Three Moves Ahead

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Three Moves Ahead is the leading strategy game themed podcast on the internet. Every week a panel of knowledgeable gamers with strong opinions meets to talk about the strategy and war games of the day, design issues and games in the wider world.

Idle Thumbs


    • May 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 14m AVG DURATION
    • 633 EPISODES

    4.8 from 441 ratings Listeners of Three Moves Ahead that love the show mention: tma, tom chick, great strategy, total war, particular game, panel members, even for non, troy, julian, excellent hosts, games podcast, bruce, intelligent conversation, intelligent discussion, rob's, board games, gamers, mechanics, best gaming, mature.


    Ivy Insights

    The Three Moves Ahead podcast is a must-listen for strategy game enthusiasts. Hosted by Rob Zacny, this podcast delves deep into the world of strategy games, exploring their mechanics, design, and what makes them great. With a focus on both computer and board games, this podcast offers insightful discussions and reviews that keep listeners engaged.

    One of the best aspects of The Three Moves Ahead podcast is the genuine banter between the hosts and guests. The conversations feel authentic and it's clear that they have a true passion for strategy games. The episodes are well-produced, with a tight format that keeps the discussion focused and informative. The hosts put in effort to ensure the content is quality and not just a product.

    Another highlight of this podcast is the extensive archive of episodes available. With episodes dating back to 2009, listeners can dive deep into the back catalog and find a wealth of information on various strategy games. Each episode focuses on a specific game or topic, providing in-depth analysis that helps listeners understand the layers built into these complex games.

    While there are many positives to The Three Moves Ahead podcast, one drawback is that new episodes are not released frequently enough. Listeners may find themselves wanting more content from this excellent podcast. Additionally, some may find certain hosts' use of upspeak distracting or irritating, although this was less prevalent in earlier episodes.

    In conclusion, The Three Moves Ahead podcast is an outstanding resource for strategy game fans. It offers intelligent discussions on both computer and board games, with hosts who truly know their stuff. The extensive archive allows listeners to explore a wide range of topics within the strategy gaming genre. Overall, this podcast comes highly recommended for anyone interested in strategy games or game design.



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    Latest episodes from Three Moves Ahead

    Three Moves Ahead 633: Even More EU5

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 85:59


    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.

    Three Moves Ahead 632: We Played Europa Universalis 5! (No CB Megacast 11 Preview)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 42:15


    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.

    Three Moves Ahead 631: Cataclismo

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 68:12


    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

    Three Moves Ahead 630: Two Point Museum

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 66:20


    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.

    Three Moves Ahead 629: RTS Shoutcasting and Stormgate 0.3.0 with BeoMulf

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 65:07


    This week, Len sits down with Philip "BeoMulf" Mulford, a professional RTS esports caster. We discuss how you get that gig, how you develop the skills for it, and how it compares to traditional sportscasting. We also dig in a bit to the recent 0.3.0 patch for Stormgate and how the first big graphical refresh, automated control groups, and fully rebindable hotkeys change the experience. NOTE: We found out after the show was recorded that Philip will be handling the main stream for the CHOC tournament on Sunday at https://www.twitch.tv/beomulf. You can find out more at https://playstormgate.com/news/stormgate-for-choc-charity-tournament

    Three Moves Ahead 628: Sid Meier's Civilization 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 81:27


    Len, Fraser, and Sin gather to try and figure out what the heck happened with Civilization 7. We discuss why it's such a let-down for the legendary series, and whether or not it's just time for civilization to end.

    Three Moves Ahead 627: Look Ahead to 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 69:33


    Len, Mike, and Nerium gaze down the road ahead at the most interesting and promising strategy games coming out (we hope) in 2025, from the heavy-hitters to some indie oddities.

    Three Moves Ahead 626: 2024 Wrap-Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 63:16


    Len, Mike, and Sin gather 'round to sing the praises of our favorite strategy and tactics games of the year, as well as trying to identify the ever-elusive narrative throughline.

    Three Moves Ahead 625: Caves of Qud

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 82:21


    Len, Jon, and Mike are joined by Freehold Games' Brian Bucklew and Jason Grinblat to discuss Caves of Qud. In a world where rogue"lites" and rogue-adjacents have blown up, what is the niche of a true, traditional roguelike? We also dig into the procedural generation of its post-multiple-apocalypses world and dreamlike writing style.

    Three Moves Ahead 624: What Else Are We Playing: November 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2024 81:48


    Len is joined by Nerium Strom, Mike Williams, and Sin Vega for a round-table of What Else Are We Playing? From weird surreal horror to Factorio and Cities: Skylines 2, it's a chill chat for a chilly month on our production calendar.

