Hasbro announced an updated version of the beloved board game that replaces cash and the banker with a mobile app that handles all of the transactions for you. A smartphone (or tablet) will take over the banker role through Monopoly App Banking, which keeps track of each player’s money and properties.
The game is expected to release at most major retailers this August for $24.99, though the mobile app that will accompany it is free.
Monopoly App Banking has a similar board layout to the traditional Monopoly board, but it now features kid-friendly alternatives to the mainstay properties, The Verge reported. Rather than Park Place and Boardwalk, the most valuable properties on the board will be a rocket launch pad and the moon. Other properties include a chocolate factory, a VR roller coaster and a dinosaur park.
Players will select a token and a matching bank card that are scanned to the mobile app that will automate the transactions, such as purchasing title deeds or paying rent. Property cards will also be scanned into the app.
The updated game “eliminates the need for physical cash and counting” and will speed up the game, making it more accessible to younger players and harder to cheat.
However, many are upset with the change. Parents and teachers often use Monopoly as a way to teach kids about math and money, and this new version removes that aspect.
“Call me a luddite, but the whole point of these board games is to teach kids how to do math, how to handle cash and count money. Kids these days will never learn or practice basic arithmetic”, one person commented on The Verge’s report.
“It doesn’t inherently bother me that they made a version that uses an app”, another added. “The same cannot be said about the fact that they skewed the version specifically to kids”.
Others say that removing the banking takes out the fun of the game.
“Let’s take a game that is already 90% luck and remove the only fun part: Handling the cash”, one person quipped. “Why not remove the hotels, the board or even the friends? That will make it more fun for sure”.
“Why even have the board? You can do the whole game as an app”, another pointed out.
The change also means iconic board games may no longer act as an alternative for screen time for children.
“I’m all for designing new games around the ability to have phone apps embedded, but I’m not about taking classic games and removing parts in favor of technology”, someone lamented.
Still, it wasn't an easy victory as Pearly Tan’s ankle injury in the second game when they were leading 13-7 nearly saw them give away points.
