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Monopoly in video games

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 9 min

Monopoly
2008 Monopoly PlayStation 3 version cover art
Genre(s)Strategy, board game
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Composer(s)Ian Livingstone (2008)
Platform(s)Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, BlackBerry, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Game.com, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Switch, Luna, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Portable, iOS, Pocket PC/Windows Mobile, Genesis, Master System, Super NES, Microsoft Windows, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, ZX Spectrum, Stadia
First releaseMonopoly
1985
Latest releaseMonopoly Madness
2021

There have been numerous Monopoly video games based on the core game mechanics of Parker Brothers and Hasbro's board game Monopoly. They have been developed by numerous teams and released on multiple platforms over 35+ years.

List

  • Monopoly (1985) by Leisure Genius, multi-platform
  • Monopoly (1988) by Sega and Nexa for Sega Master System
  • Monopoly (1991) by Parker Brothers and Sculptured Software for Game Boy, SNES, Genesis, and NES
  • Monopoly Deluxe (1992) by Virgin Games for DOS and Windows
  • Monopoly (1993) for Super Famicom in Japan by Tomy, Ape and Creamsoft
  • MacPlay Monopoly (1993) by HumanWave Technology for Macintosh
  • Monopoly (1995) by Westwood Studios for Macintosh and Windows
  • The Monopoly Game 2 (1995, Japan) by Tomy, Ape and Tomcat System for Super Famicom
  • Monopoly (1997) by Gremlin Interactive for PlayStation
  • Monopoly Star Wars (1997) by Artech Digital Entertainment for Windows
  • Monopoly World Cup France 98 Edition (1998) by Hasbro Interactive for Windows[1]
  • Monopoly (1999) by Mind's Eye Productions for Nintendo 64
  • Monopoly (2000) by Artech Studios for Macintosh, Windows and PlayStation Portable
  • Monopoly Tycoon (2001) by Deep Red Games for Windows and mobiles
  • EX Monopoly (2001) by Mobile 21 for Game Boy Advance
  • Monopoly Party (2002) by Runecraft for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube
  • Monopoly SpongeBob SquarePants Edition (2007) by Navarre Corporation for Windows[2]
  • Monopoly (2008) by Encore, Inc. for Windows
  • Monopoly Here and Now (2009) by EA Mobile for iOS
  • Monopoly: Build-a-lot Edition (2009) by HipSoft for PC[3]
  • Monopoly Streets (2010) by EA Salt Lake for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii
  • Monopoly (2010) for Nintendo DS
  • Monopoly (2012) by PopCap Games for Windows and Macintosh
  • Monopoly Deal (2014) by Asobo Studio for PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
  • Monopoly Plus (2014) by Asobo Studio for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
  • Monopoly (2019) for iOS and Android devices, by Marmalade Game Studio
  • Monopoly Poker (2020) by Azerion for iOS, Android[4] and PC[5]
  • Monopoly Madness (2021) for Google Stadia, Luna, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S ported by Engine Software
  • Monopoly GO! (2023) by Scopely for iOS and Android[6]

History

Early versions

Many unlicensed, non-commercial computer games based on Monopoly were distributed on bulletin board systems, public domain software disks and academic computer systems, and appeared as early as the late 1970s. At the time, Parker Brothers was unaware of this distribution until a user informed them of one version that stated "A Parker Brother game" on the title screen; the company then began enforcing its copyright and trademark on Monopoly.[7]

Over the years, Monopoly has been released for different operating systems on the PC and Macintosh platforms. The first of the legally licensed commercial adaptations began in 1985 for the BBC Micro, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum and MSX.[8] Versions have been licensed and produced for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, GameCube, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Master System, Genesis, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, and Nintendo Switch consoles, as well as mobile device (PDA/Smartphone) versions.[citation needed]

The Monopoly video games play by the same rules as the standard board game, allowing for single or multiplayer games. When a single player game is chosen, the game in question would generate computer-controlled opponents.[citation needed]

