Monopoly gets modern makeover

The original Monopoly game was created in 1934

By CNN's Richard Quest

LONDON, England -- Make money and ruin your family and friends in the process -- the simple creed that has made Monopoly the biggest selling board game in the world.

Now, however, a new version of the game has been released. Rather than circling the board accumulating property, players get to snap up some of the world's biggest companies, wheeling and dealing in the world of high finance.

Airlines, cars, even beleagured technology and telecommunications companies -- they are all up for sale to those who land first.

And the new game has an added twist: A mini-computer that simulates the vicissitudes of the stock market, raising and lowering company share prices as you move around the board.

VIDEO CNN's Richard Quest tests out the Monopoly board game as it gets updated to meet the needs of the stock exchange. (August 14) Real Windows QuickTime   Monopoly: Some facts and Figures - Invented by American Charles B.Darrow in 1934 - Original design rejected by games manufacturer Parker Brothers due to "52 design errors" - An estimated 500-million people worldwide have played Monopoly - More than 200 million games have been sold worldwide - The longest game in history lasted 70 days - The longest underwater game lasted 50 days - A set made by Alfred Dunhill in 1974, with solid gold hotels, sold for $25,000 (£17,617) - Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than for the U.S. Treasury

Industry insiders are predicting that the game will be a big hit.

Ian Gibbs of Hamley's Toy Store in London told CNN: "About once every 10 years a new financial board game comes onto the market.

"In the past they've always been very complicated to play and have never been particularly successful.

But I think that on this occaision they have got it right and it is going to be very popular indeed."

The original Monopoly game was created in 1934 by American Charles B. Darrow of Germantown, Pennsylvania.

Darrow sold 5,000 handmade copies of his new game to a local department store, and within a year it had becaome the most popular board game in the U.S.

It has since sold over 200 million sets worldwide. Today it is sold in 80 different countries and produced in 26 languages, including Croatian.

The new Monopoly is somewhat different from the existing game. There are no Community Chest or Chance cards, for instance. Instead you have bulls and bears.

However, the basic ethos of the game -- naked capitalism -- remains unchanged.

"We have changed the rules slightly," said Monopoly spokeswoman Nicola Gregson. "The essence of the game, however, is exactly the same. You are trying to make as much money as possible and beat your opponents."

Stock exchange Monopoly still brings out the very worst in its players.

What else can explain the sheer joy of telling your opponent: "You're bankrupt! Pay up or I've won!"