BOARD GAMES 3: What’s in a name?

The Planet Money podcast explores the process of naming and theming a board game, "Sell Me a Sasquatch," in collaboration with Exploding Kittens, aiming for big box retail success. The hosts initially consider a car-themed game based on the "Market for Lemons" but explore alternative themes like Misfit Mascots and Cats Who Are Also Salesmen. They consult Jamie Wolansky, a game consultant, who emphasizes the importance of capturing customer attention within three seconds. Despite initial enthusiasm for "Sell Me a Sasquatch," international teams raise concerns about the unfamiliarity of Sasquatch in Europe, leading to a search for a universally appealing theme. Ultimately, the team decides to move forward with "Sell Me a Sasquatch" for the U.S. market, tasking the international teams with figuring out how to market it to Europe. The podcast also invites listeners to contribute creature ideas for the game.