Name 3 Things
A guessing game about the people you already know.
Play Name 3 Things →Name 3 Things is a fast, warm, low-stakes game designed for teams and friend groups who already know each other a little. Each player is secretly assigned a teammate and has to write three true statements about them. The subject then goes through each statement live and confirms or denies it. It's equal parts guessing game and public-facing appreciation — the kind of thing that ends with people saying "oh, I didn't know that about you".
How to play
Everyone is secretly assigned a subject — one of the other players. You write three things you believe are true about that person: hobbies, background, quirks, opinions, anything that might come up in casual conversation.
When it's the subject's turn, each writer's three statements are shown one at a time. The subject reacts live — "yep", "nope", "half-true" — and the room laughs, corrects, or challenges. Points go to writers whose statements land as true.
Why it works for teams
The game rewards paying attention to your coworkers, which is exactly the muscle new teams need to build. It's especially good for onboarding cohorts a few weeks in — long enough that people have picked up impressions, early enough that most of those impressions are still shallow.
Unlike Two Truths and a Lie, no one has to disclose anything they didn't want people to know. If a writer nails something private, the subject can simply say "I'd rather not confirm" and the room moves on.
Great categories to prompt writers
If your group is stuck, seed a category before the round starts. Some that work well:
- Things about their morning routine.
- Things they were into as a teenager.
- Foods they refuse to eat.
- Places they've lived.
- Hobbies they've tried and quit.
- Weekend habits.
- Their most-used app.
- Something they'd spend a windfall on.
Hosting tips
Keep the writing timer tight — 60 seconds is usually enough. Longer timers make writers overthink and drift into fake-guessing territory.
Ask subjects to explain their answers when they can. "No, I don't play guitar — but my sister does" is more interesting than a plain nope, and it gives the room more to work with next round.
This is a great warm-up before a serious retro or planning meeting. It resets the mood without eating a large chunk of the agenda.
Frequently asked questions
How many players do you need?
Minimum four for good variety. Sweet spot is six to ten.
Is it awkward for new teams?
A little — if people literally met that morning, writers will be guessing blind. It shines about 2–4 weeks into a new team's life.
Can I play it with friends instead of coworkers?
Yes. It's even better with friends, because the writers have more material to work with.
Ready to play?
Name 3 Things on JossUp is free, needs no download, and no account. Just share a room code.
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