Ghettopoly

{{short description|2002 parody board game}} {{italic title}} {{Infobox game | subject_name=Ghettopoly | designer=David Chang | players=2–7 | setup_time=5–15 minutes | playing_time=about 3 hours | random_chance=Medium | skills=Simple [[mathematics]] (such as counting, finding percentages and multiplication);<br>[[Social interaction|social skills]];<br>[[negotiation]] | footnotes = }} '''''Ghettopoly''''' is a [[parody]] of the board game ''[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]'' invented by David Chang, a [[Taiwanese American]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Antonio Vargas |first1=Jose |title='Ghettopoly' board game viewed as racist by some / But others say it's simply 'stupid-funny' |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Ghettopoly-board-game-viewed-as-racist-by-some-2583267.php |website=www.sfgate.com |date=10 October 2003 |publisher=SFGATE |access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref> and released in 2003.<ref>{{bgg|8063|''Ghettopoly''}}</ref> The game uses ''Monopoly''-like mechanics but is themed around a caricature of a black [[ghetto]] in the [[United States]].

==Gameplay and differences from ''Monopoly''== In ''Ghettopoly'', the four [[railroad]] properties from the standard version of ''Monopoly'' are replaced by [[liquor store]]s. Other properties include a [[Brothel|massage parlor]], a [[peep show]] and a [[pawn shop]]. The ''Community Chest'' and ''Chance'' squares become ''Ghetto Stash'' and ''Hustle'' squares, while [[taxation]] squares are replaced by police-[[Extortion|shakedown]] and [[carjacking]] squares.<ref name="gsite">{{cite web |url=http://www.ghettopoly.com/ |title=Ghettopoly official site (US) |access-date=2004-07-29 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060528112952/http://www.ghettopoly.com/ |archive-date=May 28, 2006 }}</ref>

Instead of building houses and hotels, property owners in ''Ghettopoly'' build [[crack house]]s and [[Public housing#United States|projects]]. The seven game pieces include: a [[pimp]], a [[Prostitution|hoe]], a [[Malt liquor|40 oz]], a [[machine gun]], a [[marijuana]] leaf, a [[crack cocaine|crack]] rock, and a [[basketball]].<ref name="gsite"/>

==Official description== {{Block quote|Buying stolen properties, pimpin’ ho’s, building crack houses and projects, paying protection fees, and getting car jacked are some of the elements of the game. Not dope enough?...If you don't have the money that you owe to the loan shark you might just land yourself in da Emergency Room.}}

==Racism and trademark issues== The game was criticized as offensively [[racism|racist]] by a local chapter of the [[NAACP]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2003/10/04/Tampabay/Game_s_street_theme_u.shtml |title=Tampabay: Game's street theme upsets NAACP |website=Sptimes.com |access-date=2016-04-13 |archive-date=2016-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530055608/http://www.sptimes.com/2003/10/04/Tampabay/Game_s_street_theme_u.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> and by black clergy,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-10-09-ghettopoly_x.htm |title=Black leaders outraged at 'Ghettopoly' game at Urban Outfitters |website=Usatoday.com |date=2003-10-09 |access-date=2016-04-13 |archive-date=2010-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005154538/http://www.usatoday.com//news//nation//2003-10-09-ghettopoly_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as by [[Asian American]] groups, including the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium and [[Organization of Chinese Americans]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Willis |first1=Laurie |title='Ghettopoly' board game causes uproar |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2003-10-11-0310110153-story.html |access-date=October 20, 2022 |agency=Baltimore Sun |date=October 11, 2003}}</ref>

The game was pulled from the market by [[Urban Outfitters]], just one of its many retailers. Chang continued to market the game without their support. According to Chang's website, which still sells the game, it is also available on Amazon. Another ''Monopoly'' variant, ''Redneckopoly'', is also available at ghettopoly.com. Further such games were planned, including ''Hoodopoly'', ''Hiphopopoly'', and ''Thugopoly''.

In October 2003, [[Hasbro]] sued Chang over the game's similarities to ''Monopoly''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3339899 |work=NBC News |title=Hasbro sues 'Ghettopoly' creator |date=22 October 2003 |access-date=4 March 2018 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030023759/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3339899 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2006, Chang was found in [[contempt of court]] for failure to produce documents. The court thus entered a "default judgment" for Hasbro's continued use of "Monopoly" as a [[trademark]], and dismissed Chang's counterclaims, which were to revoke trademark status on ''Monopoly''. In May 2006, the court estimated that Chang generated US$8,790,000 in profits from the sale of ''Ghettopoly'', and that damages of $400,000 were reasonable as reflected in the court documents.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

==See also== * ''[[Life as a BlackMan]]'' * [[Interminority racism in the United States]], for a background on the issues

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== * [https://www.facebook.com/ghettopoly Official ''Ghettopoly'' fan page, on Facebook]

[[Category:Board games introduced in 2003]] [[Category:Economic simulation board games]] [[Category:Monopoly (game)]] [[Category:Parodies of advertising]] [[Category:Race-related controversies in advertising and marketing]] [[Category:African-American-related controversies]] [[Category:Asian-American-related controversies]]