Breaking: Planet Money Unveils Sell Me A Sasquatch Board Game and opens Call for Creature Suggestions
In a bold fusion of economics and play, Planet Money has named and themed a new board game, inviting readers nationwide to help curate the creature lineup with monetary twists. The project centers on collecting, trading, and maneuvering around under-the-radar deals with fantastical beings, drawing on classic market theory for inspiration.
The Concept
The game is titled Sell Me A Sasquatch. It blends creature collection, trading, and strategic dealmaking into a narrative where players navigate value, risk, and choice. The design loosely references the Nobel-winning economics idea known as The Market for Lemons, embedding economic concepts into the fantasy of cryptids and other mythical beings.
creators have settled on a name and a theme and are actively seeking public input to complete the roster of creatures. The project is presented as an interactive phase where the community can shape the final game design.
How to Participate
Readers are invited to submit ideas for creatures with a Planet Money twist—something that ties into money, markets, or economic logic. Suggestions range from boosting liquidity to illustrating complex financial ideas, such as a possible “black swan” event or a liquidity trap. In addition to well-known cryptids, contributors are urged to propose original or local legends that echo economic concepts.
the project includes an embedded form for submissions, making it easy to share ideas directly within the article. Readers can also reference local cryptids or legendary beings from their own regions to broaden the game’s cultural reach.
Public Input in Action
As part of the appeal, the creators highlight that the lineup already contains familiar figures (for example, Kraken, zombie, and cootie) and a few whimsical entries (tooth fairy, ghost in the machine, golden goose). The team emphasizes that public participation is essential to finish the game’s roster and flavor.
Why This Matters
By turning economic ideas into a board game, the project aims to make abstract concepts tangible and entertaining. It serves as a hands-on way to explore topics such as market signaling, data asymmetry, and risk, while inviting broad creative input from a diverse audience.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Game Title | Sell Me A Sasquatch |
| Core Gameplay | Creature collection, trading, and sneaky deal-making |
| Inspiration | The Market for Lemons (economic signaling and information asymmetry) |
| Participation | Public input via an embedded online form |
| Existing Creatures Mentioned | Kraken, zombie, cootie; tooth fairy, ghost in the machine, golden goose |
| Local-Cryptid Twist | Open to legendary beings from readers’ regions, including local lore |
Why It’s Evergreen
The project demonstrates how complex economic ideas can be translated into accessible, hands-on formats. It invites ongoing community engagement,keeping the conversation alive about how markets,risk,and value operate in both real and imagined worlds. Readers can follow the evolving project and learn about foundational economic concepts through a playful lens, with opportunities to contribute and see ideas come to life.
Where to Learn More
For context on the economic principle that informs the project, explore The Market for Lemons, a foundational concept in signaling and quality information in markets. The Market for Lemons.
Interested readers can also explore Planet Money’s broader economic storytelling to see how real-world ideas are translated into engaging formats. Planet Money coverage.
Share Your ideas
What legendary cryptid from your region would you add to the game, and how would it embody a money-related concept? Which economic idea would you tie to a creature in your own version of Sell Me A Sasquatch?
Engage with the Project
Submit your suggestions using the embedded form in the article. Or leave ideas in the comments so the creators can consider a wide range of perspectives. Your input could help shape the final lineup of creatures and the game’s themes.
Join the conversation: Which creature would you bring to life in a Planet Money board game, and which economic lesson would it teach?
