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Montreal top property in new Monopoly game
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CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Wed. Aug. 20 2008 9:19 AM ET
Montreal has been voted the most expensive property to buy in a new international version of Monopoly, edging out major tourist destinations like London, Paris and New York.
The capital of Latvia, Riga, was chosen as the second most expensive property, capturing the other sought after dark blue real estate spot.
The new board game, called "Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition," is using cities rather than streets. Montreal and Riga will take the place of the highly-sought Boardwalk and Park Place properties.
"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," Helen Martin, Vice President of Global Marketing for toy and game-maker Hasbro, Inc., said in a press release.
Two other Canadian cities made it into the game -- Toronto and Vancouver -- but they're both in the lower half of the properties.
Canada and China are the only countries to feature three cities on the new board.
"In terms of promoting Canada and tourism here this is good...and it goes to 103 countries around the world," travel expert Loren Christie told CTV's Canada AM.
"Literally if you look at this board it's quite interesting," Christie said. "It's all based on the votes and how they placed in the voting and has pretty much nothing to do with financial and geographical flow, which is traditionally what we think of in Monopoly."
The 22 cities that earned spots on the "Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition" are as follows, listed in order of property groupings with the highest rent properties listed first:
- Dark Blue: Montreal, Riga
- Green: Cape Town, Belgrade, Paris
- Yellow: Jerusalem, Hong Kong, Beijing
- Red: London, New York, Sydney
- Orange: Vancouver, Shanghai, Rome
- Magenta: Toronto, Kyiv, Istanbul
- Light Blue: Athens, Barcelona, Tokyo
- Brown: Taipei, Gdynia
The cities were chosen by voters from around the world, and more than 5 million Monopoly fans reportedly cast ballots to have their favourite cities included in the first ever global edition of the game.
"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," Martin said.
Cities like Montreal reportedly launched campaigns encouraging people to vote, in order to get people talking about the city.
"From a tourism perspective what better advertising could you get, and I think people will be talking," Christie said. "'Why did Montreal get Boardwalk?' Wow, that must be something amazing and 'Why are Vancouver and Toronto both on there?' For Canada this is actually great. "
The game's makeover goes further than just replacing streets with cities, though.
The old utilities "Electric Company" and "Water Works" will be replaced by "Wind Energy" and "Solar Energy." Also, three of the four railroads will be replaced by air, cruise and space travel options.
"Community Chest" and "Chance" cards didn't escape the makeover either, and will now allow players to attend cultural events and organize festivals.
With files from The Canadian PressUser Tools
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Kris Abel's Tech Life
Hasbro celebrates adding Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto to latest Monopoly board.
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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.


Comments are now closed for this story
Marco Polo
said
chris
said
M Ottawa
said
I joke... Well kind of... congrats to Montreal.
Zach from the GTA
said
MONTRÉALAIS! WAHOO!
said
Former Montrealer now living in GTA
said
Montreal is a multicultural masterpiece (not a melting pot like most other major cities), it is one of the most trendy cities in the world and yet without the pretentious flavour of other urban centres like Paris and London.
Montreal is also a beautiful city - with its proximity to moutains and the St. Lawrence it really offers a perfect mix of everything.
Montreal is also a very safe city, a place where people from any walk of life can feel comfortable and welcome.
Greg
said
Norm
said
Bravo!
said
Roger T
said
Need more than just the same old things.
Don
said
Please, media, don't insult our intelligence.
Dan
said
dwayne-ottawa
said
wealth of nations
said
Montreal as boardwalk is laughable.
lepew
said
Geography Buff
said
Dave
said
Come on though, Montreal is a hick town compared to New York, Paris, London, etc.
Rent is low because the economy is puttering along at a snail pace.
This is good for a laugh though.
Robin the Hood
said
Not to knock any city but Montreal and Riga ahead of Paris and Sydney??.. Sorry, but I think not! :-P
CoHHbIu
said
If these cities were chosen by 5 million fans (probably only 1000 geeks that cast all the votes), then how the heck did cities like Gdynia and Kyiv made it in?! I don't even know what countries they're in, and I thought I was pretty good in geography."
Poland & Ukraine
It is very surprising.. Madrid, Moscow, LA, Berlin didn't make it.. The seem like much worthier participants than Gdynia, Taipei and Kiev.
dad
said
DC
said
Roscoe
said
I think I will stick with the classic edition. Heck, I'd rather play the Pokemon edition!
How about
Calgary
Halifax
Quebec (city)
Ottawa
Saskatoon
Victoria...
Christopher King
said
I'm so pleased for my former city. I also definitely intend to purchase this latest edition, which I am certain is why Hasbro did this to begin; To generate new interest.
Adriana
said
CookieMonster
said
Kevin
said
See that's how voting works...when people care about something they vote for it and then the one with the most votes wins. I know...shocking right?
Extra-Paycheck.com
said
M
said
Gdynia is in Poland and Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine. Both are large European countries with tens of millions of people. They have internet access there too, by the way.
maileriga
said