Spent a little too long sat inside playing boardgames over lockdown? Well, why not amplify your gaming experience by taking part in a life-sized game on the streets of London?
Brought to us by Hasbro and theatre group Gamepath, the 4D experience involves real-life participation, and includes a huge board, escape rooms and team challenges.
The idea is that players move around the board and face challenges in a full-sized location specific rooms, in order to 'acquire' that particular property.
Advert
According to the organisers, "The challenges will be a mixture of physical and mental puzzles and games that will test players' skills and lateral thinking, and will be themed appropriately for the square, featuring either some historical or current day relationship with that part of London."
Players will (naturally) have their own Monopoly token, and have the opportunity to earn money when they pass GO.
Plus, they'll risk going to jail and come across Chance Cards and FREE PARKING cards, along the way.
There's never been a game quite like this before. In fact, it's the first in the world - which is all the more reason to check it out when it's due to open in London on 14th August 2021.
Advert
Tickets are on sale now via the website, and the team behind the game are looking for the biggest Monopoly fans in the UK to be among the first on the board.
Monopoly Lifesized is described as an "immersive, on your feet version of the world's favourite family game brand."
A teaser adds some of the experiences in store, including "the thrill of trying to stage a heist in Mayfair, competing against a clock to build some of London's iconic buildings, solving a baffling murder mystery, stepping into the world of codebreakers..."
Oooh err!
The life-sized game will consist of a 75-minute gameplay segment on a 15 x 15m board, featuring eight Properties, two Utility Companies, two Train Stations, Jail, Free Parking, Go, and Just Visiting.
Advert
Each board can host between eight and 24 people split into four teams, all playing against each other.
The experience will take place at 213 - 215 Tottenham Court Road - a 22,000sq ft building over three floors in the heart of the West End.
It is set to be housed within The Court - a series of central London venues which will be dedicated to live gameplay.
It's set to house a retail outlet, which will sell a whole load of Hasbro game merch and a Monopoly-themed bar and restaurant, known as The Top Hat.
The game has an incredible team behind it, who have worked in immersive theatre, tech and escape room worlds.
Advert
Creative producers are Tom Beynon and Paul Mansfield, with set design by Tim McQuillen-Wright (designer for Secret Cinema experiences Stranger Things, Blade Runner, and Moulin Rouge).
Meanwhile costume design is by Sarah Mercade, sound design is by Luke Swaffield and Production Management is by Entourage.
Julia Posen, Head of Development at Gamepath said: "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.
"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!"
Advert
Meanwhile, David Hutchinson, CEO of Gamepath said, "For us, MONOPOLY LIFESIZED represents a major entry into a growing and exciting marketplace. Audiences want to consume live performance differently, and what better way than to jump into a lifesized version of the world's favourite board game?
"Our creative team has been working their magic to fuse an experience that puts our audiences centre place on the board, and brings together our theatrical roots with innovative, digital and immersive storytelling."
In line with current guidelines, the venue is set to be COVID-secure, with one-way systems for the retail and food and beverage areas, hand sanitisers throughout the building, an enhanced deep cleaning regime.
There will also be temperature checks for patrons and staff on arrival, and players are encouraged to form teams within their household bubbles to keep social interaction safe.
Tickets are on sale now via the website.