If you could buy any street in the world, which one would you buy? Would you buy all the streets in your neighborhood? Or would you buy streets in a variety of locations?

To me, these questions expose the social research side of the online “game” Monopoly City Streets. I’ve been playing since the day they launched and enjoy it… somewhat. I like the interface. I like the ability to suddenly have the cash to buy anyplace in the world I want.

The game was launched as a marketing campaign for the new board game of the same name. The game is played by buying streets based off of Google maps. Once you have bought streets, you can build on them.

The bigger you build, the more rent you get each day. Buy a few streets and you get to keep all your income. The more streets you buy, the more tax you pay on your income.

Chance plays a part too. When you build, you have a chance at a card. Cards let you build good things (parks, schools, stadiums) or bad things (jails, plants, etc). You may also get a card that gives you extra income or allows you to destroy a building.

Different people have different playing strategies. Some buy big streets and build them up – going for the quick cash. Others go for a variety of smaller streets – going for diversification.

Once you have purchased streets, you can sell them back for half their value. Buildings can be sold back for half their value as well. If you decide to sell a street, sell the buildings on it first. If you don’t you won’t be able to recoup the price of the buildings.

IF someone else already owns a street you want, you can make an offer on it. They have one week to accept or reject your offer.

I’ve been playing since the beginning. I like the game. It is a quick mid-afternoon diversion. I currently own 19 streets in California, Arizona, Iowa, and Illinois. Most of them are built up completely. I need to diversify, but I have reached the point where buying more streets will start costing me too much tax to make it worth the while.

The only thing I haven’t liked about the game? It doesn’t follow through on the social side. I can friend other players. I can also add other players to my leader board. What I can’t do is FIND other players. There is no search for players. If you know some one’s handle, you can find them. If they have a street near you, you can find them. Otherwise, you are out of luck.

If you want to play, you can join the game at http://www.monopolycitystreets.com Signing up for the game is easy, as is playing. There are a few restrictions in place to prevent cheating, but they (nicely) don’t restrict family members from playing.

When you go to buy your first street, be careful which one you get Your first purchase determines your locality for the game. Even if you sell that street later, your location will still be that neighborhood.

If you decide to play, let me know. I am CallKathy there (surprise surprise).

Get rich – build buildings – and have a blast doing it!