Here's your chance to create the board game you've always dreamed of! The rules of the game are readily available and all you need to do is choose a theme and create a game board and pawns. Modified monopoly game sets are becoming a popular prize choice. However, this game set is also perfect for parties and game night events with the family.
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Part 1 of 4: Creating New Games
Step 1. Think of a unique theme for the game
Monopoly can be modified easily and all you need is an initial idea. You can think of a theme that is broader and more global in nature (eg ocean-themed monopoly), or a theme based on the city you currently live in.
- Make sure you don't choose a theme that is too specific. If the chosen theme is not very broad, you can run out of options to fill in the transportation fields and the “General Fund” card without leaving the general theme.
- Choose a game name based on a monopoly formula, such as “Dog-opoly” (for a dog themed monopoly) or “Elvis-opoly” (for an Elvis Presley themed monopoly).
Step 2. Customize the game tiles and images with the selected theme
For example, if you want to create a monopoly board with the theme of the ancient kingdoms of Indonesia, use old calligraphy-style letters and dark caves instead of the “classic” prison cell. You need four diamond tiles on each corner of the board, as well as nine rectangular tiles between the two diamond tiles on each side of the board as property tiles.
Step 3. Define property tiles as desired
List various landmarks or places that players can buy and sell. You can choose a place that is odd or logical (eg the choice of ice cream flavors or the skyscrapers in Jakarta). For a Bandung City-themed game, for example, you can choose popular places such as Pasupati Bridge and PVJ, or Bandung Square and Braga Street. In all, there are 22 property tiles on the game board.
You need to select eight different colors for each property group
Step 4. Select a secondary play tile
After the property tile, you need four transportation plots, three “Opportunities” plots, three “General Funds” plots, and three procurement companies plots with their monetary values. Also, don't forget to modify the “Start” tile, as well as the other corner tiles.
Create "Prison" and "Prison" tiles. Think of creative ideas for how to “imprison” players. For example, if you're creating a forest-themed board game, you could create a “Slurring Swing Break” tile that sends (or rather, “drops”) players into the “Living Mud” tile
Step 5. Use the large blank column in the center of the board to develop a theme
If you want to give a monopoly game set made as a gift for someone's wedding anniversary, you can use a program like Photoshop and paste photos of the couple in the center of the board, and modify the name of the game.
Step 6. Determine if the rules of the game need to be changed
Since you've changed the game board, you can also adjust the rules of the game. For example, you can change the order of the property tiles to make the game more difficult or adjust the length of time a player is locked in prison. However, if you don't want to go too far from the original rules of the game, try printing a copy of the original rules or including an older copy in the game box set.
Part 2 of 4: Making Board Games
Step 1. Use the template to design the board
The easiest option to follow is to use the old monopoly board as a layout reference. You can place designs on the old board and copy the dimensions of the game tiles. You don't need to cut or measure the tile. Just trace the lines and markers from the original board to create your own.
If you don't have a real monopoly board, try searching the internet for pictures of a standard-design monopoly board. You can also use the images and custom monopoly board templates people have uploaded to some fan sites for inspiration
Step 2. Create the board
If you're not using an old board, you'll need a material that can be cut into 45 x 45 centimeters and folds easily (for storage), such as thick paper or cardboard (card stock), cardboard, or weighted paper. The standard monopoly board measures less than 45 x 45 centimeters, but with the additional side length you have more room for customization.
Regardless of the size of the board, make sure you have a box or container large enough to hold the board. The box or container should have plenty of room, regardless of whether the game board needs to be folded or left open
Step 3. Draw the board manually
You can draw the game area on the board with drawing tools or digitally using a computer program. Both methods still give you the freedom to play with colors and images. However, creating boards manually (by hand) may be an easier option if you are not familiar with digital editing programs. The main options you have are to create a board game with a distinctive “handmade” touch or a slick computer-made replica.
