When designing a GAME, what's in a name?

Key takeaways

A good name and theme can significantly influence a product's success, especially in retail where quick decisions are made.
Whimsical and imaginative themes resonate well with potential buyers, but practical considerations regarding cultural interpretation must be taken into account.
Collaborative brainstorming and willingness to explore unconventional ideas are vital in the creative process.
Nostalgia and cultural resonance can be powerful marketing tools, tapping into shared experiences among specific demographics.

Summary

The Importance of Naming and Theming a Game

In this episode of Planet Money, the hosts delve into the significance of a good name and theme for their board game, a critical aspect that could make or break its success in big box retail. The discussion centers around the advice from game consultant Jamie Wolanski, who emphasizes that a name can determine if a game grabs customer interest within three feet and three seconds in a store. They highlight how they must navigate what might appeal to retail giants like Walmart and Target, while also resonating with their intended audience.

Exploring Naming Options

As the team brainstorms potential names and themes, several creative suggestions emerge, such as 'misfit mascots', 'creature collectors', and 'cats in suits'. Each idea plays with whimsical elements, aiming to capture the chaotic excitement of trading and prospects. However, there's a realization that names must also avoid misconceptions that may deter buyers who have limited time to make a decision.

Navigating Cultural Considerations

The conversation takes a turn when it becomes apparent that certain themes may not translate well internationally, specifically the name 'Sell Me a Sasquatch'. The team weighs the need for a name that works for both the American and European markets, sparking a profound discussion on the consequences of culturally specific nomenclature and how it can affect product accessibility.

Settling on 'Sell Me a Sasquatch'

After much back and forth, the team embraces 'Sell Me a Sasquatch' as their game’s title. Despite acknowledging that Sasquatches are not well-known outside of North America, the team leans on the fun and nostalgic aspects that the name elicits for their core audience. They recognize the challenge ahead but ultimately decide that the joy of the name is worth it.

Show notes

Planet Money has teamed up with the company Exploding Kittens to make a board game inspired by the legendary economics paper The Market for Lemons. We’ve decided we want a mass-appeal party game that quietly sneaks in the economics, so that we can report from inside a world that no other Planet Money project has entered: the real shelves at real big box retail stores.

We have a great game mechanic and a set of rules. Now all we need is a good name and theme.

Turns out, that is way harder and way higher stakes than any of us could have imagined.

In the third episode of our series, we learn the importance of a good game name and theme and try to come up with one for our game.

Find our other episodes in the board game series, here and here.

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This episode of Planet Money was hosted by Kenny Malone and Erika Beras. It was produced by James Sneed and edited by Marianne McCune, fact-checked by Willa Rubin, and engineered by Cena Loffredo and Kwesi Lee. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.

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