News

Monopoly: Movie or Murder?

Everyone's worst childhood memories come from Monopoly. Even worse than when you forgot the lyrics to your solo in the school Eisteddfod? Yes, Megan. Even worse than that. The insufferable, dragging hours of watching someone you don't like win - a feeling we know well from every British election, but its origins come from Monopoly.

Scary, then, that more news has broken of the board game's foray into Hollywood films. We've known about this for a while, of course; it's this version or that version and this great scriptwriter and lots more blah blah blah. But now it's emerged that turning Monopoly into a movie has become something of a blood war. The production company Big Beach, behind films like Little Miss Sunshine, is making a Monopoly film based on the non-fiction book The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World’s Favourite Board Game, and will explore the origins of the game, from its conception by progressive feminist Elizabeth Magie, to the lawsuit filed by Parker Brothers in 1974, when a rival game began gaining traction, titled Anti-Monopoly.

That all sounds wonderful, but Hasbro hate it. They hate it more than you hate Monopoly. They're actually in the middle of producing their OWN approved film with the studio Lionsgate. Because as you all know, the best films about huge corporations are films fully endorsed with a seal of approval by those corporations. You can't expect a reasonable view of the game from the people who want to sell you more copies. You just can't. What you CAN expect is to have the game rammed down your throat in promotional advertising. Are those suppressed childhood night terrors starting to come back yet?

Monopoly, Steve Jobs' role at Apple, the history of McDonalds - the trend for Hollywood films about capitalist corporations that aren't always highly celebrated is certainly the scariest thing I'll see this Halloween. We buy, eat and use everything you want us to and now we have to watch films about you as well?! There's no escape, people! Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Tabletop Terror!

To celebrate the second best seasonal holiday of the year (don't forget International Talk Like a Pirate Day!), here's a list of the 5 best board games to give you a horrible time this Halloween. No, wait. What? They're horror games. Yeah, that's it. As part of The A. V. Club's Horrors Week, they're recommending games like the cooperative-but-still-kinda-screw-you Dead of Winter, set in a ravaged wasteland of zombies and suffering (or Merthyr Tydfil on a Saturday night), and a personal favourite from our Monday night Board Game Bar, Betrayal at House on the Hill. These games will spook you, scare you, and give you the ghoulies. Or, if you're as tough as old boots, they'll give you a few solid hours of entertainment. Where else are you gonna get that? Watching the Monopoly movie? Ha! 

Houses of Horror...

In case you missed it, we put together our own list of games to give you goosebumps, and all set in haunted houses! There's the already-mentioned Betrayal, of course, but more you may not have thought of. If you're staying in on Halloween (lock the doors) and drinking cocktails with your mates (check for poison) and planning to watch a scary film (keep the lights on), then keep a Halloween game handy for when the CGI ghosts on screen just ain't cuttin' it and you need something far more engaging. If you do have cocktails, might I recommend the Bloody Mary? The trick to getting that vodka tang is to stand in front of a mirror and say the cocktail's name 3 times. I swear it works! Check our list of Halloween game inspiration here.

And One More Thing...

If you're a Pinterest user looking for some Halloween games night inspiration, then you're in luck! We've put together a Halloween Horror board so you can grab some last minute tips & tricks for a night of terrifying games and monsters. Table settings, decorations, and those all important games - take a look and get spooked!

Seen #Spectre? Love 007? We put together a list of the best Bond-esque board games for double agents, with spy games, lie games and you'll-never-get-me-alive games. Pick your Bond character and see what board game should be your secret weapon! 

We wanted to share one of our newest releases this week - 'Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn'. A war is beginning. Rise from the ashes. Battle for your power. Fight for your right... to paaaartay! Check out the game (including info, videos & photos) right here! 

We'll be at Urban Tap House this Monday for the Board Game Bar! Games, beers, burgers & hopefully everyone's Halloween sweets that they're generously donating to us. Please, give what you can. This Monday, 5-10pm, £3 entry at Urban Tap House!

New Releases / Restocks / Coming Soon!

New Releases Coming Next Week! STOP EVERYTHING! THE NEW TICKET TO RIDE UK MAP IS EARLY, AND WILL (HOPEFULLY) BE IN NEXT WEEK! Okay, carry on... We'll also have Star Wars Risk - The Black Series; MTG Battle for Zendikar Gift Box; The Last Spike; YGO Dimensions of Chaos; AVP - The Hunt Begins; Roll for the Galaxy - Ambition expansion; Red Dragon Inn 5 - The Character Trove & Allies Wrench & Allies Zariah the Summoner & Allies Halden the Unhinged expansions; Galaxy Command; and Outbreak - Undead Second Edition Starter Kit RPG!