Third Layer Games
@thirdlayergames.bsky.social
Board games for curious people who like to make sense of the world -- playfully, creatively, together.
🗓️ Just Makes Sense: Kickstarter 2026
🎲 thirdlayergames.com
Alex Leviton (she/her)
Jarmo Järvi (he/him)
🗓️ Just Makes Sense: Kickstarter 2026
🎲 thirdlayergames.com
Alex Leviton (she/her)
Jarmo Järvi (he/him)
For designers creating a board game about the senses, the Northern Lights are like a candy dish to us.
Like, it’s cool that the universe is gobsmackingly beautiful. But it’s even more amazing that we *experience* the concept of beauty in nature.
Like, it’s cool that the universe is gobsmackingly beautiful. But it’s even more amazing that we *experience* the concept of beauty in nature.
November 13, 2025 at 9:18 PM
For designers creating a board game about the senses, the Northern Lights are like a candy dish to us.
Like, it’s cool that the universe is gobsmackingly beautiful. But it’s even more amazing that we *experience* the concept of beauty in nature.
Like, it’s cool that the universe is gobsmackingly beautiful. But it’s even more amazing that we *experience* the concept of beauty in nature.
Part of why I wanted to make board games is so people can play with creativity before there are any stakes. The creative process is far messier than society allows.
#knitters: Purling gets easier, right?
#knitters: Purling gets easier, right?
November 12, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Part of why I wanted to make board games is so people can play with creativity before there are any stakes. The creative process is far messier than society allows.
#knitters: Purling gets easier, right?
#knitters: Purling gets easier, right?
When you create a board game, some rabbit holes lead you straight to ancient history.
Humanity needed to understand each other through play even before we had the wheel.
Dooo-oood.
Humanity needed to understand each other through play even before we had the wheel.
Dooo-oood.
October 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
When you create a board game, some rabbit holes lead you straight to ancient history.
Humanity needed to understand each other through play even before we had the wheel.
Dooo-oood.
Humanity needed to understand each other through play even before we had the wheel.
Dooo-oood.
Reposted by Third Layer Games
Matthew Dunstan goes over 5 different common game design problems and offers a number of suggestions for overcoming each one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSaNKMjlHSM
October 26, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Matthew Dunstan goes over 5 different common game design problems and offers a number of suggestions for overcoming each one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSaNKMjlHSM
Excited for Halloween to spark a whole new set of perspectives… I mean, this guy can’t wait! 💀
October 16, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Excited for Halloween to spark a whole new set of perspectives… I mean, this guy can’t wait! 💀
One of our goals is to create different versions: kids, travel, literary, Finland, etc.
And: a senior edition! We just playtested at a senior center, and they absolutely lit up while playing.
Making board games is the best job in the world. 🥰
boardgames #community
And: a senior edition! We just playtested at a senior center, and they absolutely lit up while playing.
Making board games is the best job in the world. 🥰
boardgames #community
October 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
One of our goals is to create different versions: kids, travel, literary, Finland, etc.
And: a senior edition! We just playtested at a senior center, and they absolutely lit up while playing.
Making board games is the best job in the world. 🥰
boardgames #community
And: a senior edition! We just playtested at a senior center, and they absolutely lit up while playing.
Making board games is the best job in the world. 🥰
boardgames #community
Inspired by last weeks crowdfunding conference, we finally ordered the first actual prototype of our game, which meant learning a whole new set of skills and creating over 400 cards :) Thanks @thegamecrafter.bsky.social for making the process easier!
October 2, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Inspired by last weeks crowdfunding conference, we finally ordered the first actual prototype of our game, which meant learning a whole new set of skills and creating over 400 cards :) Thanks @thegamecrafter.bsky.social for making the process easier!
They say to take care of your brain, learn new things.
We’re at this *amazeballs* online conference for self-publishing board game designers, put on by @launchboom.bsky.social. (Designers: So valuable. And free!)
Next level unlocked: Dementia staved off another 17.3 months.
#boardgames
We’re at this *amazeballs* online conference for self-publishing board game designers, put on by @launchboom.bsky.social. (Designers: So valuable. And free!)
Next level unlocked: Dementia staved off another 17.3 months.
