Idle Thumbs is an independent podcast network whose podcasts span comedy, pop culture and entertainment, video games, and TV.
…
continue reading
Why do we make games? Every designer has a different and very personal answer to that question. Soren Johnson, founder of Mohawk Games, sits down with noted designers to find out by examining their careers as a whole.
…
continue reading
Gaming
…
continue reading
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.
…
continue reading
Dota Today is a regular discussion between a pair of video game developers about their observations, escapades and experiences playing Dota 2, a MOBA developed by Valve.
…
continue reading
In 2012 Idle Thumbs ran a Kickstarter campaign, not just to bring back the Idle Thumbs podcast, but to try and turn Idle Thumbs into a small podcast network, with a studio, a new website, and the ability to exist for years to come. We documented that time in this podcast.
…
continue reading
Kick off the weekend as Danielle Riendeau and Rob Zacny bring their unique perspectives to video games and pop culture.
…
continue reading
Through both audio AND video episodes, the hosts of WASD dive into the most bizarre, original and innovative releases of the indie game scene. See also: WASD Podcast: ZOMBIE MINECRAFT SHOOTER SURVIVAL PORNO MAHJONG.
…
continue reading
Steve Gaynor of The Fullbright Company sits down with noteworthy video game developers for an in-depth conversation about their career and creative process, and the tricky work of establishing and maintaining a cohesive tone in their games.
…
continue reading
Join us as we revisit David Lynch and Mark Frost's unsettling murder mystery serial, Twin Peaks. Each week we'll watch and discuss one episode—send questions and comments on the current episode to twinpeaks@idlethumbs.net to be part of the conversation!
…
continue reading
Three friends try and figure everything out. Join Chris, Jake, and Nick as they delve into the weirdness of life, pop culture, and technology—and do their best to explain it as absurdly as they can. Write in to questions@importantiftrue.com with your own questions and observations.
…
continue reading
Something True brings you incredible and bizarre true stories from the footnotes of history. A dog in the United States Cabinet? A leading rocket scientist who quit his job to make a moonchild? Virginia Woolf donning blackface to prank a navy? They're all true. They're all Something True.
…
continue reading
Season 2 of Every Game in This City is a podcast about eight game designers, researchers, and curators who met up in China to try and watch every match of the International Dota 2 Championships in Shanghai.
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 611 - Going the Distance (EU5 Megacast 2 Preview)
37:08
37:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:08
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…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 611: Going the Distance (EU5 Megacast 2 Preview)
37:09
37:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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…
…
continue reading
1
Designer Notes 81: Jake Solomon - Part 2
3:13:37
3:13:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
3:13:37
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jake Solomon, best known for the XCOM reboot and Midnight Suns. They discuss his first, failed attempt at XCOM, why 75% does not mean 75%, and how many copies of XCOM he sold at Power Gamer in Glen Burnie, MD. This episode was recorded on April 26, 2023.…
…
continue reading
1
Designer Notes 81: Jake Solomon - Part 2
3:13:36
3:13:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
3:13:36
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jake Solomon, best known for the XCOM reboot and Midnight Suns. They discuss his first, failed attempt at XCOM, why 75% does not mean 75%, and how many copies of XCOM he sold at Power Gamer in Glen Burnie, MD. This episode was recorded on April 26, 2023.Games discussed: Civilization Revolutio…
…
continue reading
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 w…
…
continue reading
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 w…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 609: Europa Universalis 5 Confirmed?! (Patreon Preview)
29:48
29:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 b…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 609 - Europa Universalis 5 Confirmed?! (Patreon Preview)
29:48
29:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 b…
…
continue reading
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.By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
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.By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 607: The Strategy Games of Steam Next Fest 2024
1:13:32
1:13:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:13:32
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?By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 607 - The Strategy Games of Steam Next Fest 2024
1:13:32
1:13:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:13:32
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?By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 606: 2024 Look Ahead
1:18:32
1:18:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:18:32
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.By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 606 - 2024 Look Ahead
1:18:31
1:18:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:18:31
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.By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 605: Warhammer 40,000 Tabletop
1:24:30
1:24:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:30
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 o…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 605 - Warhammer 40,000 Tabletop
1:24:30
1:24:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:30
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 o…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 604: Mega-Sized 2023 Recap!
2:14:04
2:14:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:14:04
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 en…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 604 - Mega-Sized 2023 Recap!
2:14:03
2:14:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:14:03
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 en…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 603: Against the Storm 1.0
1:25:49
1:25:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:25:49
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.By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 603 - Against the Storm 1.0
1:25:49
1:25:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:25:49
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.By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
1
Designer Notes 80: Jake Solomon - Part 1
2:42:26
2:42:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:42:26
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jake Solomon, best known for the XCOM reboot and Midnight Suns. They discuss how much money he had to give back to Accenture, how to animate multiple units at the same time, and why Sid suddenly started golfing so much. This episode was recorded on April 25, 2023.…
…
continue reading
1
Designer Notes 80: Jake Solomon - Part 1
2:42:26
2:42:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:42:26
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jake Solomon, best known for the XCOM reboot and Midnight Suns. They discuss how much money he had to give back to Accenture, how to animate multiple units at the same time, and why Sid suddenly started golfing so much. This episode was recorded on April 25, 2023.Games discussed: Sopwith, Sil…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 602: Patreon Preview: An Interview with Michele Pirovano (dotAGE)
7:04
7:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 h…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead Patreon Preview: An Interview with Michele Pirovano (dotAGE)
7:03
7:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:03
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 h…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 601 - Victoria 3: One Year Later
1:23:15
1:23:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:23:15
Len is joined by Dr. Bret Devereaux and Chapel Comic creator Father Lorris to take a look at Victoria 3 one year later. Is this a game that deserves to stand beside Paradox's best yet? And if not, what's it still missing? We play armchair game dev for an hour and a half and unpack the difficulty of modeling both the beginning and the end of one of …
…
continue reading
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?By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
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?By Idle Thumbs
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 599: Cities: Skylines 2
1:14:46
1:14:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:14:46
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, pl…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 599 - Cities: Skylines 2
1:14:46
1:14:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:14:46
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, pl…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 598: Total War: Pharaoh
1:06:27
1:06:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:27
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?…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 598 - Total War: Pharaoh
1:06:27
1:06:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:27
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?…
…
continue reading
1
Designer Notes 79: Trent Kusters - Part 2
2:21:37
2:21:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:21:37
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Trent Kusters, co-founder of League of Geeks, best known for the strategy game Armello. They discuss why Armello has so much output randomness, whether they fudge the odds, and how to turn off a Game-as-a- Service. This episode was recorded on September 8, 2023.…
…
continue reading
1
Designer Notes 79: Trent Kusters - Part 2
2:21:37
2:21:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:21:37
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Trent Kusters, co-founder of League of Geeks, best known for the strategy game Armello. They discuss why Armello has so much output randomness, whether they fudge the odds, and how to turn off a Game-as-a- Service. This episode was recorded on September 8, 2023.Games discussed: Armello, Magic…
…
continue reading
1
Three Moves Ahead 597: Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
1:03:13
1:03:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:13
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?…
…
continue reading