When we lose to AI, it's always HAX / Cheats :P

designer notes

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 632 - We Played Europa Universalis 5! (No CB Megacast 11 Preview)

In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game designer Caroline Marchal, best known for her work on Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls, and As Dusk Falls. They discuss how much a narrative game should acknowledge that it is a game, if a 50/50 player split for a binary choice is desirable, and whether you are in the shower or under the shower. This episode was recorded on September 6, 2024.

Games discussed: Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls, As Dusk Fall, Old World, the Sorcery! series

Designer Notes 88: Caroline Marchal - Part 2

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 633 - Even More EU5

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.

Three Moves Ahead 634 - 9 Kings

In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game designer Patrice Desilets, best known for his work on Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the Assassin’s Creed series, and Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. They discuss being hired as the first developer at Ubisoft Montreal, the similarities between improv theater and game design, and why he wants to remove UI from his games. This episode was recorded on April 15, 2025.

Games discussed: Lode Runner, Choplifter, Metroid, Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart, Hype: The Time Quest, Chrono Trigger, Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Rainbow Six, the Civilization series, Prince of Persia, Knockout Kings, Assassin’s Creed

Designer Notes 89: Patrice Desilets - Part 1

Len, Mike Williams, and Dominic Tarason run down the most exciting and interesting strategy and tactics games (and a couple from outside our usual wheelhouse) of Steam Next Fest 2025. From squat mechs to Italian vampires, there's a little something for everyone.

Three Moves Ahead 635 - The Strategy Games of Steam Next Fest 2025

In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game designer Patrice Desilets, best known for his work on Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the Assassin’s Creed series, and Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. They discuss why they couldn’t put rewind into Assassin’s Creed, the problem with designing for a meeting, and why he needed to have players beat up the pope. This episode was recorded on April 15, 2025.

Games discussed: Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the Civilization series, Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, 1666 Amsterdam, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

Designer Notes 90: Patrice Desilets - Part 2

Aftermath's Riley MacLeod has developed a sudden interest in the American Civil War, and we've assembled a 3MA all-star team featuring Rob Zacny, Rowan Kaiser, Len Hafer, and Luke Plunkett to walk him through this difficult and confusing time. We use Ultimate General: Civil War as a launching pad to discuss the conflict itself, the games based on it, as well as the tricky elements of adapting it for an entertainment product through the wonder-filled eyes of a strategy newbie.

Inspired by the article, "Bad News, I’m A 43-Year-Old Man And I’ve Recently Taken An Interest In The Civil War," https://aftermath.site/civil-war-middle-age

Games Discussed: Ultimate General: Civil War, Hearts of Iron IV, Panzer Corps, Panzer General, Panzer General 2, Grand Tactician: The Civil War, Total War: Napoleon

Three Moves Ahead 636 - Civil War Midlife Crisis

With Stormgate leaving Early Access alongside the release of its first full single-player campaign, Ashes of Earth, Len chatted with Frost Giant's Top Tims, Tim Morten and Tim Campbell, about what has changed in the last year and what this new chapter means for the RTS.

Check out this wild custom map made without triggers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSjGR4HGuiU

Three Moves Ahead 637 - Stormgate: Ashes of Earth Interview

Timberborn is one of those Early Access games that we missed covering at its original launch, and we're not sure when it's going to be actually done... so what better time to talk about it than now, honestly? Len, Ian, Mike, and Sin sink their oversized incisors into the beaver city builder to discuss its ecological themes, potential for hydrological urbanism, and where it's at in its development journey.

Three Moves Ahead 638 - Bobr

In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews legendary game designer Sid Meier, best known for designing Pirates!, Railroad Tycoon, and Civilization. They discuss using the Ayatollah Khomeini as an enemy, how Strike Eagle differentiated itself from Flight Simulator, and why the torpedo doesn’t go where the player aims it in Silent Spring.

Games discussed: Pong, Floyd of the Jungle, Strike Eagle, Silent Service, Seven Cities of Gold, Pirates!

Designer Notes 23: Sid Meier - Part 1

In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews legendary game designer Sid Meier, best known for designing Pirates!, Railroad Tycoon, and Civilization. They discuss how Sid’s stealth fighter was more interesting than the real one, whether XCOM violates the Covert Action rule, and when the world was ready for hexes.

Games discussed: Covert Action, Railroad Tycoon, SimCity, F-19 Stealth Fighter, Civilization, Empire

Designer Notes 24: Sid Meier - Part 2

In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews legendary game designer Sid Meier, best known for designing Pirates!, Railroad Tycoon, and Civilization. They discuss why dinosaurs need to have ranged attacks, how deals go down on the SimGolf course, and if Civ games have an ideal length.

Games discussed: CPU Bach, Magic: The Gathering, Hearthstone, Gettysburg, Dinosaurs, SimGolf, Pirates!, Railroads!, Civilization Revolution

Designer Notes 25: Sid Meier - Part 3

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Designer Notes 23: Sid Meier - Part 1

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