FOCAL8-270 Monopoly

This document is a DECUS Program Library write-up for "MONOPOLY" (DECUS No. FOCAL8-270), a computer game program authored by C. C. Wilton-Davies in February 1973.

Written in PS/8 FOCAL, the program is designed to run on PDP-8, LINC-8, or PDP-12 systems with 8K memory and requires dectape, linctape, or preferably disc storage. It functions as a "banker" for a game of Monopoly based on the English board version, comprising 9 interconnected FOCAL programs.

Players (2-8 recommended, up to 20 possible) share a single keyboard and begin with $2000. The game simulates dice rolls, property transactions (buying, selling, mortgaging, housing), rent collection (though house/hotel rents are approximate due to a formula), "Chance" and "Community Chest" cards (randomly selected), and jail rules. Players interact using single-key commands for actions like rolling dice, checking bank balance, listing properties, or ending the game.

The document emphasizes that this is a user-contributed program, without quality control or warranty from DECUS. It serves not only as entertainment but also as a demonstration of PS/8 FOCAL's capabilities and a basic hardware diagnostic tool. The program was submitted to DECUS as a paper tape version.