There is a good chance that you have some version of the classic board game Monopoly in your home covered with a layer of dust and pushed to the very back of a shelf. As equally loved as it is hated, the game can either make you laugh with your family or cause you to flip the dining room table and storm off as multicolored fake money slowly rains down to the floor.
To be fair, not many people know the story behind the iconic board game. The Monopoly board game was created by Lizzie Maggie in 1903 in the United States under the original title of The Landlord’s Game. Moreover, since the game’s creation in 1903, there have been over 1,100 different versions of Monopoly.
However, over a century later, Hasbro decided to take Monopoly and create another spin-off once again. Only this time, the board game is getting altered a bit more than usual. Strangely, the newest version of Monopoly gained worldwide attention and caused a bit of controversy. But in 2019, that’s not too hard to accomplish.
Getting to Know Ms. Monopoly
That’s right: Hasbro changed the name of the newest edition to Ms. Monopoly.
You might not be too familiar with the name Uncle Pennybags, but if you’ve ever played a game of Monopoly, you know exactly who he is. The mustached man has been apart of the board game since 1936.
Well, you can finally say goodbye to the historic mascot as he hangs up his top hat and cane and makes room for the new face of the franchise, Ms. Monopoly, a young businesswoman who is now the face for the famous board game. Consequently, the name and the box art aren’t the only two things being changed; the entire game is getting remodeled. The goal of the game remains the same, but a few minor tweaks have been incorporated too.
This newest rendition of Monopoly is dedicated to women everywhere, especially women who are entrepreneurs and inventors. Notably, the famous properties that outlined the board have vanished. That’s right — trademark locations like the railroads, Boardwalk and Park Place have all been removed from the game. In their places, locations on the board consist of items invented by women such as the chocolate chip cookie, Wi-Fi and the bulletproof vest.
Also, the game pieces that players use to move around the board are all being replaced as well. Instead of journeying around the board as a car, a dog or a shoe, you now get to move around the game as a jet, a glass or a hat.
I don’t necessarily think that changing the game pieces is a bad thing. In fact, change can be a good thing. But, there have been more changes to the game than simple pieces.
The New Rules
The game pieces and board are not the only parts of the game to see change. The way that the game is played underwent revisions as well. This is where things might get a little bit divisive. Statistics show that men and women are treated differently in the workplace, especially when it comes to differences in wage, but Ms. Monopoly plans to make sure that is not the case.
Similar to Monopoly’s predecessors, players start with money in their bank accounts. Only this time, Ms. Monopoly is going to shake things up a bit. Female players begin with $1,900, but men set out with only $1,500.
But wait, there’s more. You might be familiar with the game’s rule that when a player passes “Go,” he or she typically collects $200 — this is not the case with Ms. Monopoly. Although male players will still collect the usual $200 for passing go, female players will receive $240.
Everyone Is Included
You might be experiencing mixed feelings toward the forward-thinking decisions for Ms. Monopoly, but before you decide on whether you love or hate the game, there’s still a little more to explain.
While the female players might gain an advantage over the fellas, to be fair, the game is called Ms. Monopoly, not Mr. Monopoly. Besides, male players do have various opportunities to earn extra money in the game that female players cannot; furthermore, a few of the Community Chest cards even favor the male players.
For example, one of the Community Chest cards give out a cash reward for publishing an article on female entrepreneurs. Female players who draw this card will receive a $200 bonus; male players who draw the same card are rewarded $250.
Another Community Chest card describes a scenario in which you just watched the latest superhero movie with a female character as the lead character: Female players who draw this card will receive $50, but male players will earn $100. I guess something is better than nothing.
Ms. Monopoly is currently receiving a mixed reaction, as does any form of semi-controversial entertainment. Some reviews of the game are very positive. Others not so much. My conclusion about Ms. Monopoly is that change is good. Maybe these alterations are precisely what the old board game needed — a breath of fresh air.
If you want to play the game to form your own opinion, you can purchase Ms. Monopoly in stores such as Walmart and Target, or online via Amazon.
