As property markets collapse around the globe, the world’s most famous board game has also broken the mould and joined the fast pace of the 21st century with the launch of Monopoly City. For the first time in its 70-year history, the rules of game play have changed, it’s taken on a 3D dimension and instead of community-building initiatives, sabotage is the name of the game.

Now there’s no need to collect an entire property group before building, you can start building from the first roll of the dice. And just like in real life, property values – and players’ rent income – can rise and fall with the changing landscape of the city. Players can build structures that increase their property values, such as schools or eco-friendly wind farms, or they can sabotage opponents by building sewage plants or prisons on the competition’s property.

Players will still have to hone their dealing and negotiating skills but a whole new dimension to the play of the game has been added, which allows players to build their own empire in the centre of the board using 3D buildings.

Produced by games manufacturer, Hasbro in Waterford, the new edition of the game features 80 3-D buildings instead of traditional green houses and red hotels; Chance cards that include directions to dodge tax and steal property from your opponent; ‘Dodge Rent’ and Reminder cards instead of ‘Community Chest’ and an electronic trading unit.

According to the reigning Irish Monopoly Champion, Anthony Redmond, Monopoly City combines all the best bits of classic Monopoly with real life property scenarios such as fluctuating property prices. “Monopoly City is a great family game with a level playing field so anyone can win. I had great fun with my family and the fast and exciting pace kept me on my toes!”

Redmond, who’s currently ranked fourth in the world, added: “Although there’s a whole new range of quirky details to consider like how to sabotage your opponents and keep your property safe, the rules are simple and the new board is easy to navigate. And with the new 3D dimensions such as sky scrapers and tower blocks in the middle of the Monopoly City board, my top tip is to roll the dice in a bowl!”

To celebrate the launch of this mould-breaking game, Monopoly fans can take to the world stage to compete in an online version of the game based on Google Maps. Live from 9th September 2009, participants across the globe will be able to buy and develop the street that they live on or build an empire anywhere in the world thanks to the Monopoly City Streets instant-play online platform. Every street featured on Google Maps will be available for purchase by only one player, increasing the opportunity for trading and interaction. Participants can build a healthy portfolio by setting up houses, hotels, skyscrapers and other buildings quickly after acquiring streets to increase property values and scupper the competition to create the chance to become the richest property magnate in the world.

MONOPOLY CITY is in toy stores now, RRP €31.99.

MONOPOLY CITY STREETS will launch online in English, French, Spanish and German on 9th September, 2009 and can be played by logging on to www.monopolycitystreets.com


Issued by Walsh Public Relations
Contact: Vivienne Gleeson
Tel: (01) 6613515
Email: vivienne@walshpr.ie

ABOUT MONOPOLY

Since 1935, more than 250 million copies of MONOPOLY have been sold in 106 countries and 40 languages. More than 200 different editions of the game have been published, but the most popular continues to be the classic "Number Nine." Affectionately known by its original product number, "Number Nine" is based on the streets of Atlantic City and is nearly identical to Charles Darrow's original submission to Parker Brothers. The MONOPOLY name and logo, the distinctive design of the game board, the four corner squares, the MR. MONOPOLY name and the character, as well as each of the distinctive elements of the board and playing pieces are trademarks of Hasbro for its property trading game and game equipment. © 2009 Hasbro, All Rights Reserved.

About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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