Monopoly Star Wars

Last updated
Monopoly Star Wars
Monopoly Star Wars video game cover.jpg
Developer(s) Artech Studios
Publisher(s) Hasbro Interactive
Series Monopoly
Star Wars
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
ReleaseOctober 21, 1997 [1]
Genre(s) Strategy, board game

Monopoly Star Wars is the 1997 Monopoly Star Wars video game based on the board game and set in the Star Wars fictional universe. It is one of many Monopoly video game adaptions. The game was developed by Artech Studios and published by Hasbro Interactive. It was released exclusively for Microsoft Windows computers. The game employs the same basic ruleset of traditional Monopoly gameplay, but the Star Wars theme includes famous characters and locales in place of the original game pieces and properties.

Contents

Monopoly Star Wars received mixed reviews upon its release. It won the 1998 Software Publishers Association Award for "Best Use of Visual Arts in Multimedia". The multimedia, from full-motion videos to 3D animations were generally praised, but also caused criticism due to slowing the pace of the game. A PlayStation version of the game was announced at E3 1997, but was soon canceled for unknown reasons.

Gameplay

After a player rolls their turn, the camera angle changes to a side-view perspective. Once the character lands on the appropriate spot a FMV clip plays. MonopolySW gameplay.jpg
After a player rolls their turn, the camera angle changes to a side-view perspective. Once the character lands on the appropriate spot a FMV clip plays.

The gameplay closely resembles that of the original source material. [2] Players begin by selecting a game piece, each modeled after famous Star Wars characters. Playable characters consist of Han Solo, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Stormtrooper. Whilst the game pieces appear to be cast metal during piece selection, during gameplay they are fully animated and are textured to look like their film counterparts. Players can choose up to four players, with up to three AI players if a person wishes to play solo. Several options allow players to customize the game to their preferences. C-3PO serves as narrator for the game, voiced by Anthony Daniels. [3]

After character selection, play begins with a perspective view of the board, with a starship representing each player flanking each side. These starships display a player's current funds and properties available, and also have an identical character piece attached to the side of the ship. Traditional Monopoly properties are replaced with various Star Wars locales, whilst corner spaces such as Free Parking are kept the same. Instead of building houses and hotels, players accumulate starports. [4] Once a player rolls their turn, the camera shifts to a side-view perspective. This sequence contains animation and clips from the films, which play out when players land on their designated space. [5] Players also had the option to compete in multiplayer LAN games, and observe such games through Microsoft's Internet Gaming Zone, [3] through agreements with Microsoft and Sony Online Entertainment. [6] Zone Support for CD-ROM games ceased on June 19, 2006. [7] GameRanger has since enabled support for it, reviving its multiplayer functionality. [8]

Development

Previously, Hasbro had created a board game version of Star Wars Monopoly, which has sold very well; 1997 was the year of a Special Edition version of the Star Wars original trilogy, so it was decided to release a video game version for the Christmas season, [9] to build on the Monopoly franchise. [10] Programmer Alexander G. M. Smith was in charge of software design for the rules engine. [9] The 3D crew produced a sizzle reel to show Hasbro, and the project was approved. [9] Anthony Daniels, who portrays the droid C3PO in the Star Wars films, contributed his writing skills to the game. [11] During the development process, the "simple but effective dialog boxes and 2D board were replaced by fancy animations, sound effects, and speech". [9] Due to the rushed development toward the end, certain features such as a user interface for trading immunities and futures was left out, while a Japanese version of the title was postponed. [9] The game was officially finished on October 18, 1997. [9] A PlayStation version of the game was announced at E3 1997, but was soon canceled for unknown reasons. This version would allow players to control characters freely. [12]

Upon the title's announcement, Jack Sorensen, president of LucasArts, explained "the Star Wars franchise will expand to a much broader audience who will now have an opportunity to experience two cultural icons in a whole new way." [13] Meanwhile, Hasbro Interactive President Tom Dusenberry commented that "both of these entertainment properties are so ingrained in our culture..together they create an even bigger, more thrilling entertainment experience". [14] The game was officially previewed at the 1997 Children's Interactive Expo. [15] Hasbro Interactive launched a companion website for the game in October–November 1997. [16]

Reception

Monopoly Star Wars received mixed reviews upon its release. It won the 1998 Software Publishers Association Award for "Best Use of Visual Arts in Multimedia". [23] It made Eurogamer's December 2016 list of notable Star Wars spinoffs. [24]

