The game has its origins in a game created in 1904 called Landlord's Game. A version of this game based on the city of Atlantic City was patented in 1935 and was bought by the Parker Brothers Company, who has been selling it to this day, now under the control of the Hasbro Company. It is estimated that more than 500 million copies have been sold since its release, making it the most played board game in the world.