#boardgames
September 24, 2025 at 7:22 PM
They say to take care of your brain, learn new things.
We’re at this *amazeballs* online conference for self-publishing board game designers, put on by @launchboom.bsky.social. (Designers: So valuable. And free!)
Next level unlocked: Dementia staved off another 17.3 months.
#boardgames
We’re at this *amazeballs* online conference for self-publishing board game designers, put on by @launchboom.bsky.social. (Designers: So valuable. And free!)
Next level unlocked: Dementia staved off another 17.3 months.
#boardgames
Board game names!
1. Perceptual
2. That Makes Sense
3. Subjective
4. Imagine That
5. Story Over Sense
6. Senseption
7. Pet the Bear
8. Six Layers
9. Lincoln Hates Beets
10. You As We Are
Which one do you most *want* to play?
#boardgames #naminghelp
1. Perceptual
2. That Makes Sense
3. Subjective
4. Imagine That
5. Story Over Sense
6. Senseption
7. Pet the Bear
8. Six Layers
9. Lincoln Hates Beets
10. You As We Are
Which one do you most *want* to play?
#boardgames #naminghelp
September 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Board game names!
1. Perceptual
2. That Makes Sense
3. Subjective
4. Imagine That
5. Story Over Sense
6. Senseption
7. Pet the Bear
8. Six Layers
9. Lincoln Hates Beets
10. You As We Are
Which one do you most *want* to play?
#boardgames #naminghelp
1. Perceptual
2. That Makes Sense
3. Subjective
4. Imagine That
5. Story Over Sense
6. Senseption
7. Pet the Bear
8. Six Layers
9. Lincoln Hates Beets
10. You As We Are
Which one do you most *want* to play?
#boardgames #naminghelp
‘By acknowledging this evolutionary heritage and consciously choosing how to respond to ancient drives, we can achieve greater peace w our desires while still honoring the fundamental human need for growth and connection.’ 💓
Translated: Buy stuff. But don’t skip game night.
@psychologytoday.com
Translated: Buy stuff. But don’t skip game night.
@psychologytoday.com
Humans carry millions of years of evolutionary pressure to acquire more resources and higher social status. But it’s our relationships that really make our lives fulfilling today.
Why More Is Never Enough
Human insatiability originates from evolutionary adaptations that have historically ensured survival through resource acquisition, status competition, and mate selection.
www.psychologytoday.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:45 PM
‘By acknowledging this evolutionary heritage and consciously choosing how to respond to ancient drives, we can achieve greater peace w our desires while still honoring the fundamental human need for growth and connection.’ 💓
Translated: Buy stuff. But don’t skip game night.
@psychologytoday.com
Translated: Buy stuff. But don’t skip game night.
@psychologytoday.com
I just learned that emus don't actually hide their heads in the sand. What?? #MindBlown ... Still, I really like "Emu hiding their head in the sand" as a perspective. Can we keep it? -JJ
September 11, 2025 at 3:31 AM
I just learned that emus don't actually hide their heads in the sand. What?? #MindBlown ... Still, I really like "Emu hiding their head in the sand" as a perspective. Can we keep it? -JJ
Our game’s ‘Sense’ cards lists their category (taste, interoception, etc).
In playtests, people *love* declaring almost rebelliously: “Oh, I didn’t even LOOK at the sense!”
Q: Why is skipping the ‘hint’ so emotionally satisfying?
#cogsci #behavior #neuroscience #psych #boardgamedesign
In playtests, people *love* declaring almost rebelliously: “Oh, I didn’t even LOOK at the sense!”
Q: Why is skipping the ‘hint’ so emotionally satisfying?
#cogsci #behavior #neuroscience #psych #boardgamedesign
September 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Our game’s ‘Sense’ cards lists their category (taste, interoception, etc).
In playtests, people *love* declaring almost rebelliously: “Oh, I didn’t even LOOK at the sense!”
Q: Why is skipping the ‘hint’ so emotionally satisfying?
#cogsci #behavior #neuroscience #psych #boardgamedesign
In playtests, people *love* declaring almost rebelliously: “Oh, I didn’t even LOOK at the sense!”
Q: Why is skipping the ‘hint’ so emotionally satisfying?
