MONOPOLY Bigger Event Back to all articles
WMS designer MrMonopoly visits the Player's Life blog to answer the question: after creating the most ambitious game in WMS history, what do you do for an encore?
Most players — and all of the designers at WMS — have a favorite Monopoly Slot game. Given its long history of success, it’s hard not to find at least one Monopoly game that you cherish above all others.
The slot player in me still loves the original Once Around: the simplicity of the game, and the way it made me feel that I was really playing Monopoly, capturing the experience perfectly. A close second, however, would have to be the first Monopoly Big Event game, which debuted just a few years ago. Even though it was a 180-degree turn from the original Once Around game in terms of depth and size, it still managed to capture that “Monopoly feeling” for me all over again. Adding the Community aspect and allowing me to re-live the Once Around bonus with other players added a whole new level of excitement to a feature I already loved.
Monopoly Big Event was one the most ambitious games in WMS history — but the sequel had to be even bigger. Bigger floor presence, bigger bonuses, with the potential for bigger wins. Embarking on such a task was not easy, considering the innovation and success of the first Big Event Monopoly game.
How do you make a bigger floor presence than the casino floor’s first-ever Community Gaming slot machine? We came up with two solutions.
Anyone who has visited Las Vegas long enough can probably remember the “Big Bertha” machines that used to sit at just about every casino entrance. These mammoth slot machines always drew a crowd whenever anyone dropped in a few dollar coins. These were the inspiration for the new Bigger Event triggering mechanism. We wanted to capture the “Bertha” experience of the past, while also giving the players more chances at triggering the Bigger Event. Mr. Monopoly will spin his own “Big Bertha,” 45 seconds on average, triggering bonuses or awarding wins.
The second solution was to make the entire experience bigger by adding an additional screen for dual wide screen displays, perfect for Collaborative Gaming play. I’m still impressed when I trigger the Play the Board bonus, even after months of development and play testing — an entire side of the Monopoly board, rendered in full 3D, spans two giant widescreen displays.
Creating bigger bonuses was quite an undertaking when compared to the original Big Event game. After all, how do you create a bigger experience without just relying on more screens? That’s where Collaborative Gaming popped into my head.
As a casino game designer, it’s always been a dream of mine to create a slot machine with real, meaningful interaction between players. A game where players can share their luck with others and have other players’ good fortune shared with them. Rather than sitting and watching the bonus play out across the top screen, all players in the bonus can now take turns interacting with the different bonuses for shared wins. I think this brings a real feeling of community and accomplishment, where players can say, “I’m the one who made everyone win.”
We recently completed the game’s first installation at the Venetian. Watching a full bank of players working together and winning together is a thrilling experience for me. Since Monopoly Bigger Event was the first Collaborative Gaming slot game, I had fears that some players would just not “get it,” or even worse, not like it. Luckily, the players I saw not only understood it, but seemed to enjoy the experience as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Offering the potential for bigger wins was quite a challenge as well. The first Big Event Monopoly was a well-designed game that offered players plenty of chance for big wins. I thought, “We should celebrate big wins in the base games by creating the potential for bigger wins in the Collaborative Gaming Bigger Event bonuses,” and the Bigger Event booster was born.
For those of you who haven’t had a chance to play the game yet, every four dollars won (in the penny version) in the base game awards a 3X Bigger Event Multiplier Boost. The boosters overlap, meaning the bigger the win, the bigger the Multiplier Boost. While playing the game before commercial release, I’d seen the Bigger Event multiplier jump to the triple digits on several occasions. Imagine triggering the Bigger Event with a 100X multiplier!
Having worked on a few Monopoly games in the past (Monopoly Wild Dice and Monopoly Advance to Boardwalk) and playing all the past versions, I’m amazed by how the brand manages to keep offering fresh ways to offer the player new and exciting places to take Mr. Monopoly. As players, we’ve seen him party on a locomotive, manage his own hotel, ride a roller coaster and even travel through space. As long as players keep enjoying Monopoly games as much as we enjoy making them, I’m sure we’ll see Mr. Monopoly in even bigger experiences and wilder places in the years to come.
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Comments
The_Shamus
View ProfileHi Mr. Monopoly:
I have never personally played a Monopoly game which was not a top notch product! I'm very pleased to hear that the potential of Community Gaming is being expanded with the collaborative elements!