Nick Smith of AllGame liked that the game did more than simply slap the Star Wars name on a Monopoly game; rather the design authentically incorporate aspects of the Star Wars universe. [2] Similarly, The Adrenaline Vault's Jim Brambaugh noted the game's "authenticity", noting the potential for a quick cash-in through the merging of the popular Star Wars and Monopoly franchises. [19] Walter Morbeck of GameSpot thought the melding of the two properties was a good idea, but that the resulting game was "somewhat pointless". [17] The Boston Globe's Kathy McCabe thought the endeavour "married tradition and pop culture". [25] Robin Ray of The Boston Herald deemed the game "marvelous". [26] The Cincinnati Post's Pam Gleichman said aspects of the game were "classic" and "stunning". [27]

Cody Williamson of PC Gamer praised the multimedia aspects of the game, from full-motion videos to "luscious 3D animation as the players jump, duck, and somersault from space to space". [18] However Williamson noted that this slows the pace of the game, and ultimately he turned many multimedia features off, which left him with little change from a standard Monopoly game. Ultimately he felt that most would prefer "gathering around the dining room table for a good, old-fashioned board game". [18]

Related Research Articles

<i>Monopoly</i> (game) Property trading board game

Monopoly is a multiplayer economics-themed board game. In the game, players roll two dice to move around the game board, buying and trading properties and developing them with houses and hotels. Players collect rent from their opponents and aim to drive them into bankruptcy. Money can also be gained or lost through Chance and Community Chest cards and tax squares. Players receive a salary every time they pass "Go" and can end up in jail, from which they cannot move until they have met one of three conditions. House rules, hundreds of different editions, many spin-offs, and related media exist. Monopoly has become a part of international popular culture, having been licensed locally in more than 103 countries and printed in more than 37 languages. As of 2015, it was estimated that the game had sold 275 million copies worldwide. The original game was based on locations in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States with the exception of Marven Gardens which is in adjacent Ventnor, NJ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CD-i</span> Video game console and interactive multimedia CD player

The Compact Disc-Interactive is a digital optical disc data storage format that was co-developed and marketed by Dutch company Philips and Japanese company Sony. It was created as an extension of CDDA and CD-ROM and specified in the Green Book specifications, co-developed by Philips and Sony, to combine audio, text and graphics. The two companies initially expected to impact the education/training, point of sale, and home entertainment industries, but the CD-i is largely remembered today for its video games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hasbro</span> American multinational toy and entertainment company

Hasbro, Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company incorporated and headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Hasbro owns the trademarks and products of Kenner, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, and Wizards of the Coast, among others. As of August 2020, over 81.5% of its shares were held by large financial institutions.

<i>Myst</i> 1993 video game

Myst is an adventure video game designed by Rand and Robyn Miller. It was developed by Cyan, Inc., published by Broderbund, and first released in 1993 for the Macintosh. In the game, the player travels via a special book to a mysterious island called Myst. The player interacts with objects and traverses the environment by clicking on pre-rendered imagery. Solving puzzles allows the player to travel to other worlds ("Ages"), which reveal the backstory of the game's characters and help the player make the choice of whom to aid.

<i>Night Trap</i> 1992 interactive movie

Night Trap is a 1992 interactive movie developed by Digital Pictures and published by Sega for the Sega CD. Presented primarily through full-motion video (FMV), Night Trap has the player observe teenage girls having a sleepover visiting a house which, unbeknownst to them, is infested with vampires. The player watches live surveillance footage and triggers traps to capture anyone endangering the girls. The player can switch between different cameras to keep watch over the girls and eavesdrop on conversations to follow the story and listen for clues.

<i>Pyst</i> 1997 video game

Pyst is an adventure computer game released in October 1996. It was created as a parody of the highly successful adventure game Myst. Pyst was written by Peter Bergman, a co-founder of the Firesign Theatre, and was published by Parroty Interactive, with Bergman, Stallone, Inc. as co-publisher. Mindscape began distributing the game on August 20, 1997. The parody features full motion video of actor John Goodman as "King Mattruss", the ruler of "Pyst Island". Versions of the game were produced for both the Windows PC and Apple Macintosh operating systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin Interactive Entertainment</span> Former British video game publisher

Avalon Interactive Group, Ltd. was a British video game distributor based within Europe that formerly traded as the video game publishing and distributing division of British conglomerate the Virgin Group.

<i>Star Wars: X-Wing</i> (video game) 1993 video game

Star Wars: X-Wing is a space simulation video game, the first of the X-Wing combat flight simulation games series. The player's character flies starfighters, including the X-wing, for the Rebel Alliance. The narrative precedes and parallels the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

<i>Nightmare Ned</i> 1997 video game

Nightmare Ned is a 1997 computer game for Microsoft Windows that was developed alongside the animated series of the same name. The game was based on a concept by Sue and Terry Shakespeare. It was released on October 7, 1997.

