Monopoly tokens (a.k.a. movers) have come a long way since game designer Charles Darrow initially used buttons and pennies to move around the board. Since the origins of this game, players have plotted their course along the popular board using die-cast terriers, wheelbarrows, race cars, and even a bag of money.
Now runners playing the new "Monopoly: Here & Now Edition" will have the chance to speed past "Go!" in a New Balance shoe. The game is giving the old shoe the boot and allowing players to take strides around the board with a high performance athletic shoe. Known for their specialized footwear, as well as their strong heritage in running, New Balance continues to focus on manufacturing innovative shoes for athletes of all ages and abilities and is the only athletic brand currently producing shoes in the United States of America.
The updated tokens will also include: a Toyota Prius hybrid car, McDonald's French fries, a Labradoodle dog (a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle), a Motorola Razr Mobile Handset phone, and a laptop computer.
"These updated tokens are extremely relevant in the 21st century and provide an additional layer of fun and authenticity for players as they enjoy our new contemporary edition", said Matt Collins, vice president of Marketing at Hasbro Games.
The "Monopoly: Here & Now Edition" game board has been completely updated based on more than 3 million votes from the American public. The new edition resembles present-day America as the properties now include landmarks from 22 great destination cities and the property spaces have been re-appraised to include modern-day property values. In addition to the updated tokens and properties, the game's money will be in higher denominations and the Chance and Community Chest cards will include scenarios relevant to today.
Since 1935, more than 250 million copies of Monopoly have been sold in 80 countries and 26 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.
