Monopoly - Softonic English

Harry Potter will unexpectedly mix with one of the most famous apps in the world

Scopely has announced an exciting collaboration that will merge the popular mobile game Monopoly Go! with the iconic Harry Potter franchise. The special event will launch on December 10 and will offer players a unique experience that incorporates characters, collectibles, and mini-games inspired by the magical world of Harry Potter. Alohomora, to jail! In this unprecedented Monopoly adventure, players will have the opportunity to explore original elements that reflect the essence of the saga created by J.K. Rowling. According to the event description in the game, “when Mr. Monopoly crosses the magical world, players will be able to […]

Scopely has announced an exciting collaboration that will merge the popular mobile game Monopoly Go! with the iconic Harry Potter franchise. The special event will launch on December 10 and will offer players a unique experience that incorporates characters, collectibles, and mini-games inspired by the magical world of Harry Potter.

Alohomora, to jail!

In this unprecedented adventure of Monopoly, players will have the opportunity to explore original elements that reflect the essence of the saga created by J.K. Rowling. According to the event description in the game, “when Mr. Monopoly travels through the magical world, players will be able to interact with various characters from the Harry Potter universe, which adds a new level of immersion to the classic gameplay of Monopoly”.

Fans of both franchises can expect not only themed collectibles but also mini-games that will add extra fun to the game dynamics. With this approach, Scopely aims to attract not only followers of Monopoly, but also those enthusiasts of the Harry Potter world, offering a crossover that promises to be magical.

The event will integrate features that will immerse players even more in the game’s mechanics. Items and missions specifically designed to enrich the user experience are on the agenda, suggesting detailed planning to capture players’ attention from the launch. The inclusion of mini-games also implies that there will be various ways to interact and enjoy the game beyond the simple buy and sell strategy.

With the release scheduled for December, the anticipation for this collaboration is already generating conversation in the fan communities of both franchises. Although not all details have been revealed, the possibility of experiencing an adventure in the Harry Potter universe through Monopoly Go! promises to be a magical experience for both new players and veterans of these beloved series.

The largest board game in the world will receive an audiovisual adaptation by Netflix

Netflix has taken a significant step towards expanding its content offering by adapting the iconic board game The Settlers of Catan. The company has secured the rights to develop a series of projects that include movies, television series, and reality shows, in both live-action and animated formats. This move

Netflix has taken a significant step towards expanding its content offering by adapting the iconic board game The Settlers of Catan. The company has secured the rights to develop a series of projects that include movies, television series, and reality shows, in both live-action and animated formats. This move underscores the growing influence of board games in popular culture and home entertainment, as highlighted by the CEO of Asmodee, the company that owns the rights to Catan.

Catan can take on many possible forms

With over 30 years in the market and more than 45 million units sold, Catan has solidified its status as a modern classic among board games. Although in 2015 they secured the rights for a movie that eventually went to Sony, the project did not materialize. However, the recent initiative by Netflix shows a renewed interest in exploiting the game’s narrative, which focuses on the construction and governance of a new home through resource exchange.

In addition to Catan, Netflix has begun adapting other popular board games, such as Werewolves, Exploding Kittens, and a Monopoly reality show, indicating a strategic approach towards content that resonates with audiences of various ages. Jinny Howe, head of fiction series at Netflix, mentioned that the intense strategy inherent in the game offers endless opportunities to build drama and narrative on screen.

The existence of novels that expand the universe of Catan suggests that there is a rich narrative foundation that could be brought to the screen, potentially providing stories that resonate with the gaming experience of millions. As Netflix ventures into this new creative territory, Catan fans eagerly await what surprises this adaptation will bring to the world of entertainment.

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Netflix is now going to try to amass millions with its version of 'Monopoly' and other unscripted shows

It had to happen sooner or later, because money calls to money. Netflix has implemented a process known as “bake-off” to select production companies that will be responsible for creating unscripted programs. This method allows the platform to evaluate proposals from different companies and choose the one that best fits its vision for the project. In a recent case, the series With Love, Meghan, focused on Meghan Markle, was won by Sony IPC during this competitive audition process. Roll the dice… and good luck! The “bake-off!” is not a new concept for Netflix, which has used this […]

It had to happen sooner or later, because money calls to money. Netflix has implemented a process known as “bake-off” to select production companies that will be responsible for creating unscripted programs. This method allows the platform to evaluate proposals from different companies and choose the one that best fits its vision for the project. In a recent case, the series With Love, Meghan, focused on Meghan Markle, was won by Sony IPC during this competitive audition process.

