Planet Money BOARD GAMES 2: Making our prototype
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Oct 4, 2025 
Elan Lee, a game designer and co-founder of Exploding Kittens, joins the discussion about crafting a new economics-based board game. He shares insights on transforming creative economic concepts into engaging gameplay. The team explores unique mechanics like bluffing and partial information, revealing how minor tweaks can enhance both fun and educational value. Elan emphasizes the importance of balancing entertainment with economic principles, all while inviting listeners to playtest the prototype and contribute feedback for refinement.
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Lightning-In-The-Room Playtest
- Exploding Kittens captured a breakthrough by playtesting simple card deals with bluffing and swapping.
- That raw moment convinced the team they had the kernel of a viable game mechanic.
Economics Theme Sparks Gameplay
- The "Market for Lemons" framed the game around asymmetric information between buyer and seller.
- That academic theme provided a compelling gameplay premise and clear educational anchor.
Two-Card Deal Experiment
- Exploding Kittens prototyped a deal mechanic where sellers draw two cards and offer swaps to buyers.
- The room livens up when players strategically split or eat bad cards to avoid worse outcomes.