Play Monopoly with Chinese Internet Services

Have you ever wished learning about the Chinese internet was more like Monopoly? No? Well, neither has anyone else, but this still exists. Yup, it’s “Mailmanopoly”, a graphic designed by the folks at Mailman as linkbait a fun way to review China’s top websites by category.

Click for the full-size version

As a rundown of China’s top sites, it’s pretty well done. There are so many sites that they had to squeeze multiple ones onto each property square, but all the big guys are there. It does seem to be a bit outdated, though. Amazon still appears on the board with Joyo branding, despite the fact that it dropped that name last October, and Youku and Tudou appear on different squares in the video category, which seems off considering their recent merger.

As a monopoly game, though, the board is sorely lacking. There are some clever conceits — the jail becoming the blocked website zone is a good one — but the image is too small to print out, there are no prices on the properties, and because they added in extra property squares, the board doesn’t parallel real monopoly. Honestly, this probably makes me a nerd, but when I saw it the first thing I wanted to see was what they’d put on Boardwalk and Park Place — in other words, what are China’s two most valuable internet companies? Unfortunately, that’s not how they did things; there is no Boardwalk or Park Place equivalent on this board. Other things are just uninspired; the Community Chest card reads: “You have won second place in a tech context [sic].”

Still, it’s a fun image for a quick overview of the main players on China’s internet and where they all stand. I hope it inspires someone to create a full-resolution, playable version of Chinese internet Monopoly though. Something with a full deck of chance and community chest cards, and maybe property prices based on the market valuations of each company, or user numbers? Maybe a version that was printable so that, uh, other people could play it at home? I mean, I’m not that big a nerd, but I’m sure there’s an interest. Just sayin’.