If you haven't yet embraced the fact that plastic is here, in the form of debit and credit cards, it's time to start accepting. The Game of Life, Twists and Turns Edition was released in August 2007. It is the first major board game in America to swap the money with a Visa-branded card. That's right, no more colorful money to throw in the air. Why? Vice President of Marketing, Matt Collins, says, "...It was also time to reflect the way people choose to pay and be paid - and replacing cash with Visa was an obvious choice."

It's true that plastic is replacing cash. People are using credit cards and debit cards more than ever. Recent studies in America state that ninety-three percent of people hold an average of seven credit cards each. Americans use their charge cards more than they used to, charging over fifty billion dollars worth of fast food in 2006. Granted, more and more stores are accepting plastic along with cash, but it's still an increase of twenty-nine fold since 2001.

There are a few other big changes as well. The new American Dream seems to be all about living life to the fullest, and The Game of Life captures that picture. For example, even if you have the most money at the end of the game, you're not necessarily the winner. Instead, the winner is the one with the most "Life Points." Life Points are the combination of life experiences and money.

The changes do not stop there. The wheel you used to flick with your finger is now an electronic LIFEPod that's a lot like your PDA. The LIFEPod will track your financial and game status. Instead of driving your car from start to finish, the board is divided into four sections: Live It, Love It, Learn It, and Earn It. You can choose to stay in one "life experience" or experience it all. You can also decide, at the beginning of each game, how many "years" you want the game to last.

Opinions of the new changes to LIFE are extreme. Some support these adjustments, stating it will allow parents to teach their children how to use credit cards responsibly, since so many more households charge rather than pay with cash. With the goal of teaching good money management, Visa provides financial tips in the game. Visa also includes portions of its program Practical Money Skills for Life.

However, some child psychologists are up in arms about the new version. They feel credit cards are already targeting teens and this is just a way to target a younger group. Since there is no minimum age requirement for credit card holders, they are worried that children will be sucked into getting their own credit card, and therefore getting their own debt.

Since the New Game of Life, Twists and Turns edition was just released, the verdict is still out. However, the European version of Monopoly that includes the Visa Debit Card was released last year. The few reviews found on Amazon.com were favorable. So if the high-tech version of Monopoly is any indication of its success, the Twists and Turns Edition just may become a staple in American game culture.

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