Console and computer versions

Monopoly for the PlayStation was developed by Gremlin Interactive, and a Windows and Macintosh version by Westwood Studios. The Windows/Mac version played top down, while the PlayStation version was in 3D. They both had cutscenes in common, played when showing the game pieces moving on their own.[9] In 1998, Hasbro Interactive released a Monopoly video game for Microsoft Windows, which used 3D graphics instead of the top-down design used in previous versions. It ran on Windows 95 (although can be run on up to Windows XP, but will not work on Windows Vista and up) and had a special online play feature which used a modem.[10]

A new version developed by Electronic Arts was released in 2008 for the Wii, PlayStation 3, iPhone and Xbox 360, with a slightly stripped-down version for the PlayStation 2. It includes a transatlantic selection of boards, including the new Here & Now edition boards and new game mode, Richest. There are no online features, however.[citation needed] EA's Monopoly game scored fairly poorly, with a 54% average on the PS3 on Metacritic,[11] and 56% on the Xbox 360.[12] The Wii version fared better with 70%.[13] The Official Nintendo Magazine in the United Kingdom were most positive in their evaluation of the Wii version, which they called "great fun" in the Christmas 2008 issue.[14] Eurogamer was less enthusiastic, saying: "For the price of Monopoly for Wii, you could buy real Monopoly. Twice. Or you could just buy no Monopoly at all and spend the money on something more likely to inspire amity and harmony, like a book by Hitler."[15]

The Monopoly Family Fun Pack, produced by Ubisoft for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, was released on November 18, 2014. It is an on-disc bundle consisting of the digitally-released Monopoly Plus and Monopoly Deal, as well as Monopoly Plus's My Monopoly expansion.[16] In 2017, Ubisoft released a more traditional Monopoly video game on the Nintendo Switch, based on Monopoly Plus. This game takes advantage of the Joy-Con's "HD Rumble" feature.[17] In 2020, the Stadia version of the game, based on Monopoly Plus, was released.

Mobile versions

There are several official mobile Monopoly games and variants, including Monopoly Poker - Texas Holdem,[18] Monopoly Slots - Slot Machines,[19] Monopoly Solitaire: Card Games,[20] Monopoly Tycoon,[21] Monopoly,[22] Monopoly Junior,[23] and Monopoly GO![24]. Monopoly GO! has seen impressive growth, passing $1 Billion in revenue in its first seven months.[25]

Other versions

An official version, Safe As Houses was released for the Atari ST.[26]

An electronic handheld version of the game was marketed from 1997–2001.[27]

