Charles Darrow created the game Monopoly in 1934 during the Great Depression after Parker Brothers rejected his original design. He produced 5,000 copies himself and sold them in a Philadelphia department store. As demand increased, he returned to Parker Brothers who agreed to publish the game, which then became the best-selling game in the United States by 1935. Over half a billion people have now played Monopoly worldwide and championships are held with substantial prize money. The game involves players taking turns throwing dice and moving their tokens around the board, buying and trading properties, paying rent, and following other events.