Roll the dice… And good luck!

The “bake-off” is not a new concept for Netflix, which has used this strategy on various occasions within the competitive world of unscripted content production. The popularity of this approach lies in its ability to attract a variety of creative talents and ensure high-quality productions. The series With Love, Megan, for example, has generated significant expectations, not only because of its theme but also due to the reputation of the selected producer.

In addition, in its quest to diversify its content catalog, Netflix is conducting a “bake-off” for its upcoming series, one of which is based on Monopoly and another, The Golden Ticket, on the iconic work by Roald Dahl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This new production aims to capture the magic and creativity that have made the original story a timeless classic. Although specific details about the selected producers for this project have not yet been revealed, expectations are high given the success of other adaptations of Dahl’s works.

In summary, Netflix continues to innovate in the way it selects production companies, using the “bake-off” as a key tool to ensure that its unscripted programs are not only relevant but also of high quality. With titles like With Love, Meghan, and The Golden Ticket, the platform seems committed to providing engaging and diverse content to its global audience.

The Christmas Monopoly exists… and we can't recommend it to anyone

There is a Monopoly for absolutely everything. Absolutely. Everything. If there is a piece of pop culture, someone has thought, “Well, we can make a Monopoly out of this, why not?” There are versions for every country, every popular franchise, every capital, and… Well, you get the idea. And how could there not be a Christmas version? Grab your mistletoe, prepare your best carols, and dive into the most absurd madness: the game you never wanted to play. Ho, ho, ho-rrendous. To be honest, this is the same game as always but with a skin on top that replaces the streets […]

There is a Monopoly of absolutely everything. Of. Absolutely. Everything. If there is a piece of pop culture, there is someone who has thought “Well, a Monopoly can be made of this, why not?”. There are versions for every country, every popular franchise, every capital, of… Well, you get the idea. And how could there not be a Christmas version? Grab your mistletoe, prepare your best carols and dive into the most absurd madness: the game you never wanted to play.

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Ho, ho, ho-rrendous

Being honest, this is the same game as always but with a skin on top that replaces the streets with all kinds of craziness, in a clear exercise of “Running out of ideas.” The game was released in 2015 (and subsequent years) in a “limited edition” and delivers what it promises: it’s easy to learn, you’ll spend hours and hours bored in front of a board and you can buy spaces like “Santa“, “Advent Calendar”, “Christmas Tree” or “Snowman.” Why would you put hotels there? Who knows.

Additionally, sometimes you will have to enforce the “Scrooge Tax,” or money for falling into the “Christmas Party.” It comes with six unique game figures (which you can imagine what they are and how they look), exclusive “Santa’s Sack” and “Christmas Crackers” cards… And the game is practically the same, just themed. If you are a crazy fan of Monopoly and Christmas, this is your game. If not, it’s hell on Earth. Hey! If you still want more “Christmas cheer,” there’s also an exclusive version dedicated to the Hallmark channel! So many emotions on a single board!

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The Spellbinding Story of Monopoly’s Transformation into a Nazi Nemesis

They didn’t want to introduce a new board game that would entertain children during the war, but… get their own out of prison.

The year is 1941: World War II rages in Europe, and British prisoners are falling into Nazi hands by the handful. However, a handful of them seem to be successfully escaping from German prisons. How is this possible? What were the jailers overlooking? They had made sure that they received nothing beyond the bare necessities: clothes, food and a game of ‘Monopoly’ to keep them entertained.

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Get out of jail

“Go to jail. Go directly without passing through the Exit box and without collecting the 20,000 pesetas”. If you had a ‘Monopoly’ in the 90’s you know perfectly well how many hours it could last until someone decided to withdraw from the game or went bankrupt buying hotels. It is the quintessential capitalist game (although it was born with the opposite idea in 1903) and it is difficult to tell something about it that you don’t know.