I got away from Community Gaming a bit, because I started to become "greedy" in feeling obligated to keep that good multiplier up there -- just in case the BONUS was about to hit. These features make me want to get back into the genre again!
No doubt, this game will draw crowds when it arrives on casino floors! You can't miss it! Sounds like an engaging base game as well!
Fingers crossed this machine shows up at my local casino sooner rather than later!
//// the Shamus ////\
JoeyAnyc
View ProfileWill be looking out for this. Can't wait.
rimarcik
View Profilethanks guys loven the game so far keep it up and the scatter spin bonus needs to be better odds but thanks agian guys
Sembiance
View ProfileI'm new to slots. Always looked at them as boring, money eating machines.
However last year I discovered the Star Trek slot machine! Now I realize that they can be ENTERTAINING money eating machines
I've done a lot of research over the past few weeks, and I've put together a list of 26 slot machines that look exciting to me. I have 4 different monopoly games on them
I'm heading to Vegas at the end of this month and I'm looking forward to trying them
precious1988
View ProfileI played this at Sunset Station in Henderson, NV. I love all the Monopoly titles, except this one. Sorry no "spark"! They took out the old 'Big Event". Wish it was back. Other than this, you guys always knock it out of the park.
LoneDove
View ProfileLooking forward to the new Monopoly game, it sounds fun. Just hope I don't have to save to go to Las Vegas and casinos get one closer to where I live!
pouty
View ProfileCan't wait to play, look fun.
mj23
View ProfileI'm excited at the thought of playing a new monopoly game. Impatiently waiting for game to arrive at a local casino.
joelowe2
View ProfileI've always enjoyed the Monopoly titles I've played in the past. They're always innovative and most importantly fun! I'll look forward to giving this title a spin when I'm in Vegas this October!
ZenGameMaster
View Profilelooking forward to seeing the new game...
ithinkikan
View ProfileVery entertaining! Love Monopoly
jflores
View ProfileLet me start out by saying that I love all the Monopoly games and all of the Big Event games, but this is the one I like the least out of both categories. I played it at both Red Rock and Venetian and really didn't care for it at all. I did have a blast though on the Monopoly Big Event Hotel, which was also at the Venetian. Also love Advance to Boardwalk and Planet GO. Whenever I see a Monopoly game, I have to play it.
Bombay
View ProfileNot really interested in wms games. I'm just looking to get a cheap blogger trophy.
JCARAZA
View ProfileAlways play Monopoly whenever I have an opportunity, I am impatient to play this one
toddwmpi
View ProfileI'd be thrilled to find the original "Chairman Of The Board" video slot again. The last one I saw was at the Plaza in downtown LV and it's been gone from there for a couple of years. I understand it's a bit outdated, but what a great bonus round!
eavina
View ProfileHaven't played this one yet.
adeview
View ProfileI have played and enjoyed all of the monopoly games.
Thanks and keep them coming.
ADeView
Wildelove
View ProfileI too have played these games in a couple of our bigger casinos here in SD, I really enjoy them but can't always afford them!
The_Shamus
View ProfileHi Mr. Monopoly:
Is it possible to get some of the locations of this game? I know a number of people who plan to be in Las Vegas over the coming weeks ... and I bet they would like to check this fine game out!
//// the Shamus ////\
TSUKASA
View ProfileThis is only a 5 cent game where I live so I never play it. =P
I only like 1 cent slots
gambit01
View ProfileI hope they have it here in Albuquerque.
rick53909
View ProfileThank you for creating a further adventure with Mr. Monopoly, i especially like the fact you thought of the players interacting with each other. A big bonus is the idea of Mr. Monopoly playing the Big bertha, and the frequent hits.
jaffesgrl
View ProfileI tried the Monopolyn Bigger event game the last time I was at casino. Must say, not a big fan. Like the older versions better.
WB6EGR
View ProfileI really enjoy ALL of the Monopoly "Themes". All differant and very individual....
MrMonopoly
View ProfileThanks for all the great feedback, and for those who don't have the game in your area yet, it should be there soon. We designers are just as anxious for people to play our new games as, hopefully, you are to play them.
princesspj1
View Profileits going to be awsome.cant wait.
jimblack0001
View ProfileThis is an awesome idea.
I hope you WMS also comes up with better StarTrek games as well.
perry74
View ProfileBigger Event is a great new twist on the exciting Big Event. A few more titles would be nice.
"45 seconds on average" REALLY? I must need a new watch. My cheap FOLEX knock-off just isn't cutting it any more. Can you guys over at WMS send me a sweet new watch? Thank you in advance.
