Hasbro and Partner Gamepath Say Immersive Monopoly Game Coming to London This Summer
Hasbro is pulling out all the stops on its latest foray into the entertainment industry, partnering with Gamepath to create an immersive, life-sized version of Monopoly scheduled to debut in London on Aug. 14.
Gamepath is a division of the UK-based Selladoor Worldwide production company, responsible for producing high-end theater productions in London and around the world.
“We are thrilled to be working with our best-in-class partners at Gamepath,” said Matt Proulx, vice president, Location Based Experiences at Hasbro. “Given its track record creating world class live performances, we believe that combining their skills along with our beloved Monopoly brand will create an exceptional, one-of-a-kind experience that truly brings the Monopoly game to life in a way only once imagined. We cannot wait for individuals of all ages to be able to once again get out and play together.”
Billed as the first attraction of its kind in the world, the attraction will combine the best elements of Monopoly game play with a variety of escape room challenges and cooperative team play. As players move around the board, to be located in the posh Mayfair neighborhood, they participate in various missions to earn money, buy properties, and progress through the game.
Obviously, there are a lot of game play elements that do not appear on the iconic game play, and for which you may need your Get Out of Jail Free card. For example, Hasbro says players will be able to stage a thrilling heist in Mayfair, or on the other side of the law, solve a murder mystery. More conventionally, the live game also includes real estate elements, as players can compete to build some of London’s most historic buildings.
The Monopoly experience is being constructed in a historic, 22,000 square foot building on the famous Tottenham Court Road, and will extend over three floors. In addition to the game elements, the attraction will also feature a restaurant called The Top Hat where players can relax after the game, and a gift store selling Hasbro game merchandise and souvenirs.
The experience itself sees players competing over 75 minutes on a board measuring 15 meters square, or about 161 square feet. The board will feature eight properties, two utility companies, two train stations, and the Monopoly-inspired squares for Free Parking, Just Visiting, Go, and of course, the Jail, where you’ll go if you fail the Heist Challenge. Each board can host between eight to 24 people, who are typically split into four teams.
As in the board game, each team will have their own personal Monopoly token—such as the Scottie Dog, Boot, Racing Car, Top Hat, etc.—leading them around the game, taking scores, and giving hints where required. While the board is not that large, the attraction is actually much larger, as each property square will have a full-sized room behind it where players must solve a challenge in order to acquire the property.
Hasbro says the Monopoly attraction will be created by a diverse team drawn from tech companies, escape room designers, and set designers from London’s famous world of theatre.
The team will be led by creative producers Tom Beynon and Paul Mansfield, with set design by Tim McQuillen-Wright (designer for Secret Cinema experiences Stranger Things, Blade Runner, and Moulin Rouge), with costume design by Sarah Mercade, sound design by Luke Swaffield, and production management by Entourage.
“Hasbro’s original board game continues to lead the market year in, year out and is loved globally by every generation that has grown up with the game,” said Julia Posen, head of development at Gamepath. “It has been an exciting journey to work with the talented Gamepath production team to bring this new experience to central London. We’re very excited as we know we have created something really special for people of all ages. When you step into the world we’re creating, we promise a dynamic, lively interactive experience and a great night out. Get ready for high risks and high rewards where there’s no ceiling to winning. As long as you can stay out of jail.”
Despite the success of the British vaccine program, the producers continue to keep pandemic precautions at the forefront of their planning. The venue will be Covid-secure, adhering to all the latest government guidelines, including one-way systems for the retail and food and beverage areas, hand sanitizers throughout the building, an enhanced deep cleaning regime, and with temperature checks undertaken for patrons and staff on arrival.
The capacity for each gameboard is limited to 24 maximum, and players are encouraged to form teams within their household bubbles. The producers will keep guidelines under constant review.
“After everything we’ve missed out on individually and collectively and given the decimation of our high streets and city centres, it’s really exciting to be launching this now,” said said David Hutchinson, CEO of Gamepath. “We hope that we’ll be able to contribute to the recovery of Central London, and bring people back together in our fabulous Capital with a major new attraction in a major new destination building.”