NEW YORK – The gig is almost up for one of the eight Monopoly tokens. But which will it be? Iron? Thimble? Top Hat?
Or another of their board game buddies?
Hasbro is holding a Facebook contest to eliminate one of the eight tokens that identify the players and introduce a new one. Possible new tokens include a cat, diamond ring, guitar, toy robot and helicopter.
It’s the latest effort by the toymaker to jazz up the game which debuted almost eight decades ago.
In recent years Hasbro introduced a version that replaces paper money with an electronic bank and another that incorporates an iPad. There is an app-only version of the game for smartphones and tablets.
Monopoly’s tokens have actually changed quite a lot over the years. The original version also included a lantern, purse, cannon and a rocking horse. A horse and rider token was used in the 1950s. During World War II, metal tokens were replaced by wooden ones.
But this time, users have a say.
So if you are tired of the iron token and would rather be represented by a robot, here’s your chance to make those wishes known. Facebook fans of Monopoly can vote on which piece to eliminate and which one to add. The voting ends Feb. 5.
Up for elimination: all eight current tokens including a battleship, iron, racecar, Scottie dog, shoe, thimble, top hat and wheelbarrow. Most tokens were introduced with the first Parker Brothers iteration of the game in 1935, and the Scottie dog and wheelbarrow were added in the early 1950s.
A special $17.99 limited edition of the game called Golden Ticket will be available in Target stores beginning Feb. 15 with golden versions of both the old and new tokens. It will be the last time all of the classic tokens will be available with the game.
Versions of Monopoly with the new token will come out later this year.
On the Web: Facebook.com/monopoly
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