BOARD GAMES 2: Making our prototype

In this episode of Planet Money, Kenny Malone and Erika Beras partner with Exploding Kittens to create a board game with economic themes. They initially pitch 17 ideas, and the "Market for Lemons" concept, inspired by George Akerlof's paper on asymmetric information, gains traction. The team at Exploding Kittens develops a core game mechanic involving deal-making and bluffing, which undergoes numerous prototyping and testing phases. Despite initial reservations, the Planet Money team appreciates the game's potential after a key change introduces information asymmetry. They seek validation from game consultant Jamie Wolanski, who praises the game's unique mechanic and mass appeal. Listeners are invited to download a prototype of the game and provide feedback to help refine it further.