At any other time Cassie and Cora Boyd would probably be sitting through a math class at their school.
However, the threat of the COVID-19 virus forced the cancellation of the rest of the school year means students have to funnel their creative minds elsewhere. Idle teenagers also need something to do.
Enter Danganronpa Monopoly, the custom board game Brown’s Arm sisters Cassie and Cora Boyd created over one weekend since school was suspended on Mar. 17.
“We were looking for something to do and we found eight games of Monopoly,” said Cassie. “We said 'lets create a boardgame.'”
Based on Danganronpa, a popular Japanese video game, manga (comic) and anime series, the 14-year-old twins set about creating the entire game from scratch using the Monopoly board as a backdrop.
Over the course of a day-and-a-half, the sisters put together character lists, came up with where each character was going on the board and developed their version of chance cards
“It was fulfilling to play our own game,” said Cassie.
If creating the boardgame accomplished anything, it would help fight the immense boredom the sisters were experiencing.
You can only go for so many rides and scream sing the lyrics to your favourite songs so many times.
“At first we were like, ‘yeah, school’ but there it feels like there is no end to the day,” said Cora. “Making the game felt like a routine.
“It gives you something to do for a little while.”
Their modified version of Monopoly isn’t the first time the sisters have worked together on a project.
They’ve produced comic books before. Cassie will supply the artwork and Cora will do the writing.
On top of that, Cassie has a YouTube channel where she and her sister post videos of them doing impressions.
Their work with the Danganronpa board game they created has inspired some in their social circle, while also stoking the fires of jealously in others.
Cassie and Cora’s brother and their mom want to construct something of their own. They’ve still got seven original Monopoly boards hanging around, so there is plenty of options to choose from.
When the sisters sent pics of their creation to friends who also play the game, they received envious messages back.
“It gives you something to do for a while,” said Cora.
