Monopoly may have met its match with a new economics-centered board game. Planet Money teamed up with Exploding Kittens to bring a fresh game to store shelves. The game, titled Sell Me A Sasquatch, hits the market with an academic twist inspired by economic themes. Designed for players aged ten and up, it promises fun for all, while offering a deeper dive for those with an interest in economics.
The Economic Concepts in Sell Me A Sasquatch
Sell Me A Sasquatch takes cues from the impactful economics paper “The Market for Lemons,” authored by George Akerlof in 1970. This pivotal work, for which Akerlof earned a Nobel Prize, examines the issues that arise when sellers possess more information than buyers—a concept known as “asymmetric information.” Akerlof used the example of used car sales to show the importance of good information in a marketplace.
When a buyer cannot distinguish between a good car and a “lemon”—a term for a poor-quality car—they hesitate to pay a premium price. As a result, sellers of quality used cars become less inclined to sell, while sellers of lemons are eager to do so. This dynamic leads to a market saturated with lower-quality products, known as “adverse selection.” Unchecked, adverse selection can degrade market quality, affecting numerous industries, from dating apps to insurance.
In the world of Sell Me A Sasquatch, the stakes are creatures and cryptids, reflecting these economic themes. Players take on roles as buyers, navigating the challenge of dealing with partial information. As the game unfolds, trust dwindles, adverse selection becomes rampant, and playful chaos ensues.
Hidden Economic References
Beyond its primary mechanics, the game contains nods to economic concepts. One such Easter egg is the Laffer Exploding Kittens, inspired by the Laffer Curve theory. This theory posits that there exists an optimal tax rate that maximizes revenue; too high a rate might decrease taxable income.
Scabby Exploding Kittens nods to labor strikes, named after Scabby the Rat, a figure commonly used in labor protests.
The BullBear Exploding Kittens fuses symbols of bullish optimism and bearish pessimism concerning stock market trends, reflecting the divided outlooks of investors.
Lastly, The Veblen refers to economist Thorstein Veblen’s concept of conspicuous consumption. Some goods—luxury cars or designer items—are sought after not for utility, but as status symbols. Veblen goods can paradoxically see increased demand as their prices rise, illustrated by the peacock’s dramatic tail.
As Planet Money continues to document this project in podcasts, listeners have a chance to engage further—both with the game, and its underlying economics. If you discover the game in your searches, and are able to share it with others, the embedded economic concepts may offer both entertainment and learning.