#cogsci #behavior #neuroscience #psych #boardgamedesign
🚨 Alert
🍋 Challenge
🌿 Calm
🧊 The blues
Creativity moves through all of ‘em.
🍋 Challenge
🌿 Calm
🧊 The blues
Creativity moves through all of ‘em.
August 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
🚨 Alert
🍋 Challenge
🌿 Calm
🧊 The blues
Creativity moves through all of ‘em.
🍋 Challenge
🌿 Calm
🧊 The blues
Creativity moves through all of ‘em.
Coming up with Sense cards for our board game (name *still* TBD) is the most fun thing e-var. 🤩♟️🎲
#boardgame #perception
#boardgame #perception
August 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Coming up with Sense cards for our board game (name *still* TBD) is the most fun thing e-var. 🤩♟️🎲
#boardgame #perception
#boardgame #perception
Which of these evokes bigger feelings: a Concert, a Rock Concert or Outdoor Concert? As inspired by the Waxahatchee concert at the Zoo couple of days ago :)
August 13, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Which of these evokes bigger feelings: a Concert, a Rock Concert or Outdoor Concert? As inspired by the Waxahatchee concert at the Zoo couple of days ago :)
Testing some weirder ‘You As’ Perspective cards. Any ‘oh totally!’ or ‘hell no’ first impressions?
* You on your deathbed
* You + bad life choices
* You on the Death Star
* Your liver, personified
* Your evil twin
* You, vomiting
#playtesting #boardgames #creativethinking
* You on your deathbed
* You + bad life choices
* You on the Death Star
* Your liver, personified
* Your evil twin
* You, vomiting
#playtesting #boardgames #creativethinking
August 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Testing some weirder ‘You As’ Perspective cards. Any ‘oh totally!’ or ‘hell no’ first impressions?
* You on your deathbed
* You + bad life choices
* You on the Death Star
* Your liver, personified
* Your evil twin
* You, vomiting
#playtesting #boardgames #creativethinking
* You on your deathbed
* You + bad life choices
* You on the Death Star
* Your liver, personified
* Your evil twin
* You, vomiting
#playtesting #boardgames #creativethinking
Math help! 🧮
Our game has:
100 ‘Perception’ cards with 401 categories
+
600 ‘Senses’ (300 double-sided cards)
(Each turn = draw 1 Perception and 6 Senses)
=
ChatGPT says that equals 177 trillion possible play combinations. Can that be right??
#math #boardgames #AI
Our game has:
100 ‘Perception’ cards with 401 categories
+
600 ‘Senses’ (300 double-sided cards)
(Each turn = draw 1 Perception and 6 Senses)
=
ChatGPT says that equals 177 trillion possible play combinations. Can that be right??
#math #boardgames #AI
a man with a beard is surrounded by mathematical equations on his face
Alt: Zach Galifianikis with an expression akin to the one we have now: staring at floating big numbers like, whoa.
media.tenor.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Math help! 🧮
Our game has:
100 ‘Perception’ cards with 401 categories
+
600 ‘Senses’ (300 double-sided cards)
(Each turn = draw 1 Perception and 6 Senses)
=
ChatGPT says that equals 177 trillion possible play combinations. Can that be right??
#math #boardgames #AI
Our game has:
100 ‘Perception’ cards with 401 categories
+
600 ‘Senses’ (300 double-sided cards)
(Each turn = draw 1 Perception and 6 Senses)
=
ChatGPT says that equals 177 trillion possible play combinations. Can that be right??
#math #boardgames #AI
“…found some concept cells respond to abstract ideas like government and taxes…but more respond to things like Jennifer Aniston.”
Our game is pretty much that, w more petting bears. Promise we won’t name it ‘Jennifer Aniston Over Taxes’.
www.quantamagazine.org/concept-cell...
#boardgames
Our game is pretty much that, w more petting bears. Promise we won’t name it ‘Jennifer Aniston Over Taxes’.
www.quantamagazine.org/concept-cell...
#boardgames
Concept Cells Help Your Brain Abstract Information and Build Memories | Quanta Magazine
Individual cells in the brain light up for specific ideas. These concept neurons, once known as “Jennifer Aniston cells,” help us think, imagine and remember episodes from our lives.
www.quantamagazine.org
July 28, 2025 at 3:43 PM
“…found some concept cells respond to abstract ideas like government and taxes…but more respond to things like Jennifer Aniston.”
