Monopoly: Cape Town 'passes go'
22 August 2008
Owning property in Cape Town will take on a new meaning when the latest version of the classic board game hits the stores this month, after Cape Town came in third in a global vote to determine the cities and how and they are ranked in Monopoly's first World Edition game board.
During a six-week period in early 2008, Monopoly fans from around the world voted for the cities they wished to see represented on Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition.
More than 5.6-million votes were cast for 22 property spaces on Monopoly's new board, which goes on sale in 37 different languages and in more than 50 countries from 26 August.
Montreal topped the poll and will be the most expensive property, with Latvian capital Riga taking the second dark blue square on the board - the dark blue being the most coveted (and feared) property group in the popular game invented by Charles Darrow in 1935.
Cape Town won the third most votes to take lead position in the green group, which also includes Belgrade and Paris.
"We hope that fans of the world's most popular board game will enjoy buying, selling and trading real estate from around the globe in the new Monopoly game that they created with their votes," Helen Martin of New York-listed toy and game-maker Hasbro said in a statement on Wednesday.
"We are thrilled that the first-ever global game board includes an interesting mix of cities that showcases the dynamic cultures, sights and history of the planet."
The new Monopoly will also feature updated "Chance" and "Community Chest" cards that "highlight events and culturally relevant scenarios from countries around the world," said Hasbro, which owns the Monopoly brand.
"Players may celebrate at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, organise an international music festival or host a St. Patrick's Day festival in Dublin. Additionally, the tokens, houses and hotels reflect icons and styles from all seven continents."
The 22 cities that earned spots on MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition, in order of property groupings, from highest to lowest rent properties, are:
For local availability and price, check Monopoly.
SAinfo reporter
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