A New Edition of Monopoly Encourages You to Scam Everyone

Anyone who has played Hasbro’s Monopoly knows that it's easy to be victimized by unscrupulous players. People can and will swipe money from the bank, move forward or behind one space to land on a more favorable square, or outright lie about the rules to someone unfamiliar with the game.

Previously, such actions might make you reconsider your friendships. Now, you may have to go to the same extremes just to stay competitive. According to Insider, Hasbro's newest version of the game, Monopoly: Cheaters Edition, actually rewards unethical behavior.

The Cheaters Edition game board will look similar to classic Monopoly, with one significant change: Five “cheat cards” will be in play during each game. These cards are designed to encourage players to undermine each other through deceptive tricks like quietly adding hotels without paying, stealing currency, and collecting rent on another person’s property.

And there’s one other significant change: This version of the game doesn't have a designated banker, making the redistribution of your illicit funds that much easier.

If you succeed at pulling off a cheat unnoticed, you'll be rewarded with extra cash or property. But there are consequences if you get caught—including being forced to wear a plastic handcuff affixed to the game board.

According to Jonathan Berkowitz, senior vice president of marketing at Hasbro, the new edition was inspired by surveys of players who admitted to dishonest game strategies.

"A recent study conducted by Hasbro revealed that nearly half of game players attempt to cheat during Monopoly games,” Berkowitz told Insider. “So in 2018, we decided it was time to give fans what they've been craving all along—a Monopoly game that actually encourages cheating.”

Monopoly: Cheaters Edition is due out this fall and will retail for $19.99.

[h/t Insider]