Three Moves Ahead

In this engaging conversation, Tim Campbell, game director, and Tim Morten, CEO of Frost Giant Studios, dive into the development of Stormgate. They discuss how community feedback shaped the game from early access to full launch, highlighting character and gameplay redesigns. The duo also shares insights into the new map editor that has sparked creativity among players. With their unique journeys in game development, they celebrate the excitement and anticipation surrounding the game's release, inviting players to experience new adventures in this RTS world.

In this discussion, Rob Zacny leads a team featuring Riley MacLeod, an American Civil War enthusiast; Luke Plunkett, a pop culture expert; and Rowan Kaiser, a video game consultant. They humorously navigate Riley's newfound interest in the Civil War, using the game Ultimate General: Civil War as a springboard. Topics range from the ethical challenges of portraying historical conflicts in gaming to the psychological dynamics of gameplay. They also critique the game's historical accuracy while reflecting on the complexity of Civil War narratives and their impact on players.

Dive into the vibrant world of strategy games showcased at Steam Next Fest 2025! Discover quirky titles featuring gremlin-like characters and unique dice mechanics that blend chance with strategy. Learn about the challenges of navigating a plethora of high-quality games and the importance of third-party tools for discovery. Explore innovative combat in captivating titles like Glaciard and the stunning underwater adventures from an indie studio. Plus, uncover the intriguing city-building and narrative blend in Generation Exile!

Len, Mike Williams, Luke, and Jon roll out the red carpet for 9 Kings, a tile placement base defense game with roguelite elements. It's hard to describe, honestly. But trust us: it's worth a look.

It's Three Moves Ahead Original Flavor as Len, Fraser, and Jon gather for a second panel discussion on the press hands-on for Europa Universalis 5. We discuss how this game made us feel like absolute fools, argue about whether or not Greenland is a good starter nation, and discuss who has the most Troy Energy.

This is a free preview of this month's Patreon episode. Check out the extended version at Patreon.com/3ma! Len, Lambert, and Lorris have gotten some hands-on time with the Actually Really Announced game Europa Universalis 5! We discuss our impressions, our praises, our gripes, and even some of our most precious wishes.

Len is joined by special guest Casey Explosion to talk about Cataclismo, a horde defense RTS with a unique, LEGO-like base building mechanic. We touch on the aesthetics, the tactics, and the story, as well as Casey's latest indie recommendations for 3MA listeners. Casey's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/caseyexplosion Casey's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CaseyExplosion Casey's Steam Curator Page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28340174-Casey-Explosion/ Get 20% off your first month at Patreon.com/3MA with code: 37E8A

Len, Mike, and Luke dust off their Indy hats and take a close look at Two Point Museum. We discuss how it's such a great fit for the formula Two Point Studios built over their previous two games, how you make a museum game without presenting a tacit endorsement of grave robbing, and why crime never pays.

Philip "BeoMulf" Mulford, a professional RTS esports caster and PhD student focused on space robots, shares his dual passions in a lively discussion. He explains the unique skills required for shoutcasting and contrasts it with traditional sportscasting. The conversation also explores the latest updates in Stormgate, including graphical enhancements and new gameplay features. BeoMulf highlights the dynamics of the RTS community and upcoming charity tournaments, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and support among gamers.

The hosts delve into the disappointing legacy of Sid Meier's Civilization 7, questioning its narrative depth and player engagement. They express frustration over its complicated user interface, which hampers gameplay. Humorous critiques of absurd resource management scenarios bring levity, while anxieties about the series' strategic depth and gameplay mechanics are highlighted. The conversation shifts to innovative ideas for revitalizing strategy games, emphasizing customizable civilizations. The hosts reflect on their writings and tease future discussions around the game.