<i>Star Warped</i> 1997 video game

Star Warped is a first-person point-and-click adventure video game that parodies the Star Wars universe, specifically the original trilogy released between 1977 and 1983: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. It was created by Parroty Interactive, which was a division of the game's publisher, Palladium Interactive. Star Warped was released in the United States and Canada, for both Windows PC and Macintosh, in late 1997 as a follow-up to their debut Myst parody, Pyst. The game is no longer in release, as Parroty's parent company folded after being bought by The Learning Company in 1998. The game invited players to "Be seduced by the power of the Dork Side". Star Warped received mixed reviews from critics: some praised the game's variety, originality, and humor, while others dismissed it as lazy, unfunny, and dull.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monopoly in video games</span> Video game series

There have been numerous Monopoly video games based on the core game mechanics of Parker Brothers and Hasbro's board game Monopoly. They have been developed by numerous teams and released on multiple platforms over 35+ years.

History of <i>Monopoly</i> History of the board game

The board game Monopoly has its origin in the early 20th century. The earliest known version, known as The Landlord's Game, was designed by Elizabeth Magie and first patented in 1904, but existed as early as 1902. Magie, a follower of Henry George, originally intended The Landlord's Game to illustrate the economic consequences of Ricardo's Law of economic rent and the Georgist concepts of economic privilege and land value taxation. A series of board games was developed from 1906 through the 1930s that involved the buying and selling of land and the development of that land. By 1933, a board game already existed much like the modern version of Monopoly that has been sold by Parker Brothers and related companies through the rest of the 20th century, and into the 21st. Several people, mostly in the midwestern United States and near the East Coast of the United States, contributed to its design and evolution.

<i>Star Wars: TIE Fighter</i> 1994 video game

Star Wars: TIE Fighter is a 1994 Star Wars space flight simulator and space combat video game, a sequel in the Star Wars: X-Wing series. It places the player in the role of an Imperial starfighter pilot during events that occur between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

<i>Disneys Animated Storybook</i> Interactive storybook video game series

Disney's Animated Storybook is a point-and-click adventure interactive storybook video game series based on Walt Disney feature animations and Pixar films that were released throughout the 1990s. They were published by Disney Interactive for personal computers for children ages four to eight years old. Starting from 1994, most of the entries in the series were developed by Media Station. They have the same plots as their respective films, though abridged due to the limited medium.

<i>Early Learning House</i> 1990s collection of educational video games and compilations

Early Learning House or simply the House Series is a collection of four main educational video games and two compilations for the Windows and Macintosh platforms, developed by Theatrix Interactive, Inc. and published by Edmark software. Each different game focuses on a particular major learning category with selectable skill settings for preschooler, kindergarten and elementary learners. Millie's Math House (1992) on mathematics, Bailey's Book House (1993) on language, Sammy's Science House (1994) on science, and Trudy's Time and Place House (1995) on history and geography. A spin-off, Stanley's Sticker Stories (1996), sees players create animated storybooks with the series' characters. Millie & Bailey Preschool and Millie & Bailey Kindergarten each contain the combined activities from two of the four software products. In addition the programs can be configured by an adult mode to suit students with special needs. Most of the activities in every game have two modes, one to allow learners to explore and try it out for themselves and the other for learners to follow specific tasks set by the game characters. Learners also have the option to print pictures of creative activities and record sounds in phonics activities. Later the games were re-developed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learning Technology and re-published by The Learning Company with newer graphics and additional activities.

Madeline is a series of educational point-and-click adventure video games which were developed during the mid-1990s for Windows and Mac systems. The games are an extension of the Madeline series of children's books by Ludwig Bemelmans, which describe the adventures of a young French girl. The video-game series was produced concurrently with a TV series of the same name, with characters and voice actors from the show.

<i>Monopoly</i> (1995 video game) 1995 video game

Monopoly is a 1995 video game based on the board game Monopoly. Developed by Westwood Studios, published by Hasbro Electronic Entertainment and distributed by Virgin Interactive Entertainment. This title was one of many inspired by the property. It was later reissued in 1998 with different box art.

