Ghettopoly (2003) Board Game

Ghettopoly is a controversial board game that was released in 2003 by Ghettopoly.com. It is a parody of the popular board game Monopoly, but with a theme that some people find offensive and racially insensitive. The game sparked a lot of controversy upon its release, with many accusing it of promoting negative stereotypes about inner-city communities.

Game Components of Ghettopoly

Game Board: Depicts a caricatured urban setting.

Loan Shark Tray: For managing financial transactions.

40 Crack Houses: Replace traditional houses.

17 Projects: Replace traditional hotels.

Pink Slip Cards: For carjacking and other penalties.

Ghetto Stash and Hustle Cards: Replace Community Chest and Chance cards.

7 Game Pieces: Include a pimp, hoe, 40 oz, machine gun, marijuana leaf, basketball, and crack rock.

Counterfeit Money: Used for in-game transactions.

2 Dice: For determining player movement.

How To Setup Ghettopoly

Setting up Ghettopoly involves placing the game board in the middle of the playing area, distributing the game pieces, and shuffling the Ghetto Stash and Hustle cards. Each player chooses a game piece and places it on the “Go” space. The counterfeit money is distributed equally among players. The game is ready to start once all components are in place.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Replace Railroads: Liquor stores take the place of railroads.

Build Crack Houses and Projects: Instead of houses and hotels, players build crack houses and projects.

Ghetto Stash and Hustle Squares: These replace Community Chest and Chance squares.

Taxation Squares: Replaced by police-shakedown and carjacking squares.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate wealth by buying properties, building crack houses and projects, and engaging in various shady activities while avoiding financial penalties.

Player Experience

Playing Ghettopoly can be a highly controversial and polarizing experience. The game is designed to be “extreme and eye-catching,” incorporating stereotypes of urban life, including pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, and thugs. Players take on the role of “Da Playa” navigating the rough streets of Los Angeles, engaging in activities like buying stolen properties, pimping, and building crack houses. The game’s humor and satire are intended to be provocative, but many have criticized it for promoting racial stereotypes and being disrespectful to the urban community.

Pros

Unique Theme: Offers a distinct and provocative twist on the traditional Monopoly game.

Engaging Gameplay: Can be highly entertaining for players looking for a more edgy experience.

Social Interaction: Encourages negotiation and social skills among players.

Cons

Controversial Content: Criticized for perpetuating racial stereotypes and being offensive to many communities.

Limited Appeal: Not suitable for all audiences, particularly those sensitive to racial and cultural caricatures.

Legal Issues: Faced trademark issues with Hasbro over its similarities to Monopoly.

Personal Thoughts on Ghettopoly

Ghettopoly is not a game for everyone. It is aimed at a niche audience that can appreciate its provocative humor and satire, despite its controversial content. However, it has sparked significant outrage and criticism from various communities, including the NAACP and other civil rights groups. If you are considering this game, it is crucial to be aware of its potential to offend and to weigh this against your personal comfort with its themes and content.

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