Barclays, one of the biggest and most successful banks in the world, just launched what seems to me as a brilliant online financial game. While this is not exactly forex related, I still think it’s worth sharing.

56 Sage Street is a very attractive visually and gaming-wise online financial game. A dieing millionaire living in that very address is looking for a successor and you, the player, must complete various tasks sent to your mobile (Grand Theft Auto anyone?) in order to score enough points and eventually be elected as such. The game is an absolutely fun to play and is a stunning display of a successful marketing effort. I found myself playing more than half an hour flipping burgers, cleaning cars, buying clothes and sleeping in sleazy hotels while trying to both save money and make a progress in life. Because this is what the game is about – it is intended for the youth who will be able to learn about economy, savings, responsible spending and whatnot.

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I’d expect such a game to be released by any of the myriad over hyped Web 2.0 or 3.0 companies and not by a banking institution such as a Barclays which can now show that banks and bankers are not ‘grey’, boring middle-aged men clad in suits but are also people who can think of something fun. This fun can potentially contribute to myriads of new young customers for Barclays who will surely learn to appreciate the institution behind this fun game.

Did I mention you can share your score and progress through Facebook? What else do you need – start playing!