Current financial services professionals who first got interested in the industry by playing commerce-related board games may be disappointed to know that this career introduction is becoming a thing of the past.
Monopoly, for example, now has a cashless edition, as reported by PYMNTS.
Modern Board Game’s Impact on Financial Literacy Development
In his blog Affiliate Pinnacle, Digital Affiliate Marketer Ashanur Rahman chronicled the extent to which games like Monopoly can bolster financial savviness in children and perhaps spark an interest in the financial services industry.
Without it, he conjectures, kids risk losing early exposure to financial literacy in action, gained from active participation in real estate transactions, cash management, risk assessment, buying and sales experience, and handling money.
Monopoly Gets a Modern Makeover – No More Banker
Called Monopoly Voice Banking, this version eliminates the banker role.
A player is no longer designated to dole out players’ $1,500 at the start of the game, collect property sale proceeds and rent payments, issue deeds, sell houses and hotels, and distribute passing-go funds.
All that cash management has been replaced with an AI, voice-controlled top hat in the center of the board.
The Game of Life Goes Cashless – Pseudo Credit Cards
Cashless gameplay isn’t solely the distinction of the most famous board game based on Atlantic City, N.J., geography. The Game of Life has also been similarly updated as Game of Life Twists and Turns.
The Game of Life Twists and Turns edition relies on a “Lifehub,” a smoke detector–sized computer that mirrors Monopoly’s electronic top hat. Interactions with the Lifehub are handled through a credit card given to each player.
As with the high-tech version of Monopoly, the technologically advanced version of Life gets praise from Amazon purchasers for speeding up the proceedings. Several reviewers noted that its streamlined transactions make it ideal for adults and children to play together.
Online sources indicate that Hasbro, the manufacturer, may have discontinued manufacturing this game; however, it appears readily available on Amazon.
Legacy Games Still Around
Despite technological changes to some classic board games, it is noteworthy that their original, currency-based versions are still available. As well, several other classic games that rely on payments — like Pay Day and Operation — still rely on paper money.
The source material for this article can be found on PYMTS, Affiliate Pinnacle and the Monopoly Voice Banking game description on Amazon.
