Monopoly(tm): Electronic Banking

Hasbro, maker of Monopoly boardgames recently introduced a new innovation to the widely popular game – electronic banking.  No longer do you have to handle money, just insert your game card into the + or – side of the bank computer and enter the transaction.  It does all the math for you.

I have a problem with that.  Much of the good experience that comes from the game is from handling and managing the paper money.  That’s one more thing to think about and keeps lesser players from thinking about strategy as they worry about money flow.  It’s also a great educational tool to help people with math and money management.

I understand Hasbro’s intent.  I’m sure they believe money management is an impediment and this innovation will get more people playing.  That may be true.  But, for Monopoly die hards, it waters down the experience. 

If Hasbro wants to make a useful innovation to Monopoly it should creat a web-based game.  I’d love to be able to play one-roll-a-day Monopoly with my friends. This is what I want:

• Be able to set up a game room to invite specific people to a game.
• Game can be played over time.  System would e-mail you when it’s your turn to roll complete with a game progress summary and it would facilitate transactions between players.

Get to work Hasbro.