    Three Moves Ahead 623: Frostpunk 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 74:44


    Len is joined by Father Lorris and Sin Vega to discuss Frostpunk 2, the long-awaited sequel to the quintessential survival city-builder. We discuss where it hits and where it misses, with a particular focus on the strengths of the original that it fails to recapture by zooming out further.

    Three Moves Ahead 622: Tactical Breach Wizards

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 75:38


    Len and Rowan are joined by games writer Kris Lorischild to discuss Tactical Breach Wizards. We discuss how rare it is for a game to be this funny on purposes, as opposed to from the chaotic intersection of procedural systems, how it creates rewarding tactical puzzles with simple ingredients, and... Metal Gear?!

    Three Moves Ahead 621: The Return of MicroProse

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 66:52


    Len is joined this week by David Lagettie, CEO of the resurrected MicroProse. We share some of our own MicropProse memories, and discuss what makes a MicroProse game, as well as why David chose this brand to bring back from oblivion.

    Three Moves Ahead 620: Fined by the Pope (EU5 Megacast 5 Preview)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 30:56


    This is a free preview of this month's Patreon episode. Check out the extended version at Patreon.com/3ma! Len, Lambert, and FatherLorris continue their ongoing beef with the Holy See while discussing Europa Universalis 5 dev diaries primarily focused on warfare. We're not even doing jokes about how long these are anymore. That's so early 2024. It's just expected at this point. This is our lives now.

    Three Moves Ahead 619: Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024 83:00


    Len is joined by Aftermath's Luke Plunkett and Dr. Bret Devereaux to discuss Total War: Pharaoh's expansive Dynasties glow-up. We dig into the sources that are and aren't available for Bronze Age warfare, how the latest historical Total War feels now with all the bells and whistles, and whether or not Creative Assembly's grand apology tour might be a sign of things to come, or just a one-off PR move.

    Three Moves Ahead 618: Workers & Resources 1.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2024 89:51


    Len and Jon are joined by Sin Vega and Well There's Your Problem's Justin Roczniak (donoteat01) to revisit Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic for its 1.0 release. We discuss what's changed and been added since we last checked it out in Early Access, why it's so captivating, and who it's actually for.

    Three Moves Ahead 617: Down the Well (EU5 Megacast 4 Preview)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 32:52


    This is a free preview of this month's Patreon episode. Check out the extended version at Patreon.com/3ma! Len, Lambert, and Lorris get in and out of this month's deluge of dev diaries in a downright snappy three hours, despite nitpicking EU5's depiction of the British Isles for long enough to kill a non-map gamer. Please be cautious when listening to our nonsense around partners, small children, and the psychologically healthy. They may be unprepared for exposure to our level of pedantry and hyperfixation. FatherLorris' Art Manifesto: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hShrL1wJxVX0t4oNLasDFjf2ibGnuizBRERubdDyWVo/

    Three Moves Ahead 616: The Future of Anbennar and EU5

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 90:09


    Len, Lorris, and Lambert sat down with JayBean, the creator of the popular Anbennar fantasy total conversion mods for Europa Universalis 4, Crusader Kings 3, and Victoria 3. We asked him what he's most excited about from what we've seen of EU5 so far, what changes he might make to the mod with these new systems, and how Paradox Tinto can better support the modding community.

    Three Moves Ahead 615: Homeworld 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2024 71:47


    Len, Luke, and Ian warp in to discuss Homeworld 3, a space strategy sequel more than two decades in the making. We discuss its use of space terrain, the more intimate storytelling in the campaign, the co-op Wargames mode, and what it has and hasn't preserved from its pantheonic predecessors.

    Three Moves Ahead 614: To Four Hours... And Beyond! (EU5 Megacast 3 Preview)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 32:29


    This is a free preview of this month's Patreon episode. Check out the extended version at Patreon.com/3ma! Len, Lambert, and Lorris are here to explore the question of how long a podcast about an unreleased game can be before someone in our lives physically intervenes. We not only have Tinto Talks and the Johan Files to cover, but now Tinto Maps, Saturday Buildings, and the Pavía Papers. There was actually more news about EU5 this month than there ever has been in a 30-day period about any previous Paradox game.

    Three Moves Ahead 613: Total War Warhammer 3: Thrones of Decay

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024 89:17


    Len and Rowan are joined by Nathan from the YouTube channel The Great Book of Grudges to discuss the Thrones of Decay patch, Creative Assembly's apology tour, and the state of Immortal Empires in 2024. Rowan grapples with why Warhammer 3 just isn't doing it for her, Nathan marvels at the current contentment of the community, and Len chews a hole in a shirt.

