Planet Money is partnering with Exploding Kittens to turn a Nobel Prize–winning economics idea into a party game for big-box shelves. The team is building a mass-appeal game inspired by “The Market for Lemons,” and now faces a high-stakes challenge: finding a name and theme that can win over casual players and retail buyers alike.
The project, led by hosts Kenny Malone and Erika Beras, aims to teach economic ideas without feeling like homework. The plan is simple in theory and tricky in practice. A catchy identity could decide whether the game lands nationwide or stalls before launch.
A Classic Paper, Reimagined
The concept draws on economist George Akerlof’s famous paper “The Market for Lemons,” which explained how hidden information can poison a market. His example was the used car lot, where sellers know more than buyers. That gap leads to lower prices and worse choices. The idea helped earn Akerlof a Nobel Prize in 2001.
The team wants players to feel those pressures through play. They have a working mechanic and rules that model information gaps and trust. What they do not have yet is the hook that gets people to pick up the box.
“We’ve decided we want a mass-appeal party game that quietly sneaks in the economics,” the hosts said, describing their design goal.
The group says the core loop is fun on its own. The economics should surface during table talk and strategy, not as a lecture.
Why the Name Matters
Retail buyers and shoppers often make snap choices. A name and theme must signal fun in seconds and be easy to pitch. A weak choice can confuse buyers or limit shelf placement. A strong one can boost discoverability, social sharing, and repeat play.
“Now all we need is a good name and theme,” the team said. “Turns out, that is way harder and way higher stakes than any of us could have imagined.”
Exploding Kittens built its reputation on simple rules, bold art, and direct titles. The company’s mass-market experience is a guide for what works on a crowded shelf. The Planet Money team is trying to match that clarity while staying true to the economics.
- Names must be short, memorable, and easy to pronounce.
- Themes should be clear at a glance and fit party settings.
- Art direction needs to match the joke and the mechanic.
Design Meets Mass Retail
Getting into national chains requires more than a clever idea. Games must pass playtesting, meet price targets, and fit a category. The box needs to communicate gameplay, player count, and time in under five seconds. The hosts say they want broad appeal without losing the lesson.
That trade-off is central. An academic title might please insiders but stall in a party game aisle. A joke-only name might sell once but fail to deliver the concept. The team is searching for a middle path that invites laughter and rewards repeat play.
Producer James Sneed and editor Marianne McCune helped shape the episode detailing this stage. Fact-checker Willa Rubin and engineers Cena Loffredo and Kwesi Lee supported the production. Executive producer Alex Goldmark oversaw the effort.
What Success Could Look Like
Many party games live or die on word of mouth. A clear name can fuel social clips, rules explainers, and quick demos at game nights. If this title lands, it could put economic thinking into living rooms that rarely see it.
The team’s goal is to “sneak in the economics” through laughs and strategy. If players absorb how hidden information shapes deals, the project will have met its mission. If the game misses the mark, the lesson may be that theme and title are as important as mechanics.
“We want a mass-appeal party game,” host Kenny Malone said, emphasizing the target audience as they refine options.
The collaboration shows how media and game design can cross paths. It also shows how hard it is to translate a classic idea into a box that sits next to established hits.
For now, the search is on. The next steps include testing candidate titles, refining art, and gauging retail feedback. Shoppers will likely see the result if the team can balance humor, clarity, and a clear nod to information gaps.
As the series continues, watch for a final name reveal and early playtests. The outcome will signal whether a sharp title can help economic theory punch into the party game aisle—and stay there.
