3MA is finally embracing AI! Okay, not really. But @len.bsky.social and @jonbolds.bsky.social do have many thoughts about Heart of the Machine, a fascinating, story-driven strategy RPG about becoming the world's first sentient computer.
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
We're launching a new regular show on the Patreon feed this month featuring @len.bsky.social and @dmschmeyer.bsky.social discussing 30 years of nerding out and what they're currently into and up to. The first episode is available in full for $0 just for signing up as a free member of our Patreon!
This week, @len.bsky.social and @jonbolds.bsky.social get tactical with some turn-based space marine (in the traditional sense) bug and terminator-hunting in Menace.
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
This week, @rowan.monster and @lukeplunkett.com contemplate the innate class stuggle embedded in feline-rodent relations with the delightful Early Access city builder Whiskerwood:
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
This week, @len.bsky.social and @cheflubu.bsky.social were joined by our new friend Diana to take a look forward at the strategy games with announced or probable release dates in 2026! In particular, we dig into whether or not 40K Total War is even a good idea
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
It's over! 2025, that is. Join @len.bsky.social, @mhwilliams.bsky.social, and @lukeplunkett.com to recap the year in strategy games and shout out our favorites for the year in the rear-view. A lot of disappointment, but a lot of bright spots too!
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
This week, @len.bsky.social @mhwilliams.bsky.social, and @neriumstrom.bsky.social kick back to catch up with some of the most interesting games of 2025 that didn't fit into a full episode, including a whole bunch of expansions and DLC.
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
Last chance to sign up for the @3ma.bsky.social Patreon for 30% off your first month on our discord access tiers! We put out 3-4 hours of bonus shows a month that you'll also get access to, and you can preview five of the best ones for $1. This will help me out a lot this winter. RTs appreciated!
We had a fantastic panel this week as, @len.bsky.social and @jonbolds.bsky.social are joined by special guests @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social and @thedaynaeileen.bsky.social to build Rome in a day in Anno 117: Pax Romana
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
I enjoy this podcast, even when I don't understand it.
3MA Game Club: Pentiment feat. Rosencreutz 3MA Game Club: Assassin's Creed feat. Bret Devereaux No CB Megacast: EU5 Confirmed?? No CB Megacast 2: Going the Distance No CB Megacast 14: The Johan Interview
We've also, for the first time, made five of our best Patron-only episodes available just for signing up as a free member, including our 2.5-hour interview with Johan Anderson so you can get an idea of what to expect at the $5 tier.
Intimidated by EU5? We're offering a 30% off discount on your first month of the 3MA Patreon at the Discord Access tier and above, where @len.bsky.social can be your personal part-time tutor. Plus you'll get to hang out with our community of strategy experts!
Patreon.com/3MA
Code: LEARNEU5
And if you can't get enough, we have 2.5 additional hours of launch thoughts and meditations for our Patreon backers:
www.patreon.com/posts/no-cb-...
It's finally here! @len.bsky.social, @rowan.monster, and @jonbolds.bsky.social set sail into Europa Universalis 5 to answer burning questions like, "Is it actually good?" and, "Is it even possible to evaluate it that straightforwardly at all at this point?"
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
This week, @len.bsky.social and @mhwilliams.bsky.social are joined by Ruth Cassidy and Sin Vega to discuss Endless Legend 2's Early Access launch and a bunch of other stuff we've been playing in this chill variety chat.
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
Endless Legend 2 is on deck, so stay tuned for that one!
This week, @len.bsky.social, @ianboudreau.com, and Fraser discuss the Past and Future of Dawn of War, in the forms of Dawn of War: Definitive Edition, which holds up shockingly well for such a venerable RTS, and Dawn of War 4, which we got to play a demo of!
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
Subscribe to our friends at Aftermath.site!
This week, @mhwilliams.bsky.social, @ianboudreau.com, Sin Vega, and @len.bsky.social sink their oversized incisors into Timberborn, an Early Access city-builder we missed covering at its launch, and we're not sure when it's going to be done... so what better time to talk about it than now? #bobr
This week, @len.bsky.social got to chat with Frost Giant's Tim Morten and Tim Campbell about their careers working on RTS, Stormgate leaving early access, and the Ashes of Earth campaign.
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
This week, @rcmacleod.bsky.social comes to be tutored in the ways of Civil War strategy games by @robzacny.bsky.social, @rowan.monster, and @lukeplunkett.com.
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
New for $5+ Patrons: We got to talk for 2.5 hours with Paradox's Johan Andersson about Europa Universalis 5, "crunch" culture, difficulty in strategy games, and more!
www.patreon.com/posts/no-cb-...
You can find them on the episode page right below the description:
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
We could start putting them in the show notes for other platforms as well, though.
This week, @len.bsky.social, @mhwilliams.bsky.social, and @dominictarason.com run down the most exciting and notable strategy and tactics games from Steam Next Fest 2025 (and a couple that are outside our usual wheelhouse).
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
This week, @len.bsky.social, @lukeplunkett.com, @mhwilliams.bsky.social, and @jonbolds.bsky.social roll out the royal red carpet for 9 Kings, a tile-placement strategy roguelite that's... kind of hard to describe, honestly.
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
It's even more EU5, this time on 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 and argue about whether or not Greenland is a good starter nation.
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
Europa Universalis 5 is real! And we played it!
40-minute free preview: www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...
2.5-hour megacast for Patrons: www.patreon.com/posts/128479...
And there is more to come!
New for $5+ Patrons: NoCB Megacast 10: "Antici-"
Two more hours of dissecting dev diaries for the top secret Paradox game "Project Caesar" that *some have speculated* is Europa Universalis 5.
www.patreon.com/posts/no-cb-...
Last chance to get it for 20% off 1st month with code 37E8A at sign up!
Whoops, forgot to include this in the show notes!
Get 20% off your first month at Patreon.com/3MA with code: 37E8A
This week, @len.bsky.social was joined by @caseyexplosion.bsky.social to discuss Cataclismo, a horde survival RTS with a unique, LEGO-like base-building mechanic.
www.idlethumbs.net/3ma/episodes...