Exploding Kittens has teamed up with Planet Money to release a new economics-themed board game called Sell Me A Sasquatch. This game, now available in stores, offers a unique blend of fun and economics, appealing to players aged 10 and up. Whether you’re familiar with economics or just curious, this game provides an entertaining introduction to economic concepts.
The Economic Concepts Behind the Game
The game draws inspiration from a famous economics paper, “The Market for Lemons,” written by George Akerlof in 1970. This paper, which helped Akerlof win the Nobel Prize in economics, explores the impact of information asymmetry in markets, using the example of used cars to demonstrate how a lack of good information can distort prices.
Imagine shopping for a used car. Some are excellent, while others are “lemons” or bad investments. Due to limited knowledge, buyers struggle to distinguish between the two, making them hesitant to pay high prices. As a result, sellers of quality cars are reluctant to sell below value, leaving a larger share of lemons in the market. This process, known as “adverse selection,” leads to market deterioration if unchecked.
Sell Me A Sasquatch incorporates these economic principles. Instead of trading cars, players negotiate deals involving creatures and cryptids. As in Akerlof’s scenario, players receive incomplete information, creating opportunities for bluffing and bargaining. Over time, trust erodes, leading to increased adverse selection and playful chaos in the game.
Easter Eggs and Economic References
The game is imbued with economic humor and nods to famous economic theories. Players collect cards featuring cryptids with an economics twist. Planet Money listeners contributed over 1,600 ideas, some of which are highlighted below:
- The Laffer Exploding Kittens: A curved, laughing hyena references the Laffer Curve, a theory suggesting tax rates can discourage work and reduce government revenue if set too high.
- Scabby Exploding Kittens: Named after Scabby the Rat, this creature is inspired by labor strikes and the Planet Money episode on the topic. Scabby is often seen on picket lines as a protest symbol.
- The BullBear Exploding Kittens: Combining traits of bulls and bears, this creature reflects the opposing market sentiments, representing optimism and pessimism in stock markets.
- The Veblen Exploding Kittens: A flamboyant peacock named after Thorstein Veblen, who introduced “conspicuous consumption.” This creature symbolizes luxury items bought for status rather than utility.
The game aims to introduce players to economic ideas through engaging gameplay and cleverly designed references. As the Planet Money podcast continues exploring the game’s development, listeners can look forward to new episodes providing deeper insights into retail processes and product selection.
If you spot the game in stores and play it with friends, share these Easter eggs and their meanings. While not everyone may appreciate them, those who do will find added enjoyment in the game.