CocoChanel89
View ProfilePlayed this game at Grand Casino Hinkley in MN, lots of bonuses and really made you interact with other players as you picked the credits. Everyone was very friendly, lots of fun, great game!
rosieszabo
View Profilelooking forward to playing it next time I'm at the casino - hoping to get lots of bonuses - sometimes they can be hard to get
WendyVegas
View ProfileI enjoy playing the Monopoly slots. They are very interactive - just wish I could some day win a BIG BONUS!!
alburns
View Profilesounds really cool!
NATE80
View ProfileI REALLY ENJOYED PLAYING THE MONOPOLY SLOTS... WON SOME DECENT MONEY ON IT..
Shrly
View ProfileLove the monopoly slot it is also very much the peoples favorite. Bonuses are worth waiting for
oddie737
View ProfileLove all the Monopolys
kizchris
View ProfileLove Monopoly - and in general love the "community play" machines - wish I could play them more often!
kccoco
View Profilehaven't played this one yet
nattymc1
View ProfileLove this game, this is what I recently won on it... http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5210/20100927175020.jpg
GSER1981
View ProfileMy favorite Monopoly one is Jackpot Station. Im trying to find the music that plays during the bonus so I can make a ringtone out of it.
Netcowboy
View ProfileI haven't played this one yet, but it looks so cool. This is one of my favorite board games. I will be looking to play this one as soon as I get to Vegas next week.
petesa
View ProfileThanks guys, this is my favorite game ever.
perry74
View ProfileCool
jarancibia
View ProfileI like comunity gaming in specially monopoly big event
debibentley
View ProfileI like the big event game but found that if I play the max and spin quickly that I lose my money too fast. Therefore, although I like the game I do not play it very often
lgatin
View Profilelove monopoly, one of my favorite games to play at the casino.
queenslots
View ProfileLove others monopoly but not the monopoly bigger event. We need to keep play-in within the time range.
adevan2
View ProfileI am a real fan of the monopoly big event games. I am so looking forward to the Bigger Event coming to a casino near me.
albertquiles
View ProfileIt's a great game. Wish I could play the bonuses more often.
beavis_2
View ProfileLove the idea of monpoly as a casino game. But never got much out of playing it. Guess I am more into more of action packed makes you want to win kind of player.
beavis_2
View Profile"Monopoly" did I spell that Right?
bladmet
View ProfileLooks Like fun
martin8
View ProfileI finally got to play this game at MotorCity casino in Detroit. It was fun but pricy at a minimum of 25 lines for 5 cents each. ($1.25 each spin) It was really cool when you got the group bonus. Everyone was happy with my pics as I found Mr Monopoly (I think that is his name) twice during the pipe bonus. I missed him at the very top though.
lecher
View ProfileI am looking to see this game in the wisconsin area looks like fun
bsd1967
View ProfileAll the Monopoly slots have been fun over the years.
redpepsi
View ProfileI dont like this game much. It always gives out $10 bonus's and nothing special!
armymom2009
View Profilehello i have bought the slots to play on the computer of the old not so fun games, when is the NEWER ones going to be on a CD i can play? I live in AL so i cant play these games without going to MS, and i cant afford to get there as often as i use to could. ALSO, i bought the last two WMS games that were out on where i could play on my computer, and love them. SO please maks sure up, up, and away, and grand hotel are certainly ON the game if you put one out, i want you to, you can put me down for one NOW if you will put one out there, i love those games! I play whenever i can get seat at philly ms and they NEED more of them there are always people waiting to play on peak hours on the weekends....so you might not even get to play. BEst chance is to play after three am till six am to be assured you can find a seat!
ajstar
View ProfileNot a fan...didnt win much.
DMM1973
View ProfileLove most of the Monopoly machines, but have not had much luck on this one yet.
ivylu2
View ProfileI love the Monopoly games. They are very entertaining.
holidee
View ProfileI just played the Bigger Event Monopoly last week in LV and it was a winner - in a lot of ways. The four of us players cheered each other on and when I got the Pipe bonus and picked Mr. Monopoly all the way to the top we gathered a crowd. We had a blast and made some really good money. I had never played a Monopoly before but I will search it out again.
dc007
View ProfileCool game. We don't have this one in any of they local casinos
jamsha
View Profilenice game
hansgramFullCard
View ProfileSuch a fun game