The objective of the new Parker Brothers game, which retails for $49.99, is personal gain. Each player begins in a separate city, and from there they embark on risky—and opulently expensive—construction projects. In New York, viable properties range from the Chrysler building to the Flatiron Building, while across the country in San Francisco, Lombard Street and Alcatraz Island graciously accept nine-figure bids for players to contract, develop and build to the skies.
Players aim to develop their properties to unreasonable lengths, with the ultimate goal of making as immense an impact on the regional skyline as possible. When landmarks of historic value are destroyed in the process, extra points are awarded and players move ahead in the game. The winner is declared when the final skylines are compared, and the player with the largest environmental and sociological footprint is crowned champion.
Adding a fun twist to a classic game, the Deutsche Bank Creditors appear if an 11 is rolled via the twin dice. White Collar Cards can be used when Creditors attempt to collect a player’s debts. Players have the option to litigate Deutsche Bank to extend their playing time, although this move hinders construction projects and puts players behind in their game. Rolling an 11 to unleash Deutsche is the most detrimental move in “Monopoly: Real Estate Con Artist,” and should be averted if possible.
Players collect Reputation Cards, which gauge public opinion. Reputation Cards are collected when players take out self-promoting advertisements in local newspapers, and are lost when Creditors are litigated and contractors are left underpaid or without pay at all. Reputation Cards, along with White Collar Cards, are the most important mechanic in the game aside from the construction itself.
The game provides a fascinating new look at modern American business culture and the hilariously lackadaisical attitude of the regional real estate authorities toward ludicrously wealthy individuals who do whatever they desire—because much like a belligerent, petulant real estate meteorite might descend on New York City, the winner is the player who leaves the largest impact.
‘Monopoly: Real Estate Con Artist’ hitting shelves soon
All articles featured in The Beet are creative, satirical and/or entirely fictional pieces. They are fully intended as such and should not be taken seriously as news.
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