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A global online version of Monopoly is being launched using Google Maps as a board.

Thousands of players across the world will compete with each other and can choose to buy any property in any country in an attempt to become a virtual, international property tycoon.

Each address can only be bought by one person and players then build on their plots to earn rent.

As well as the usual houses and hotels the online version also allows them to build skyscrapers and football stadiums.

Players start with three million Monopoly dollars and rent is paid daily. That can be up to 100 million dollars for a skyscraper.

Downing Street costs 231,000 dollars to buy, while Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, including the White House, costs two million dollars.

Monopoly city

Players can also undermine their competitors by building prisons, rubbish dumps and sewage works on their streets.

The global game runs for four months starting on September 9.

A spokesman for Hasbro, makers of Monopoly, said: “It’s a chance to escape the harsh reality of recession and enjoy building up an empire.”

On the 9th SEPTEMBER, a world of property empire building on an unimaginable scale will be launched! A live worldwide game of MONOPOLY using Google Maps as the game board. The goal is simple. Play to beat your friends and the world to become the richest property magnate in existence.

Own any street in the world. Build humble houses, crazy castles and stupendous skyscrapers to collect rent. Use MONOPOLY Chance Cards to sabotage your mates by building Hazards on their streets.

Which strategy will you employ? Determined drive? Ingenious daring? Intelligent caution? Will you thrive under the pressure of a fast growing global property empire – or will you crumble? Find out if you’ll thrive, or even survive, in the amazing world of MONOPOLY City Streets. It’s going to be epic fun!