Monopoly Tycoon
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| Monopoly Tycoon | |
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| Developer(s) | Deep Red Games |
| Publisher(s) | Infogrames |
| Version | 1.4 |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release date | September 30, 2001 (US) |
| Genre(s) | Simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single Player, Multiplayer (LAN) |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone |
| System requirements | Win95, P266MHz, 64MB RAM, 90MB free disk space |
| Input methods | Keyboard, Mouse |
Monopoly Tycoon is a PC based game that is derived from the Monopoly board game, published in 2001. However, instead of using dice, the game relies more on the speed and innovativeness of the players. In the standard mode, the user plays against the AI opponents. In the multiplayer version, players go against other online players in order to gain victory.
There are various levels with varying difficulty. Some involve just financial prosperity of the businesses while others involve success in the political arena. But the primary objective of most levels is to accumulate the most wealth in the given time.
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[edit] Characters
The characters available in the game are based on the tokens available for the standard Monopoly Board Game. Each has a short description in the game describing the tokens' strengths. These tokens are:
- Shoe
- Horse
- Battleship
- Top Hat
- Cannon
- Iron
- Thimble
- Racecar
- Dog
- Wheelbarrow
[edit] Time
Time in the game is different than real time. The game starts at 1930, and the year moves up five years at the end of every day.
A day in Monopoly Tycoon is worth 24 hours like a regular day. Every day, at 6 AM, the players have to pay for stock and for bills that go to the utilities (6 AM costs). Tenants in apartments also pay their rent. If the player has enough apartments, their cash can actually go up. Other ways that players can make money include owning utilities, railroads, and other blocks (where businesses pay rent). At 9 AM, the "day businesses" open up until 5 PM when they close for the day. Every day at 6 PM, the "night businesses and entertainment" open up until midnight when another five years go by, a new day begins, and the night businesses close for the day.
Also, every decade, new businesses are unlocked so they can be opened up. These new businesses can be unlocked every decade from 1940 to 1980 at 2 AM.
[edit] Businesses
When the game starts in the year 1930, "basic businesses" like grocery stores, clothes stores, and diners are automatically unlocked. Other businesses available at the start of the game include a bakery, book store, café, doctor's office, toy store, news stand, jewelry store, and hardware store. Original night businesses include a restaurant, bar, cinema, theatre, and ballroom.
By the year 1940, new businesses start to be unlocked (until 1980). Some of these businesses include a department store, ice cream parlor, travel agent, delicatessen or deli, computer store, cell phone shop, health club, and supermarket. The unlocking of night businesses in Monopoly Tycoon ends in the year 1970. This is because that all of the night businesses in the game that exist today already existed by 1975 to 1980. These businesses include a nightclub, pool hall, fast food outlet, bowling alley, amusement arcade, and video store. In some levels all of the day and night businesses do not unlock. For example, if you play the "Biggest Empire Value By 1960" level, only the original businesses, and the businesses that are unlocked from 1940 to 1950 are unlocked at the end of the level.
[edit] Music and Sounds
The music of the game is lighthearted and changes as the game progresses through the different decades. For example, in the 1970's (1970 and 1975 Monopoly Tycoon years), music from the 1970's can be heard. When you get to the year 1990, modern day music plays. This music will play until you get to the year 2030 (this year can only be reached in the "My Mega Metropolis" level). Then, music from the 1930's can be heard from then on.
Also, there are sounds that indicate the time of day and add a level of realism to the game. People, cars, and the wind all make noises, in varying degrees depending on the time of day. For example, during the morning, footsteps of people waking up and coming out of their apartments is played to signify the time the city wakes up. Throughout the game, also, the sound of coins falling can be heard when the player makes money.
[edit] Multiplayer Support
Monopoly Tycoon also includes support for multiplayer game play over a LAN or Internet connection. Additionally, there is support for finding live online opponents through the included GameSpy Arcade software.
[edit] Comparisons to Monopoly (Board Game)
| Standard Monopoly Board | Monopoly Tycoon |
|---|---|
| There are four railroads (Reading, Pennsylvania, B & O, and Short Line) (or Kingscross, Liverpool, Marylebone and Fenchurch Street for UK version). | There are four railroads (Reading, Pennsylvania, B & O, and Short Line) (or Kingscross, Liverpool, Marylebone and Fenchurch Street for UK version), along with an "Airport", a "Bus/Taxi" square, and a "Museum" square. |
| Only has two utilities (Electric Company and Water Works). | Two original utilities (Electric and Water Works), plus two new utilities (Telecoms and Gasworks). |
| Mandatory to pick up and follow directions of Chance and Community Chest cards. | Not mandatory to "pick up" the Chance card. |
| Includes a Go To Jail space, a Jail space, and a Free Parking space. | Includes a Zoo, Campus, School, Hospital, Police and Marina spaces. (you don't have to go to the jail in the game) |
| Flat, two dimensional board. | Three dimensional environment with maneuverable camera and moving time. |