    Three Moves Ahead 612: Manor Lords

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 77:35


    Len, Ian, and Jon are joined by our official unofficial historical consultant, Dr. Bret Devereaux, to discuss Manor Lords. We clear up what it is and what it isn't, how it portrays the historical realities of medieval burgage, and how Early of an Early Access game it really is.

    Three Moves Ahead 611: Going the Distance (EU5 Megacast 2 Preview)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 37:09


    This is a free preview of this month's Patreon episode. Check out the extended version at Patreon.com/3ma! Len, Lambert, and Lorris are back to discuss the next four Europa Universalis V dev diaries and The Johan Files, an edited compilation of all of Johan's relevant forum posts that has more than doubled in size since we last talked. We decided to call it at four hours, but still had plenty more to talk about, so it seems like the Megacast format isn't going anywhere any time soon...

    Three Moves Ahead 610: Millennia

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2024 84:02


    It's a full house this week, as Len is joined by Ian Boudreau, Luke Plunkett, Mike Williams, and Ruth Cassidy to perform a bit of an autopsy on Millennia, C Prompt and Paradox's take at a Civ-like historical 4X. We all came away with a bit of a bad taste in our mouths about it, to varying degrees, and we spend a fair bit of time trying to explain why – and set aside some time to talk about what we did like.

    Three Moves Ahead 609: Europa Universalis 5 Confirmed?! (Patreon Preview)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2024 29:48


    This is a preview of this month's Patreon episode. Check out the extended version at Patreon.com/3ma! Join Len, FatherLorris, and Lord Lambert as we get the NoCB Cast band back together to talk for 3.5 hours about Paradox Tinto's "Project Caesar," which is probably Europa Universalis 5. Okay, let's be real: it's definitely Europa Universalis 5. We break down the first four dev diaries, everything Johan has ever said about the project on the forums, and talk a bit about the year 1337 – which was not confirmed as the new start date when we recorded this, but has been at this point. So we nailed it. We're very smart. Please clap.

    Three Moves Ahead 608: Balatro

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 60:55


    Len, Jon, and Mike Williams deal out a hand or two of Balatro. It's poker? Sort of? Not really? Poker with boss battles. Poker with booster packs. Poker with tarot cards? We don't hold our opinions close to our chest as we try to apply some kind of taxonomy to this indie surprise hit.

    Three Moves Ahead 607: The Strategy Games of Steam Next Fest 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 73:32


    Len, Jon, and Mike Williams sit down to discuss the strategy and strategy-adjacent demos that caught our eyes in Steam Next Fest. Jon played 50 (!) of them, and several were actually good! Also like, where are all the aliens, for real though?

    Three Moves Ahead 606: 2024 Look Ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 78:32


    Len, Mike Williams, and Nerium Strom take a look at the strategy and strategy-adjacent games coming in 2024, discuss which ones we're most interested in, make some predictions, and discuss the awful state of the industry for workers this year so far.

    Three Moves Ahead 605: Warhammer 40,000 Tabletop

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2024 84:30


    Is this a Winter of Wargaming? Len and Ian are joined by Brian "Chef Lu Bu" Smawley to dig into Warhammer 40K as a setting through the lens of the flagship tabletop miniatures game (particularly the recent 10th Edition). We go over a bit of lore, run through the factions, talk about our favorites, discuss how we got into the hobby, and why it may or may not be for you.

    Three Moves Ahead 604: Mega-Sized 2023 Recap!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2023 134:04


    Len, Rowan, and Ian gather 'round the Yule Log for an extended discussion on the year that was 2023 in strategy games. There was a lot of good and a lot of bad. There were a lot of people talking about "Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year" that didn't really know what they were talking about. We share our personal picks and tease out a theme to encapsulate an eventful stretch of time.

    Three Moves Ahead 603: Against the Storm 1.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2023 85:49


    Len, Rowan, and Luke have gathered around the hearth to revisit Against the Storm for its 1.0 launch. With one veteran and two greenhorns in tow, we discuss how this survival city-builder has changed since Early Access and why it's still so satisfying and refreshing to play.

