A brand new official version of Edinburgh MONOPOLY is to hit the shops – exactly 20 years on from the first. And for the first time ever in Scotland the playing tokens will be customised to one city.
Amongst the tokens, to be voted by the public, could be a bust of Edinburgh’s most famous son Sir Sean Connery – or, arguably daughter, Elsie Inglis.
“Dedicated” Edinburgh icons that are favourites to ‘Pass GO’ and become tokens in the new game include a panda, comedic mask and miniature castle. There will be six in all – and the public will get to decide.
Other customised tokens could be a miniature of Sir Chris Hoy, a book, rugby ball or an Auld Reekie chimney mini replica.
And in a clear nod to Edinburgh’s most popular pooch the producers Winning Moves UK say the MONOPOLY Scottie dog – which is the most popular of all the original MONOPOLY tokens – will almost certainly change to the beloved Greyfriars Bobby, a legend that has enthralled millions of visitors over the years.
The original Edinburgh board hits the shops in 1998, which was Edinburgh themed but not completely. The tokens were the MONOPOLY originals. But this time the tokens get the boot – including the MONOPOLY boot, racing car, Scottie dog and top hat.
In 1998 it was the first time that any regional board based on a city or town in the UK, outside of London, was produced. Since then there have been several, including Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, but none – until now – have customised playing tokens.
Winning Moves UK’s Benjamin Thompson made the announcement by the statue of Greyfriars Bobby yesterday. He said: “We are now a whole generation on from when Edinburgh first historically ‘Passed GO’ – the very first city in the UK to do so.
“Scotland’s capital city has grown and changed enormously, now with its own Parliament and a whole new generation of people.
“The tokens will be customised for the first time in Scotland and will all be dedicated to Edinburgh,” he adds. “The MONOPOLY streets will all be Edinburgh landmarks and also new will be the Chance and Community Chest cards which will be very heavily Edinburgh themed. One could send players back three spaces for getting stuck in traffic on Queensferry Road. Whilst another could reward players with a VIP visit around Edinburgh Castle.”
The public will get to vote for the landmarks, cards and playing tokens.
“It’s a universal love story – and our mission for this game is for it to be a Love Letter to Edinburgh,” adds Mr Thompson. “The perfect fit and we are absolutely sure Bobby WILL feature prominently in this game.”
The public is now invited to send in suggestions and ideas for the game – both serious and fun.
Every single one of the famous MONOPOLY spaces from the London original like Mayfair and Park Lane – 28 in all – will be getting an Edinburgh makeover. And very many of the Chance and Community Chest cards will also be Edinburgh themed too.
Winning Moves’ Bejamin Thompson added: “We are expecting to be very spoilt for choice for landmarks to fill this board. This very special edition will go into production to be ready in time for this Christmas (2018) and will hit shop shelves this October.
“The game will be sold not just in Edinburgh shops but to the world via Amazon and online. It will be a global seller and further showcase Edinburgh to the world.”
Landmarks that could star on the board include (of course!) Edinburgh Castle, The Palace of Holyrood House, Princes Street and The Royal Mile. The MONOPOLY sets of streets will be themed in sets from heritage to tourism, culture to shopping, education to business and sport to media. The four train stations on the original MONOPOLY will be handed over to a ‘travel’ set. That’s because unlike in the original London MONOPOLY there are not going to be four main line train stations to choose from.
Suggestions can be made to edinburgh@winningmoves.co.uk or via the official Edinburgh MONOPOLY Facebook page. Or by traditional post to Edinburgh MONOPOLY, Winning Moves UK, 7 Praed Street, London W2 1NJ.
Polls close at 23.59pm on 30th April 2018.
How about a tram? Oh well, just a thought …
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