The next Monopoly game token to ‘Pass Go!’ and collect $200 will be… the cat!
Monopoly fans have voted to make a cat the newest token in the popular board game, replacing the not-so-hot iron, toymaker Hasbro Inc. said.
After a month of voting on Facebook, and an overwhelming response from fans and organisations from 185 countries around the world, the cat has been chosen and will become the newest addition to the classic game.
In addition to getting rid of an existing token, fans also voted on which new one to include. The cat clawed its way past a toy robot, guitar, helicopter and diamond ring.
In the vote to decide which classic tokens would be ‘saved’ by fans, the Scottie dog was a clear early favourite, eventually securing 29 per cent of the vote.
Meanwhile, supporters of the iron, wheelbarrow and shoe campaigned vigorously to save their favourite token from a lifetime in jail and ensure it would remain in the game.
After a very close race, fans voted the iron out. With only eight per cent of the vote, the iconic token fell behind the wheelbarrow and the shoe and will be pressed out of service from the game for good.
“While we’re a bit sad to see the iron go, the cat token is a fantastic choice by the fans and we have no doubt it will become just as iconic as the original tokens,” Eric Nyman, senior vice president and global brand leader for Hasbro Gaming, said in a statement.
In the popular property game launched in the 1930s, players try to get rich by buying, renting and trading properties. The game, which according to Hasbro has been played by more than a billion people, is sold in 111 countries and is available in 43 languages and a digital version.
Hasbro said it will also issue a special edition with gold-coloured versions of the eight classic tokens and the five tokens included in the online vote.
Hasbro said the iron will be eliminated in new editions that arrive in stores later this year.
“We know that cat lovers around the world will be happy to welcome the new cat token into the Monopoly game,” said Nyman.