Monopoly
A study in terrible game design
It is an old game
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/3939/images/7379010/15-MONOPOLY-JP1-superJumbo.jpg)
Why do we play games?
Because they are FUN.
Monopoly takes forever
![](https://media3.giphy.com/media/94kWcHb9e4QX6/giphy.gif)
- Money management is hard
- Rent collection is slow
- You can spend rounds without any changes
Technical Issues
Runaway Leader
![](https://media1.giphy.com/media/xN6zyKDFFHcNq/giphy.gif)
Kingmaker
![](https://media3.giphy.com/media/lSIxkyijX7MuZxJot6/giphy.gif)
Player Eliminations
![](https://media1.giphy.com/media/gZPJW4aDv26Xu/giphy.gif)
The worst thing any game can do is to stop the player from having fun.
Negative Progress
![](https://media2.giphy.com/media/l2Je5uYolMojbjxbq/giphy.gif)
Closing time is undecidable
![](https://media0.giphy.com/media/tfi6qWIxBu1Ec/giphy.gif)
Nobody reads the rules
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/3939/images/7379103/2020-05-19_23-36.png)
Time Investment != Return
![](https://media2.giphy.com/media/3ohhwoSDfkICQC4372/giphy.gif)
Chance
Agency
100% CHANCE
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/3939/images/7379324/Snakes_and_Ladders.jpg)
Chess
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/3939/images/7379121/2020-05-19_23-40.png)
Settlers of Catan
Chance | 10% |
---|---|
Skill | 30% |
Initial Settlements Position | 30% |
Is the map biased against you? | 10% |
Beating that one player | 20% |
Blackjack
Chance | Skill |
---|---|
49% | 51% |
Monopoly
Luck | 61% |
---|---|
Getting Eliminated and Sulking | 5% |
Fighting over House Rules | 7% |
Refusing to Trade | 5% |
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ | 5% |
How to win at Monopoly
- Transports have the highest investment to return ratio
- Orange properties give the best returns
- Buying the Orange and then the Greens/Red is a sure victory
- Never buy Boardwalk
- If nothing of the above is working out, get the light blue and pink properties
- Start Mortgaging early to raise money for essential trades
Monopoly Deal
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/3939/images/7379343/Monopoly-Deal-Card-Game.jpg)
Compare
Monopoly | Monopoly Deal | |
---|---|---|
Playing Time | 60 minutes to "why are we still playing?" | 15 minutes per game |
Chance/Skill | Lots of Chance | Lots of Chance |
Eliminations | Long-eliminations | No eliminations |
House Rules | Too many house rules | Standard game works well. Remove Deal Breaker cards for more balanced games. |
Fun | One-upping your friend, stealing their properties | One-upping your friend, stealing their properties |
Monopoly:
By Nemo
Monopoly:
- 2,288