Analysis of Monopoly Board Games

*Monopoly, the classic non-digital version by Hasbo, and the digital version Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition (http://board-games.pogo.com/games/monopoly) were both analyized for this assignment.

General Information

Monopoly non-digital version- Game play begins with two, or up to six, players rolling the dice to determine who goes first. As players roll, they advance clockwise around the board as indicated by the number on the dice. Players begin with $1,500 and game pieces on the Go square. If the player passes go during their roll, they will be paid $200.

Players land on property, Chance, or Community Chest squares, if the player lands on an unowned property, he can buy the property for the listed price. If the player declines purchase, the property is auctioned off by the bank to the highest bidder. If property is already owned, the player must pay the landowner a given rent, the price is determined by how much of the set properties are owned and how many buildings are on the property. Buildings can only be constructed if the landowner owns all properties in the color group. All purchases are made to the bank and construction of buildings cannot all be built on one property at a time, properties must be uniform. Developments on properties must be sold before any property of that color can be mortgaged or traded. If properties are mortgaged, the player receives money from the bank and repays with interest, homes are then returned for half their purchase price. All transactions are completed and calculated by the players or determined banker.

Landing on Chance or Community Chest squares allows the player to draw from the respective pile. The player then must complete the task on the card. If a player rolls doubles on the dice, he rolls again after completing the turn. Rolling doubles three times in a row will land the player in jail. If in jail, the player can roll the dice trying for doubles. If the player gets doubles, they are out of jail, if not, the player stays in jail for three turns each time rolling for doubles or the player pays a fee to get out of jail.

The end of the game can sometimes be unreachable, as game play can last a long time. However, game play can be determined at the beginning of the game by the players. If players go bankrupt, other players can go to auction for the properties of the bankrupt owner. This can change the course of the game and allow the game time to run longer. The final goal is to be the player with the most properties owned and the most wealth.

Monopoly digital version- Game play begins with a roll of the dice to determine which player goes first. Players then choose a game piece. With one click of the roll button, the computer quickly advances players around the board according to the number on the dice.

As players land on properties, they are able to purchase the property or go to auction if they do not wish to purchase. If players land on the Chance or Community Chest space, the computer shows the card drawn and takes money owed or advances the player to the space indicated on the card. Passing go pays the players 2 million dollars. All monies are calculated by the computer and a running total is shown by each player’s game piece. Players are able to trade properties with each other, build houses, or mortgage properties during their turn. All money for trades is exchanged between the players.

If the player lands in jail, they can roll for doubles on the dice or pay a fee to get out of jail. If the player rolls doubles 3 times, they are in jail automatically.

The game play is limited to 35 turns, and trading transactions and auctions are also timed at 2 minutes and 30 seconds or under. Each player has 45 seconds to complete play during their roll, and are allowed to pause the game play only during their own turn.

The goal is to obtain the most property, amount of buildings, and largest sum of money by the end of the game without going bankrupt. At the end of the game, there is a graph to show how players ended in net worth totals.

Comparison of two formats: non-digital vs. digital

I have condensed my version of the game definition, it now states:
A game is a single or multiple player activity governed by an organized fixed set of rules, based on conflict/resolution, prior knowledge, interesting storylines, simulation, and virtual environments used to complete a challenging goal in a safe, amusing, interactive way; providing participants opportunities to apply new and prior synthesized knowledge to skilled simulations.

Game Components
1. Rules
2. Organization-clear goal of becoming the person with the most wealth.
3. Players
4. Game pieces
5. Board game/Computer
6. Chance
7. Amusement
8. Safety
9. Time

Monopoly, non-digital version, is a game that has consistent rules with a clear goal of becoming the person with the most wealth and monopolies. The amount of players can range from 2-6, using game pieces, a board, game cards, dice, and play money. The chance is high in each game based on the roll of the dice, game spaces landed on, and cards drawn from the Chance and Community Chest piles. Game play is also varied by the amount of buildings built on purchased properties, and how many properties in the monopoly that each player has purchased. This determines how much rent a player must pay as they land on spaces. The amusement level is high, as players interact with each other and strategize to oust other players by trying to bankrupt them. The game play is somewhat safe, depending on the competiveness of the players involved. The time limit can be determined by the players or left untimed.

Monopoly, digital version and played in guest mode, is a game that has consistent rules with a clear goal of becoming the person with the most wealth and monopolies. The amount of players are 4 consisting of you and 3 other computer players, using digital game pieces, digital game board, virtual game cards, dice, and virtual money. The chance is high in each game based on the roll of the dice, game spaces landed on, and cards drawn from the Chance and Community Chest piles. Game play is also varied by the amount of buildings build on purchased properties, and how many properties in the monopoly that each player has purchased. Properties owned determine how much rent a player must pas as they land on spaces giving the chance to earn money a less/greater percentage. The video component allows for high amusement and interaction level, as the players can bid, auction, and trade properties while trying to bankrupt the other players. The game play in guest mode is a safe playing environment while players only interact with the computer. The time limit is monitored by the computer during each round and limited to 35 turns per game.

Both game play situations are interactive and use knowledge of money management, simulating building net worth. Multiple or single participants work toward becoming the wealthiest player with the highest net worth, competing with a fixed set of rules. Both games are set in safe environments, the non-digital version played among friends or family, and the digital version in guest mode played with only computer opponents. Game play is amusing and interactive in both settings. In the non-digital version, interaction is based on human players and the digital version is highly virtually interactive. Using prior knowledge of money management, or little knowledge for that matter, players are able to learn how to manage money as they purchase, sell, and manage properties. This game provides opportunities to apply new skills learned and can synthesize the information they have learned to strategize for the next game.

Depending on what type of learner the player is would determine which setting would be more enjoyable to the player. According to Prensky’s List, the digital version would appeal to the Graphics vs. Text First and Play vs. Work learners. The digital version is much like a video game and provides much of the calculations for the players. The non-digital game lends itself to follow Kolb’s Converging (doing and thinking) style of learning. The players experience the actual hands-on interaction of calculating the money and simulating trading of properties. They use practical applications to complete the game play.

Interaction

Communication- In the non-digital version, communication between players is a valuable component. Players can strategize with each other bidding and trading of properties to obtain their goal. In this version, personal feelings and persuasion can become a factor extending the time of the game. In the digital version, communication is a click of the mouse. There are no personal feelings and decisions are made very quickly. Repeated interactions can be made by the players, but again are very quick and to the point. Communication does influence both game formats, however, it seems to influence the non-digital version more.

Cooperation between/among players-In the non-digital version, cooperation is a major component. As players become more competitive, and feelings are involved, tension between players could become hazardous to the game play. Many times as players become too involved in the idea of winning the game, it can get too competitive. It is important for players in the non-digital format to cooperate and play for fun. In the digital format, the cooperation level is low. The game in guest mode is the player vs. the computer and at any time if the player feels frustrated they can quit.

Engagement to the games-Both game formats are high in engagement. The only difference is one is human and one is virtual. The non-digital format offers more time for conversation, taunting, and strategizing among players. The engagement between the player and computer in the digital version is just that, virtual. The interaction level is high because it is a quick moving game and players must pay attention to what is going on to know what players are purchasing and the trades offered by other opponents. Players also need to keep track of finances to know what and when they can purchase properties.

Motivation- Both games are highly motivating in that the players ultimately want to become the winner with the highest net worth. In the non-digital format, motivation also comes from the friends or family members that are playing. Everyone wants to own the bragging rights to being the winner. In the digital version, well, no one wants to be beaten by the computer, highest score and tokens are at stake.