Most board games discourage cheating. A new version of Monopoly encourages it. According to Geek.com, Hasbro is releasing a special cheater’s edition of the classic game, which asks players to carry out certain deceptive tasks.
“For the first time, ‘borrowing’ money from the bank, skipping spaces, and avoiding rent are welcomed in this hilarious version of the iconic Monopoly game,” according to Hasbro.
Players are permitted to bend the rules and, well, cheat to win. “Pretend” handcuffs (a plastic shackle attached to the board) literally arrests offenders, keeping them chained until their release. (Though how one escapes from Monopoly Cheater’s Edition jail remains unseen.)
“A recent study conducted by Hasbro revealed that nearly half of game players attempt to cheat during Monopoly games, so in 2018, we decided it was time to give fans what they’ve been craving all along. Monopoly game that actually encourages cheating,” Jonathan Berkowitz, senior vice president of Hasbro stated,
Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com starting this fall, the $20 board game is suitable for two to six players, ages eight and up.
In the meantime, Hasbro launched a Monopoly CheatBot, for players to snitch on dishonest family and friends; the Facebook Messenger automaton lets you report cheaters and issue punishments.
Answer a few questions about the offender—How did they cheat? How did they react when caught? How should they make amends?—and you’ll receive a ready-made card to publicly shame the person on social media.
Some may argue that this takes all the fun out of the game. Others might say this is just retribution for defrauding loved ones with plastic hotels and pretend payment.