Monopoly
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Donetta Allen
Hunter PR?(212) 679-6600, ext. 229
dallen@hunterpr.com
Pat Riso
Hasbro Games
(413) 526-2307
priso@hasbro.com
NEW MONOPOLY FUN FOR 2009
The World’s Most Popular Board Game Continues To Break New Ground With Faster Play, Deals And Negotiation For Everyone
East Longmeadow, Mass. (February 13, 2009) – 2008 was a world record breaking* year for the MONOPOLY brand and 2009 sees this spirit of innovation and evolution intensify with exciting new game play and an international tournament in Las Vegas, the home of deal making. National champions from nearly 40 countries will negotiate their way through an exciting two-day tournament in October!
The MONOPOLY game is more popular than ever and is the number one board game in almost every market where it is available. With global retail sales of half a billion dollars, the iconic board game is currently expanding into new and emerging markets and reaching new audiences through the development of MONOPOLY digital games, in association with EA Games mobile and online.
This year promises fantastic new product and exciting MONOPOLY fun.
MONOPOLY DEAL CARD GAME
(Approximate Retail Price: $6.99; Recommended Age: 8 & up: Available: Now; Players: 2 to 4)
MONOPOLY enters the card game market with this fast paced, hugely addictive game. It’s all the best bits of MONOPOLY in 20 minutes. The MONOPOLY DEAL Card Game utilizes all the fun of owning and building the iconic properties of the classic MONOPOLY board game – from Mediterranean Avenue to Boardwalk – but emphasizes on-the-fly real estate negotiations in game play. Beware of the Debt Collector, Forced Deal and Deal Breaker cards, which allow players to “steal” cards and can reverse a player’s fortune in an instant. Be sure to “bank” money in personal accounts to buy properties and collect three complete color property sets to win the game.
In Summer 2009 MONOPOLY DEAL will introduce a new way to shuffle cards with the Shuffle Shaker. Just place the cards in the container and shake the deck to speed up the time in between hands. The approximate retail price for the game plus Shuffle Shaker is $14.99.
MONOPOLY CITY
(Approximate Retail Price: $34.99; Recommended Age: 8 & up: Available: Fall 2009; Players: 2 to 6)
Say goodbye to green houses and choose from over 80 3D structures, including industrial blocks, stadiums, skyscrapers and even parks built in the middle of the board to create a unique game experience. The introduction of MONOPOLY CITY represents one of the most radical game developments in MONOPOLY history. Build up and watch fortunes grow in this exciting new version. Set the length of game play and start buying and building straight away. Rents can be boosted through investment, but beware of other players sabotaging the game by building hazards such as polluting power plants to send opponents rents plummeting…
MONOPOLY GO
(Approximate Retail Price: $19.99; Recommended Age: 8 & up: Available: Fall 2009; Players: 2 to 6)
Ever wanted to freeze time? MONOPOLY GO allows you to do just that. Classic MONOPOLY game play remains the same but this unique new board uses clips as movers and houses and hotels that attach to the game board, which means that you can pause, fold and store your game until later - perfect for travel or even putting aside until after dinner! This great, practical MONOPOLY game comes with a sturdy travel case and individual player wallets to store money and property cards.
MONOPOLY: Disney Edition
(Approximate Retail Price: $19.99; Recommended Age: 8 & up: Available: Fall 2009; Players: 2 to 6)
The magical world of Disney comes to life on this popular version of MONOPOLY with players negotiating and dealing for their favorite Disney properties. The board features great classic titles that we all know and love such as Lady & the Tramp as well as fantastic new Disney movies, such as Pirates of the Caribbean. The ‘hot properties’ are High School Musical and Hannah Montana, which claim the top dark blue spaces
MONOPOLY World Championships – Viva Las Vegas!
This October the best MONOPOLY players from around the globe will gather in the ‘bright light city’ of Las Vegas to compete in the 13th MONOPOLY World Championships. National champions from nearly 40 countries will compete for MONOPOLY glory and a prize pot of more than $20,000. The competition to select the US National Champion will take place in April 2009 in Washington DC.
Tournament organizers are planning live web streaming to capture all the action - fans of the game will witness the fast paced tournament where players are often made bankrupt in less than 30 minutes!
MONOPOLY: FAMILY GAME NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP Edition
(Approximate Retail Price: $19.99; Recommended Age: 8 & up: Available: Fall 2009; Players: 2 to 6)
MONOPOLY has been a family favorite for generations. But for families that can’t get enough of the exciting tournament action, MONOPOLY: Family Game Night Championship Edition allows families to run their own nail-biting competitions. Available in October to coincide with the World Championships, the game includes tournament rules, score sheets and a coveted trophy for the top family MONOPOLY Player to keep - glitzy dice and gold- and silver-toned houses and hotels complete the Vegas feel.
*2008 saw a new Guinness World Record for the most number of people playing MONOPOLY simultaneously. Nearly 3,000 people in 21 countries participated to set the new record in celebration of the release of MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition
ABOUT MONOPOLY
Since 1935, more than 250 million copies of MONOPOLY have been sold in 103 countries and 37 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. (NYSE:HAS) 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, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. (C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