For several months in 2009, Google Maps hosted an online version of Monopoly, Monopoly City Streets, using its maps as the board.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Monopoly World Cup France 98 Edition". The Centre for Computing History. Archived from the original on 2021-11-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20211130105423/http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/61384/Monopoly-World-Cup-France-98-Edition/. Retrieved 2021-11-29. 
  2. ↑ "MONOPOLY SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS EDITION PC". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/monopoly-spongebob-squarepants-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 2021-12-07. 
  3. ↑ Becker, David (2009-09-13). "MONOPOLY: Build-a-lot Edition Review". Gamezebo. Archived from the original on 2022-01-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123113704/https://www.gamezebo.com/2009/09/13/monopoly-build-lot-edition-review/. Retrieved 2022-01-22. 
  4. ↑ Alison (2020-08-18). "New MONOPOLY Poker Mobile App Out Now". IGC. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20210113054739/https://invisioncommunity.co.uk/new-monopoly-poker-mobile-app-out-now/. Retrieved 2021-11-30. 
  5. ↑ "MONOPOLY Poker". Steam. Archived from the original on 2020-12-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20201218214307/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1474700/MONOPOLY_Poker/. Retrieved 2021-11-30. 
  6. ↑ "MONOPOLY GO!". https://www.scopely.com/en/games/monopoly-go. 
  7. ↑ Leemon, Sheldon (January 1988). "Go Directly To Jail". Compute! (ABC Publishing) 10 (92): p. 30. https://archive.org/stream/1988-01-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_092_1988_Jan#page/n31/mode/2up. "As it turns out, the company has been completely unaware of what was going on. It was not until a user named David Addison made and distributed a particularly detailed version of the game on the Amiga that Parker Brothers became aware of the problem. This program contained the phrase "A Parker Brother game" on its title screen, which apparently made someone think that Parker Brothers might be interested. They were not only interested, but appalled to learn how many computer versions were being circulated." 
  8. ↑ "Retro Consoles". 26 April 2022. https://richunclepennybags.co.uk/retro-consoles. 
  9. ↑ "Monopoly for Macintosh (1996)". Blue Flame Labs. 2016. https://www.mobygames.com/game/monopoly. 
  10. ↑ "Monopoly 3D Big Box Game For PC New & Sealed | eBay". 2019-04-30. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Monopoly-3D-Big-Box-Game-For-PC-New-Sealed/401523597247?hash=item5d7cabdfbf:g:cLIAAOSwgZBa1KQv&LH_BIN=1. 
  11. ↑ "Monopoly Critic Reviews for PlayStation 3". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/monopoly/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  12. ↑ "Monopoly Critic Reviews for Xbox 360". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/monopoly/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  13. ↑ "Monopoly Critic Reviews for Wii". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/monopoly/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. 
  14. ↑ "Monopoly Review // The classic board game becomes a classic Wii title". Nintendo UK. 27 October 2008. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/6195/reviewsmonopoly-review/. 
  15. ↑ Gibson, Ellie (18 December 2008). "Wii Christmas Roundup". EuroGamer. p. 3. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wii-christmas-roundup-review?page=3. 
  16. ↑ "Ubisoft – Monopoly Family Fun Pack". Ubisoft.com. https://www.ubisoft.com/en-CA/game/monopoly-family-fun-pack/. [better source needed]
  17. ↑ "Monopoly Coming To Nintendo Switch With HD Rumble Dice Rolling". April 13, 2017. http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/04/monopoly_coming_to_nintendo_switch_with_hd_rumble_dice_rolling/. 
  18. ↑ "MONOPOLY Poker - Texas Holdem" (in en-US). 2023-12-19. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/monopoly-poker-texas-holdem/id1448884851. 
  19. ↑ "MONOPOLY Slots - Slot Machines" (in en-US). 2023-12-10. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/monopoly-slots-slot-machines/id1215145992. 
  20. ↑ "MONOPOLY Solitaire: Card Games" (in en-US). 2023-12-18. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/monopoly-solitaire-card-games/id1536804215. 
  21. ↑ "MONOPOLY Tycoon" (in en-US). 2023-12-02. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/monopoly-tycoon/id1486225508. 
  22. ↑ "MONOPOLY" (in en-US). 2023-12-12. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/monopoly/id1477966166. 
  23. ↑ "Monopoly Junior - Apps on Google Play" (in en-US). https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playdatedigital.MonopolyJunior&hl=en_US. 
  24. ↑ "MONOPOLY GO!" (in en-US). 2023-12-19. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/monopoly-go/id1621328561. 
  25. ↑ Kuhnke, Oisin (2023-11-27). "Monopoly Go proves 'casual' mobile games are still a massive deal" (in en). https://www.vg247.com/monopoly-go-proves-mobile-games-massive-deal. 
  26. ↑ "Atari ST Safe as Houses". http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-safe-as-houses_11153.html. 
  27. ↑ "Electronic Handheld Game". Parker Brothers. http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/MonopolyHandHeld.pdf. 
  28. ↑ "Google-Powered Monopoly Still Under Construction". WIRED. 11 September 2009. https://www.wired.com/2009/09/monopoly-city-streets/. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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