Our game is pretty much that, w more petting bears. Promise we won’t name it ‘Jennifer Aniston Over Taxes’.
www.quantamagazine.org/concept-cell...
#boardgames
Our game is pretty much that, w more petting bears. Promise we won’t name it ‘Jennifer Aniston Over Taxes’.
www.quantamagazine.org/concept-cell...
#boardgames
More playtesting! This time at Bundok Books in #Puyallup, WA with my OPALs creativity group. Pure. Joy. 😍 From Gem, an OPAL and the owner of Bundok:
"We can’t wait to carry this board game in stock and even have it on hand for customers to play on our Slow Sundays."
🥰
"We can’t wait to carry this board game in stock and even have it on hand for customers to play on our Slow Sundays."
🥰
July 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
More playtesting! This time at Bundok Books in #Puyallup, WA with my OPALs creativity group. Pure. Joy. 😍 From Gem, an OPAL and the owner of Bundok:
"We can’t wait to carry this board game in stock and even have it on hand for customers to play on our Slow Sundays."
🥰
"We can’t wait to carry this board game in stock and even have it on hand for customers to play on our Slow Sundays."
🥰
Gem describes our game perfectly. ☺️
If you’re near #puyallup this weekend, go check out Bundok Books’ grand opening. #indiebookstore #boardgames
If you’re near #puyallup this weekend, go check out Bundok Books’ grand opening. #indiebookstore #boardgames
July 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Gem describes our game perfectly. ☺️
If you’re near #puyallup this weekend, go check out Bundok Books’ grand opening. #indiebookstore #boardgames
If you’re near #puyallup this weekend, go check out Bundok Books’ grand opening. #indiebookstore #boardgames
Bonding over the love (or loathing) of beets, teeth cleanings, or the sound of a match striking is so weirdly powerful a way to connect, this is our entire board game.
#boardgamecommunity #boardgames #weirdlittlejoys
#boardgamecommunity #boardgames #weirdlittlejoys
Nostalgia through food and scent can actually boost your well-being and sense of connection.
buff.ly/lksexMa
#food #wellness 🧪
buff.ly/lksexMa
#food #wellness 🧪
Nostalgic foods and scents like fresh-cut grass and hamburgers grilling bring comfort, connection and well-being
Once thought to be an unhealthy experience, researchers now know that feelings of nostalgia can promote greater social connectedness and a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.
buff.ly
June 25, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Bonding over the love (or loathing) of beets, teeth cleanings, or the sound of a match striking is so weirdly powerful a way to connect, this is our entire board game.
#boardgamecommunity #boardgames #weirdlittlejoys
#boardgamecommunity #boardgames #weirdlittlejoys
We share ~98.5% of our DNA with chimpanzees. Which would be nuttier if we didn't also share 98% with pigs, 70% with sea urchins and 60% with bananas.
(What happens when you're researching names for a board game.)
(What happens when you're researching names for a board game.)
June 20, 2025 at 10:27 PM
We share ~98.5% of our DNA with chimpanzees. Which would be nuttier if we didn't also share 98% with pigs, 70% with sea urchins and 60% with bananas.
(What happens when you're researching names for a board game.)
(What happens when you're researching names for a board game.)
Stinky cheese. The smell of gasoline. The first Martian colony. Cruises. Beets. Petting a bear. Getting your teeth cleaned. Banana slugs.
You know that thing you love (or hate) that everyone feels the opposite about? Here’s your chance to make your case. Coming Nov 2025. Name TBD.
#boardgames
You know that thing you love (or hate) that everyone feels the opposite about? Here’s your chance to make your case. Coming Nov 2025. Name TBD.
#boardgames
June 12, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Stinky cheese. The smell of gasoline. The first Martian colony. Cruises. Beets. Petting a bear. Getting your teeth cleaned. Banana slugs.
You know that thing you love (or hate) that everyone feels the opposite about? Here’s your chance to make your case. Coming Nov 2025. Name TBD.
#boardgames
You know that thing you love (or hate) that everyone feels the opposite about? Here’s your chance to make your case. Coming Nov 2025. Name TBD.
#boardgames