    Three Moves Ahead 602: Patreon Preview: An Interview with Michele Pirovano (dotAGE)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 7:04


    Listen to the first five minutes of our November Patreon episode for free, and then hear the full one hour and 15 minute interview by subscribing at Patreon.com/3MA! Len had a chance to chat this month with Michele Pirovano, the (almost) solo developer of dotAGE, a game we all had a great time with this year. They discuss how board game design has had a positive influence on the world of strategy video games, how it could continue to do so, the struggles of being an indie dev, and why the upcoming genre of roguelike city-builders works so well.

    strategy games war war games strategy games pirovano three moves ahead 3ma
    Three Moves Ahead 600: dotAGE

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 76:47


    100 episodes ago, we declared that video games are over. Did they ever come back? Also, what's this dotAGE game with authentic medieval chiptune music Overwhelmingly Positive user reviews?

    Three Moves Ahead 599: Cities: Skylines 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2023 74:46


    Len and Jon are joined by Sin Vega and Well There's Your Problem's Justin Roczniak (donoteat01) to discuss Cities: Skylines 2. We have some mixed feelings about this much anticipated sequel, and we don't shy away from pointing out what doesn't work while giving a few nods to what is new and cool. If you understand how garbage works in this game, please leave a comment.

    Three Moves Ahead 598: Total War: Pharaoh

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 66:27


    Len and Ian are joined by freelance writer Josh Broadwell to discuss Total War: Pharaoh, the first properly historical Total War in an actual age. We dig into the new campaign mechanics, the feel of the battles, and the scope of the map. Has Creative Assembly Sophia come from behind to take the title of Total War's A-Team?

    Three Moves Ahead 597: Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2023 63:13


    This week, Jon is joined by RPS Editor in Chief Katherine Castle and freelance writer Dominic Tarason to discuss Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew. Mimimi's swan song, as we sadly learned after recording, is a follow-up and an evolution to Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun and Desperados 3, both games that we loved. What makes this one even better? Why is Len using dashes instead of colons to separate the show number from the game title now? I don't know if I like this.

    strategy games war shadow cursed gambit war games shogun desperados mimimi strategy games shadow tactics blades shadow gambit shadow gambit the cursed crew three moves ahead
    Three Moves Ahead 596: Baldur's Gate 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2023 92:51


    Len, Jon, and Ian are joined by Brian "Chef Lu Bu" Smawley to delve into Baldur's Gate 3. We discuss what really makes this a CRPG that can be enthusiastically recommended to tactics fans, what our favorite races, classes, and companions have been, and the ridiculous antics we've gotten up to with Larian's "Yes, and..." engine and quest design. Is this the best version of Dungeons & Dragons you can play on the computer? Give it a listen and roll Insight to find out.

    Three Moves Ahead 595: Aliens: Dark Descent

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2023 87:48


    Rob, Len, and Rowan are in the pipe, five-by-five, to discuss Aliens: Dark Descent. An unconventional squad-based stealth game that brings James Cameron's sci-fi classic to a new (and dare we say better) perspective, we discuss similarities to the likes of Darkest Dungeon and how clever escalation mechanics can dynamically imitate the structure of a horror movie.

    Three Moves Ahead 594: Jagged Alliance 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2023 76:01


    This week, Len is joined by Sin Vega and Dominic Tarason to discuss Jagged Alliance 3, the long-awaited sequel to one of the greatest tactical games of all time. Did they do a good job of recapturing what made the original so memorable? Is this just another XCOM, or is there more to see here?

    Three Moves Ahead 593: Rule the Waves 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2023 71:13


    It's the... Summer of Wargaming? When a game comes along that's even too obscure and spreadsheet-y for our normal panel, we light the Grognard Beacon. And this week, first-timers Wesley Livesay and Benjamin Magnus answered the call. The subject? Rule the Waves 3. If you love mid-90s PC productivity software interfaces and big boats of all shapes and sizes, you're in for a treat. We discuss what makes this crunchy Secretary of the Navy simulator so compelling, and why it's worth overcoming the steep barriers to entry.

    Three Moves Ahead 592: Age of Wonders 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2023 80:24


    Len, Rowan, and Jon step through the portal into Age of Wonders 4, the latest fantasy 4X from Triumph and Paradox. We dig deep into the strategic and tactical pacing and why so much of it hits the spot in a world of ultra marathon strategy campaigns. What is so satisfying about its empire customization and progression? And did we actually manage to make an episode about a game we like that's not 75 percent complaining?

    Three Moves Ahead 591: Darkest Dungeon 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2023 114:33


    Rowan, Len, and Nerium hitch their wagon to Darkest Dungeon 2 and set in for the long haul on this epic-length episode. We discuss some of the ways this sequel is an improvement over one of 3MA's consensus favorite games of all time (that we somehow never did a dedicated episode on), and several ways in which it's not. What kind of parties did we like to roll with? How have things changed since early access? And is there a cooler narrator than Wayne June? By the end, you might even get to hear us have a Meltdown!

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