Google Maps applications are not limited to just searching, locating or viewing virtual streets these days. Google Maps application recently has been embedded into an online classic board game called “Monopoly.” In this online game a player can search for streets, trade streets, build properties and also sabotage other streets owned by any player in the world. You should have already been familiar with Monopoly and how it is played, integration of Google Maps is one of the key features which has made the possibility for the players of the game to own virtually any street in the world.
The game has a simple interface. Once a visitor types in the URL, he is urged in to choose the language of his preference. After 
choosing, a simple search box greets him on his screen. The user can now enter his favorite street to see if it is available to buy. A user can only buy a street if he has an account and is logged in. Every player starts his journey in to the game with a sum of $3 Million. The only way a player can increase his income is by buying streets and building property on them. Google Maps functionality plays a vital role here. A player can easily scroll through the street to measure the length of the street and is able to view its layout by using Google Maps.
Building property increases revenue in the form of rent to its owner. Building property on a street also increases a street’s net worth and also its owner’s revenue. Color codes are used for identifying the availability of a street. Purple color indicates that the street is open to be sold; blue color indicates that the street has already been sold to another player in the game and red color indicates that the street belongs to the logged in user. There are also chance cards available to players through which a player can either build bonus properties, lose revenue, increase revenue or sabotage streets owned by other players.
Image Credit: Monopoly City Streets
The game’s development is backed by Google and has been developed by Hasbro. The game was launched on 9th September, 2009. The online traffic on the opening day was such that the servers which hosted the website were not able to contain the massive traffic and slowed down. The website had got over 1.7 Million users within one week of its launch. The game ends on January 31st, 2010. If you are deciding to give Monopoly City Streets a try and start playing, I am sure you will get hooked on to its simple functionality and the fascination of owning your favorite streets irrespective of its location.