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Critical Moves - Strategy Gaming

Critical Moves Podcast
Stellaris
Strategy Games
Total War
Real-Time Strategy
Paradox Interactive
Civilization
Civilization VII
Game Development
Victoria 3
RTS Games
Grand Strategy
Beyond All Reason
4X Games
Game Design
Company Of Heroes
World War II
Tempest Rising
Dawn Of War
Steam Next Fest
Indie Games

Critical Moves is a strategy games podcast that takes RTS, 4X, and tactics seriously. Most gaming podcasts don’t even bother with strategy games. We do. Each week we cover real-time strategy, turn-based tactics, 4X empire builders and indie experiments, plus shining a new light on old classics.

These aren't quick reviews or recycled talking points. It’s sharp criticism and honest discussion about ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes104Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Video GamesLeisure

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Artwork for Critical Moves

Latest Episodes

Anyone can now build and release a strategy game, but is that good for the genre? Al is joined by Jack, Adam and Drexy to debate whether free engines, asset packs and crowdfunding are producing the next Manor Lords or just a flood of forgettable rele... more

YouTube

Drexy is joined by Dastactic to talk to Elliot Gibbs of Code Force, the designer and programmer of Distant Worlds. They cover how the series began as a side project, the thinking behind its detailed resource and logistics simulation, and the rocky la... more

YouTube

Al and Drexy talk to Dan, solo developer of Imperium, a spiritual successor to the 1995 cult classic Ascendancy. They cover the game's modular ship design, hybrid real-time/turn-based combat, 21 alien species, a rebuilt diplomacy system, and an hones... more

YouTube

Critical Moves hits episode 100. To mark the milestone, Al is joined by regular co-hosts Drexy and Jack for a big debate on generative AI in game development, plus a special guest: Ben, known to many as Battlemode.

The panel gets into whether AI is... more

YouTube

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Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Elliot Gibbs
Designer and programmer of Distant Worlds
Code Force
Episode: Distant Worlds 2 and Shadows Rising with Elliot Gibbs (Ep.102)
Alejandro Nunez
Creator/developer of The Last General
Independent Developer
Episode: The Last General Dev on Drones, Delays and Doing It All Alone (Ep.98)
Peter Perafilozof
Creator of the YouTube channel Perafilozof
Episode: RTS Games: Is There a Future? With Perafilozof (Ep.74)
Dr. Ben Angell
Game design researcher and writer, prior guest on the show
Independent / Academic
Episode: The Innovation Problem in Strategy Games | Dr. Ben Angell Returns (Ep.73)
Thomas Vandenberg
Creator and original pioneer behind the game Kingdom
Raw Fury
Episode: Thomas van den Berg on Kingdom's Design Philosophy and the Flash Game Era (Ep.56)
Chris McElligott-Park
CEO of Arcen Games
Arcen Games
Episode: Chris McElligott-Park on Game Design, Narrative, and Arcen’s Origins (Ep.42)
Joe Beard
Host of the Example of Play YouTube channel, focused on tutorial videos for strategy games.
Example of Play
Episode: Strategy Games Are Terrible at Teaching You Anything (Ep.37)
Brandon Casteel
Lead Game Designer for Tempest Rising
3D Realms
Episode: Why Tempest Rising Could Be the RTS to Watch in 2025 (Ep. 25)
Dr. Luke Hughes
Main developer of Burden of Command
Game Developer
Episode: Can You Lead? Luke Hughes on the Emotional Weight of Burden of Command (Ep 22)

Hosts

Jack
Host of Critical Moves Podcast. Frequently shares personal opinions about strategy games and hosts discussions.
Drexy
Co-host and frequent contributor, discussed industry topics and guest appearances.
Joe
Co-host and guest from the strategy gaming community, participates in discussions and interviews.
Adam
Host/guest with recurring involvement in episodes, contributor to discussions.
Tim
Co-host contributing to strategy discussions and episodic debates.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 42 ratings
  • Best new pod

    Probably the best video game podcast around. Deserve a bigger audience

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cookbook author 21
    United States9 months ago
  • Enjoy the Strategy chatter

    Thanks for doing these podcasts. I enjoy listening to a podcast with a focus on Strategy games.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SeanM7765
    United States9 months ago
  • Always enjoyable & thoughtful

    Look forward to the episodes whether or not they cover games that I am currently playing. Always enjoyable with thoughtful and intelligent commentary.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Racing Willow
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Great and chill podcast!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    dumbwrench
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Very thoughtful and intelligent commentary on strategy games.
Consistently entertaining and insightful for strategy fans.
Great balance of technical detail and accessible storytelling.
High-quality guests and in-depth design discussions are a hallmark.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Distant Worlds 2 and Shadows Rising with Elliot Gibbs (Ep.102)
Q: Why did you choose to make Distant Worlds a real-time 4X instead of turn-based?
The designer wanted a seamless experience that better mirrors a living, dynamic universe; turns felt artificial, and real-time allowed emergent gameplay within a layered simulation.
The Great Big AI Game Dev Debate Ft. BATTLEMODE (Ep.100)
Q: Is it possible to be successful without embracing AI in game development?
The panelists argue that while some niche studios might survive by avoiding AI, overall industry competitiveness will demand at least some adoption or integration of AI tools to stay current and efficient.
What Even is a Drexy? | The Death of 4X (Ep.96)
Q: What is the best strategy game of all time according to you?
The hosts settle on This and World's Universe as strong contenders, acknowledging that personal taste and historical impact matter, while recognizing Civ's outsized influence in the genre.
What Even is a Drexy? | The Death of 4X (Ep.96)
Q: Which game did you look forward to but end up disappointed by?
They discuss Sword of the Stars and the problematic launch experience under Paradox/Kerberos, using it as a cautionary tale about development overreach and publisher timelines, and reflect on how this shapes perceptions of risk in the industry.
What Even is a Drexy? | The Death of 4X (Ep.96)
Q: Where should new players start if they're curious about strategy games?
Drexy recommends Civ as a gateway for 4X familiarity but also suggests approachable titles like Crusader Kings 2 with guided play or short-form 4X experiences like Astral Protocol to ease new players in.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Critical Moves

What is Critical Moves about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Critical Moves regularly explores strategy games with a focus on design, mechanics, and thoughtful critique. Episodes balance developer interviews, industry context, and deep dives into RTS, 4X, and tactics, often featuring guests from indie studios and longstanding strategy communities. The show stands out for its willingness to argue tough points, connect design choices to player experience, and spotlight sustainability and modding as a core part of strategy gaming. Listeners are likely players who value systems, long-term strategy, and nuanced discussion beyond quick reviews, with a tendency to engage with indie development stories and community-driven content.

Potential listeners can expect rigorous conversations about game design, eng... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Critical Moves?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Critical Moves:

1. Single Malt Strategy
2. Three Moves Ahead
3. Meta Abuse
4. The Ancients
5. Empire: World History

How many episodes of Critical Moves are there?

Critical Moves launched 2 years ago and published 104 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Critical Moves?

Recent guests on Critical Moves include:

1. Elliot Gibbs
2. Alejandro Nunez
3. Peter Perafilozof
4. Dr. Ben Angell
5. Thomas Vandenberg
6. Chris McElligott-Park
7. Joe Beard
8. Brandon Casteel

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