Move over Monopoly. There is a new economics-themed board game called Sell Me A Sasquatch. Planet Money collaborated with Exploding Kittens to create it, and the game is now available on store shelves. While it’s inspired by economics, it is designed for everyone aged 10 and up, not only for those who are deeply interested in the field.

The Economic Ideas Behind Sell Me A Sasquatch

This game is loosely inspired by George Akerlof’s 1970 paper, The Market for Lemons. Akerlof, who later received a Nobel Prize for this work, highlighted why good information is essential for a healthy marketplace. He explained the concept of “asymmetric information”, where sellers know more than buyers. Akerlof used the example of the used car market to illustrate this.

Q: Why is good information critical for a healthy marketplace?

Buyers struggle to differentiate between high-quality and low-quality cars, making them hesitant to pay top prices due to risk. This reluctance leads to adverse selection, where only lower-quality goods remain in the market as high-quality goods become less available. This phenomenon can appear in various markets from dating apps to health insurance.

In Sell Me A Sasquatch, these ideas are reflected as players trade cryptids often with partial information, engaging in bluffing and bargaining. This process leads to a breakdown in trust, repeated adverse selection, and results in a chaotic but fun gaming experience.

Easter Eggs in Sell Me A Sasquatch

The game is filled with references to economic concepts, many suggested by Planet Money listeners. The game received over 1,600 submissions for ideas, resulting in various economics-themed cryptids and creatures.

• The Laffer Exploding Kittens: This creature references the controversial Laffer Curve theory about tax rates and government revenue.
• Scabby Exploding Kittens: Named after Scabby the Rat, this refers to labor strikes and protests.
• The BullBear: Combines bullish and bearish market perspectives into one creature, reflecting mixed predictions about stock market trends.
• The Veblen: This peacock symbolizes conspicuous consumption—a concept developed by Thorstein Veblen. It discusses the idea that demand for some goods increases as their price does, known as Veblen goods.

The game and its Easter eggs offer a playful look at economic theories. If you stumble upon Sell Me A Sasquatch in stores or play it during a game night, these references may add a layer of understanding to the fun.