There is a new version of the Parker Brothers classic, "Monopoly", that uses a mock debit card. (Wired article) Visa scores a nice product placement in the process.
I'll admit it's a cute gimmick, but that's about it as far as I'm concerned. I do not think it will speed up game play. Since "Monopoly" can be a rather slow game anyway, I would not think that this represents an improvement. As I sit here, I've been thinking through what it might be like to play the game with a debit card. I can see potential advantages and disadvantages, but on balance I'd see more on the downside.
Now, if they could only make the game board electronic with little LEDs to indicate where the houses and hotels are so that you didn't have to worry about bumping the board and sending them flying... now that would be worth buying.
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