But there is a period when perhaps the least important thing in the world was ‘Monopoly’: obviously, during World War II. And yet, it became an indispensable ally in helping imprisoned soldiers get out of jail. But how? It all starts with one man, Christopher Clayton Hutton: soldier, escape artist, secret service employee, inventor in the Q style of James Bond movies. It was he who came up with the great idea of teaming up with Waddington’s, the board game company that, among others, first published ‘Cluedo’. But not to introduce a new board game to entertain children during the war, but to… get his own out of prison.

The escape kit that went past the Nazis as if it were humanitarian aid contained a silk map of different European countries on which were marked the safe houses, the places to go, knives, miniature compasses, pieces of metal (all posing as real pieces), rope and, what is even better, real money… placed exactly under the money in the game. But how is it possible that no one noticed?

Hidden in plain sight

As if it were a movie (and oddly enough, no one has made the biopic yet), Waddington’s and Hutton hid the maps and utensils inside the Monopoly boards: being made of silk and not paper, the maps held water well and could easily be hidden in a small place. Also, since they didn’t make any noise, they didn’t attract the attention of the guards. Not that they had to figure all this out on their own: before going on a mission, the British already knew that the fake Monopolys existed.

You may be thinking that it doesn’t make any sense that enemies would allow their prisoners to play board games, but the truth is that the Geneva Convention allowed NGOs to send them to keep their minds active. Besides, the Germans figured that, as long as they played, they wouldn’t make escape plans. Spoiler: it goes wrong.

These games could easily be mistaken for real Monopolys, and the only way prisoners could tell it was their key to freedom was by a red dot in the Free Parking box. Obviously, after using them, the soldiers had to destroy the games so that the Germans would not know how they had managed to escape. It may sound like something out of a ‘Mission Impossible’ movie, but the truth is that thousands of captured soldiers escaped this way. It can be said, yes, that they got a letter to get out of prison.

Supreme Court rules iPhone owners can sue Apple for App Store monopoly

Is the App Store a monopoly?

The Supreme Court has ruled that iPhone owners have the right to sue Apple. The court ruled that Apple may be violating U.S. antitrust laws with its App Store. Speaking on the decision, Justice Brett Kavanaugh (who surprised many by siding with the liberal half of the Supreme Court on this matter) said: “This is why we have antitrust law, [for when] retailers engage in unlawful anticompetitive conduct that harms consumers.” It was a 5-4 decision.

Though the Supreme Court did not accuse Apple of breaking antitrust law itself, it is saying that Apple’s App Store exclusivity gives its customers the right to sue them.

Apple’s App Store is notorious for being airtight. They have an extensive approval process for their store and Apple takes 30% of all money made on app purchases (including in-app purchases). Developers who want to make apps for iOS devices are forced to play ball with this 30% cut, as Apple does not currently support any way to obtain apps other than the App Store.

Android, on the other hand, offers most of its apps through the Google Play Store, which takes a similar cut. The difference between the two platforms is that Android users can download apps through third-party sources (like Softonic or via APKs), rather than being locked in to the Google Play Store.

iOS app developers have claimed that they have had to inflate their prices to make up for Apple’s 30% cut, which they cite as the result of anticompetitive, monopolistic behavior on Apple’s part. Apple countered by saying that customers have no right to sue, as they consider the App Store to be an intermediary between customers and app developers. Responding to Apple’s claim, Justice Kavanaugh said:

“Apple’s theory would provide a roadmap for monopolistic retailers to structure transactions with manufacturers or suppliers so as to evade antitrust claims by consumers and thereby thwart effective antitrust enforcement.”

Of those who disagreed, Justice Neil Gorsuch (who, like Kavanaugh, was appointed by President Trump) argued that if Apple’s App Store policies could be considered monopolistic, then the app developers are being hurt the most, and they would have the right to sue rather than consumers.

Apple seems confident that they will prevail in this suit. In a statement, they said:

“We are confident the App Store is not a monopoly by any metric. We’re proud to have created the safest, most secure and trusted platform for customers and a great business opportunity for all developers around the world. Developers set the price they want to charge for their app and Apple has no role in that.”

The Supreme Court ruling could have huge ramifications for digital platforms with similar marketplaces to the App Store. More open digital platforms lead to a greater diversity of ideas, so moving forward this can be seen as an absolute win both for consumers and developers.