<i>Monopoly Here and Now</i> (video game) 2006 video game

Monopoly Here and Now is a video game adaption of the board game of the same name, which itself is a version of the classic board game Monopoly. It was originally developed by Glu Mobile for the mobile market in 2006. A PC version was created by Encore Software for the Windows XP/Vista in 2007. It was then released for the iOS as "Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition". It was developed by EA Mobile and Hasbro. The game marked the franchise's debut into the iOS market, and was launched on Nov 20, 2008. The game was also scheduled for release on Nokia N-Gage. The game was added to the Pogo.com platform in 2009.

<i>Virtual Murder</i> (video game series) Mystery-adventure video game series

Virtual Murder, renamed as Murder Mystery is a four-part murder mystery adventure video game series developed by Creative Multimedia Corporation. The games were released in 1993 and 1994 for Macintosh and Windows PCs.

Leonardo da Vinci is a 1997 interactive CD-ROM game by Corbis, consisting of a "computerized viewing tool which permits the user to examine English translations of the Codex [Leicester] superimposed onto facsimiles of its pages". The tool, known as Codescope, is licensed by Corbis.

References

  1. Jebens, Harley (October 15, 1997). "Old Voice Graces New Game". GameSpot . Archived from the original on March 2, 1999. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Smith, Nick. "Monopoly Star Wars - Review". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Windows Magazine. Vol. 9. CMP Publications, Incorporated. 1998. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  4. Algeo-Krizman, Karen (December 18, 1997). "CLASSIC BYTES AGELESS TOYS AND GAMES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY NOW ON CD-ROM.(Entertainment/Weekend/Spotlight)(Review)". Rocky Mountain News . Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  5. Computer Gaming World. Vol. 168. Golden Empire Publications. 1998. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  6. McCabe, Kathy (June 2, 1999). "Video game wars Hasbro Interactive fights for share in crowded market". The Boston Globe . Retrieved March 12, 2017.[ dead link ]
  7. "Beyond the Zone – MSN Games Looks to the Future". MSN Games. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  8. "GameRanger - Supported Games". GameRanger. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Smith, Alexander G. M. "About Alexander G. M. Smith (agmsmith, @AGMS00, etc)". web.ncf.ca. Archived from the original on April 4, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  10. Olsen, Katherine Applefeld (August 23, 1997). Holiday Product Showcase: For kids, a multimedia of learning, 3-D Morphing and virtual Barbie. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  11. "Biography - Anthony Daniels". professional website of Anthony Daniels. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  12. IGN Staff (June 19, 1997). "E3: Do Not Pass Alderon". IGN. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2002.
  13. "The Most Popular Game Meets The Greatest Movie of All Time... Monopoly Star Wars CD-ROM Game Makes History This Fall! - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. June 19, 1997. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  14. "Original Star Wars Cast Member Anthony Daniels Stars As His Beloved C-3PO Character In Monopoly Star Wars CD-ROM Game - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. September 29, 1997. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  15. "Leading All-Family Games Publisher Hasbro Interactive To Showcase Premier Line-Up Of CD-Roms At The Children's Interactive Expo - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. October 14, 1997. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  16. Snyder, Beth (November 3, 1997). "INTERACTIVE: HASBRO LAUNCHES WEB SITES FOR FIVE INTERACTIVE GAMES: MONOPOLY STAR WARS, PICTIONARY AND OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE ONLINE". Advertising Age . Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  17. 1 2 Morbeck, Walter (December 16, 1997). "Monopoly Star Wars Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  18. 1 2 3 Williamson, Cody (February 1998). "Monopoly: Star Wars CD-ROM Edition". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on December 9, 1999. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  19. 1 2 Brambaugh, Jim (December 12, 1997). "Monopoly Star Wars PC review". The Adrenaline Vault. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  20. Royal, Tim. "Star Wars Monopoly: The Emperor's Foreclosure". Computer Games Magazine . Archived from the original on October 8, 2001. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  21. "Star Wars Monopoly Review". Computer Gaming World. April 1998.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  22. "Computer Gaming World Issue 165". April 1998.
  23. "SW Monopoly". Artech Studios. Archived from the original on March 10, 2001. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  24. Mason, Graeme (December 18, 2018). "A Force aside: Eight notable Star Wars spinoffs". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  25. McCabe, Kathy (December 14, 1997). "Area toy firms bet on Patton, games". The Boston Globe . Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  26. Ray, Robin (August 12, 2001). "Casino game hits Monopoly jackpot.(Arts and Lifestyle)". The Boston Herald . Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  27. Gleichman, Pam (December 10, 1997). "TOP SOFTWARE PICKS MAKE DANDY STOCKING STUFFERS.(LIVING)". The Cincinnati Post. Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

Monopoly Star Wars at MobyGames