You will need a ruler (or similar tool). Measure the dimensions of the game tile, as well as the “General Fund” and “Opportunity” card boxes for balance and consistency
Step 4. Use a computer program to create a board template of a more precise size
You can download a template and modify the design using Photoshop, or you can create a board design from scratch using a drawing program or site.
- There are free online programs like Google Draw that you can use so you don't have to buy new programs.
- Because the size of the manufactured board is larger than the capacity of a regular printer, you may need to split the image using a graphics editing program and print it on multiple sheets.
- You can also imitate Monopoly's signature font using a computer.
Step 5. Save the board design as a PDF file and print it as a sticker in the printing booth
After that, you can stick the sticker on the old monopoly board or the one you made. Make sure you immediately level the surface of the sticker and remove any air bubbles trapped under the sticker. You can use sticker paper or plain paper to cover the old monopoly board. Use a razor to cut out stickers or paperboard covers so you can fold the boards when you want to put them in a box.
Part 3 of 4: Making Game Cards
Step 1. Create “Opportunity” and “General Funds” cards
Each deck consists of 16 cards. Keep using the same commands on the card, but change the text to match the theme.
- For example, instead of “Maju to Thailand”, you can make a “Maju ke Bonbin” card if the board you make has a Bandung theme.
- For the “Public Fund” card, you can replace the “Pay School” card with the “Pay Parking on the Beach” card.
- If you want to design cards manually (by hand), cardboard or card stock can be a medium that is easy to cut into various shapes and sizes. This paper is also suitable for drawing with markers, pens, pencils, and paints.
Step 2. Create a title card for each property
For simplicity's sake, use the same rent and mortgage rates as the original monopoly card. Do not forget to make sure you write the text on the back of the card, as written on the original card. You can also print the text on a small sticker and stick it to the back of the card.
- You can also print the text on the property card directly on the cardboard if you use a template in Photoshop or Microsoft Word.
- Laminate all cards to be durable and protected from various risks and damage, especially due to fights that can occur during the game.
Step 3. Create a unique currency
You can buy regular monopoly money or substitute money from game stores or the internet. If you want, you can also make your own play money. If you didn't buy a replacement toy, you can draw or print it yourself.
- Get creative with money denomination designs. For example, if you're making a horror movie-themed monopoly set, you could print Suzzana's face on money and add a splash of fake blood for an interesting effect.
- You can also name your own currency and include its name on the bill. For video game-themed monopoly sets, you can name the currency "credits". For a colonial themed monopoly, you can use the name “benggol”.
Part 4 of 4: Making Pawns
Step 1. Select the token you want to use
Based on the original rules, one game session can be followed by 2-8 players. Each player needs their own pawn so try making 8 or more if you want to change the game to include more players. You can reuse the default pawns of the old monopoly set or design a new pawn yourself. Use your imagination. If you're making a movie-themed monopoly game set, you can make pawns in the shape of popcorn, movie reels, Hollywood stars, or award trophies.
Step 2. Sculpt the pawn you want to use
Clay or paper pulp is an easy material to use for making miniature pawns. You can also use things you have at home or small toys (you can buy them at a toy store). For example, if you want to make a superhero-themed monopoly set, you can use action figures as pawns.
- Try to use small items because the game tiles on the board are not that big.
- Polymer clay products (eg Fimo or Sculpey) can be quality materials that are easy to find for making pawns.
- Don't forget that you also need dice. If you don't want to buy or use your own dice, you can create new ones while carving other pieces.
Step 3. Make miniature houses and hotels
Choose creative objects that are easy to recreate in large numbers because you will need 32 miniature houses and 16 hotels for the game of monopoly. For example, if you are making a Balinese-themed monopoly set, you can make miniature gates and coconut trees.
- You can repaint the miniatures of old monopoly houses and hotels in a different color to match the general color scheme of the game set.
- Make miniature houses and hotels with different prices to make the game more complicated. For example, you could build a miniature house, skyscraper, or castle and charge a higher rent based on the "class" of the building.
