway and Park Place), and then green, yellow and so on. There is currently a vote going on that is open to anyone in the world with a computer, and you can vote once a day for up to ten cities. The top vote getters will be on Broadway and Park Place, and the rest will be apportioned to the remainder of the real estate.
Now how, you may ask, is the United States faring in this international voting? The answer: Miserably. Of the twenty eight properties on this quintessentially American game, only two US cities are making any kind of showing, and neither is in prime real estate. New York is #8 (relegated to the much less tony yellow section of the board), while, Las Vegas is an abysmal #23. What’s number one, you may ask? The most popular international city?
Istanbul.
Are you freaking kidding me?
Personally, I think this is an abysmal state of affairs. Istanbul the number one city of international Monopoly? The best thing one can say about Istanbul is that it’s a catchy song covered by “They Might Be Giants.” But “New York, New York” is practically an anthem.
According to the woman at Hasbro I spoke to, the website where the voting is going on–www.monopoly.com–is getting 10,000 votes a day. That’s not all that much. A concerted web effort can turn this around.
Obviously I want to see New York nestled in the top spot, with more US cities occupying as many of the rest of the valuable properties as possible. Knee-jerk patriotism? Unreasonable nationalism? Well…yeah. You got a problem with that? If the residents of freaking Turkey should be allowed that indulgence, so should I.
We’ve only got until February 28th to get it done, so spread the word to all and sundry. Feel free to repost this anywhere and everywhere.
PAD
Like seriously…wtf! London is only two above New York and it is the world financial capitol! Some of the most expensive real estate on Earth! Broadway should be London and Park Place New York.
And, Montreal #2? You’ve got to be kidding me!
Riga #5? I’m fairly good with geography…but, where the f**k is Riga! It’s sounds like a pasta dish. Lets send Riga to Italy so the Italians can eat it!
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I know! The only thing I can think of is that the voting was publicized more overseas.
It’s Europe’s revenge for getting a bridge named after Stephen Colbert in Eastern Europe.
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What Montreal lacks in size it makes up for in quality. New York is an over-priced, rat-infested dirt hole. I voted for Riga also. Don’t know where it is, but I’m sure it’s a better place than New York.
I agreed with The Tom Brown, Riga, Gdansk, & Kiev have no place the board.
Secondly, I think they could have used streets or plaza
like the Trevi Fountain in Rome or the Champs Elyssee in
Paris not to mention Trafalgar Square in London.
If you want people to learn geography, then make an effort.
Last word. Montreal should be on the board but not on
the Boardwalk space, I give that to Tokyo or Hong Kong.