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No. 20 Vol. 9
www.mypaperonline.com • 973-809-4784 September 2024
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Roxbury Native Creates Influencer Board Game
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By Megan Roche ick Montesano has wanted to break into the toy industry for quite some time. After creating a pandemic themed chess set during the COVID-19 pandemic, Montesano had found a passion for creating new and innovative games. A rising senior at William Paterson University, Montesano is studying public relations and art. As he prepares for his senior year of college, Montesano hopes to land a job as a product designer for a toy company like Hasbro, Mattel, or Fisher Price. His newest game, Influence Avenue, is similar to that of Monopoly. The game requires players to make their way around the board and earn followers, likes, and hashtag cash. There are challenges to overcome and the possibility of ending up in jail. “When you play the game, you are given a set amount of cash, similar to that of Monopoly. For every time you go around the board, there are different spaces where you can gain cash, encounter challenges or you can go to jail. There’s a lot of different things that can happen as you play the game. It’s kind of like Monopoly but you just don’t buy property, you really just gain and lose cash and once you hit a certain threshold of cash, you can win the game,” Montesano explained. The primary goal of the game is to earn as much cash as possible. “I really wanted to do something original that we haven’t seen in the market. Ever since COVID, board games have become boring and not as fun as they used to
be. This game is something people can relate to, especially among different generations. This game is more modern,” Montesano said. Montesano used a 3D printer to make the game pieces. Game pieces represent various styles, items, and influencers of the social media age. Creation of the game took Montesano about two months from conception to production. The hardest part of production? Creating the rules. “Creating the rules of the game is really a process of trial and error. You really have to have multiple people play the game to ensure that the game can be played successfully,” Montesano said. Montesano ultimately wants to bring back the fun of playing board games. Thanks to that drive, Montesano wants to lend a hand in creating the games and toys of the future. “I feel like there are less things that people can relate to nowadays because of the generation that we’re in and everything having gone digital. I want to revive the board game industry because I feel like people get a lot of encouragement and happiness out of actually physically touching a game, instead of just playing on a tablet. People get more out of a tactile and sensory board game and products that have to be physically played,” Montesano said. While Influencer Avenue is not currently for sale, Montesano hopes to offer it on the market soon. For the most up to date information on sale dates, visit www. nicholaspmontesano.myportfolio.com. EXPIRES: 10.31.24
EXPIRES: 10.31.24
Nicholas Montesano, a Roxbury native, created Influence Avenue, a new board game that he hopes to have on the market soon. EXPIRES: 10.31.24
MIX & MATCH FREE GELATI! FREE CONCRETE Buy 2 Get 1 Free! Buy 1 Gelati, Get 1 Free! or BLENDINI! Mix & Match Ice Quarts & Custard Pints
Valid only at Rita’s of Randolph, excluding cart & theme park venues. Discount applied to lowest priced item. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one offer per guest per visit. Not valid on online or delivery orders, or take home treats. Other restrictions may apply. Not for resale. @2024 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
EXPIRES: 10.31.24
1.00 OFF Any Large Treat
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Buy 1 Concrete or Blendini, Get 1 Free! Valid only at Rita’s of Randolph, excluding cart & theme park venues. Discount applied to lowest priced item. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one offer per guest per visit. Not valid on online or delivery orders, or take home treats. Other restrictions may apply. Not for resale. @2024 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Valid only at Rita’s of Randolph, excluding cart & theme park venues. Discount applied to lowest priced item. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one offer per guest per visit. Not valid on online or delivery orders, or take home treats. Other restrictions may apply. Not for resale. @2024 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Valid only at Rita’s of Randolph, excluding cart & theme park venues. Discount applied to lowest priced item. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one offer per guest per visit. Not valid on online or delivery orders, or take home treats. Other restrictions may apply. Not for resale. @2024 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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