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Want a hashtag token in Monopoly? Then, vote for it
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Monopoly players are allowed to choose and vote for eight tokens from a list of more than 50. (Shutterstock/Stefano Mazzola)
V
oting has opened for fans of the Monopoly board game to choose whether to keep their favourite playing pieces or to bring in newfangled pawns which include a hashtag, a bulky first-generation mobile phone and a number of emojis.
The public has until Jan 31 to vote for the tokens, some of which have been around since the game was introduced during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
It is not the first time that Hasbro Inc, which sells the game in which players buy and sell real estate, has given players the option of adding new tokens. A 2013 vote saw the iron voted out and replaced by a shiny metal cat.
“Only time will tell if fans will decide to stay with the classics, keep a few favourites or pick an entirely new lineup of tokens,” said Jonathan Berkowitz, a Hasbro executive, in a statement announcing the vote on Jan 10.
When Monopoly was first invented – there is controversy over who actually came up with the idea, but Charles Darrow’s name has been lobbed around – players used small items, such as a bottle cap or button, from around their homes as playing pieces. According to the Monopoly website, it was Darrow’s niece who suggested that the pieces be charms from a girl’s charm bracelet.
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Monopoly players are allowed to choose and vote for eight tokens from a list of more than 50. Options can be viewed at VoteMonopoly.com.
The classic tokens include the Scottie dog, boot and thimble, while some of the new options are a penguin, sunglasses, rubber duck, computer, bicycle, gramophone and bunny slipper.
The results will be revealed on monopoly.com on World Monopoly Day, March 19, with the new selection appearing in the next generation of the game, set to be released in August.
Meanwhile, a special edition of the game, Monopoly Token Madness is available with 16 tokens – the eight classic ones as well as eight special editions including a penguin, TV, Mr. Monopoly emoji, watch and wheel.
This article appeared on The Star newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
