Al is one of the co-founders of Critical Moves Podcast alongside Nuno and has been playing videogames since the days of floppy discs. He remembers the dark times before the internet, when multiplayer meant hot-seating around the same screen, and game guides came in the form of thick manuals or tips from friends at school. His first strategy games were classic in the genre – and he's not smug about it at all. These introduced young Al to the concepts of strategy, resource management, and tactical warfare, sparking a lifelong love for complex decision-making and large-scale battles in the gaming world.

Now, more years later than he cares to acknowledge, Al is the driving force behind Critical Moves. He handles every aspect of production: scheduling across multiple time zones, editing every episode, creating artwork, writing show notes, managing the website, running social media accounts, and community management. He appears on more episodes than anyone else because without Al doing the unglamorous work nobody sees, the podcast simply wouldn't function. Critical Moves came about after linking with Nuno and discovering a kindred spirit; someone equally at home geeking out about strategy games.

Al also operates several gaming websites including 40kgames.com, SanctuaryShatteredSun.net, GrimdarkFuture.tv, DawnofWarIV.com, and SWZeroCompany.com, because apparently one project wasn't enough of a headache. His elaborate gaming strategies possess the structural integrity of houses of cards in hurricanes – he watches them collapse spectacularly, learns absolutely nothing from the experience, then immediately begins crafting the next masterpiece of tactical incompetence while muttering that this time will definitely be different.

When not conquering virtual worlds, writing about conquering virtual worlds, or building websites, Al enjoys science fiction, binge-watching TV series, reading a mix of fiction and history books, and has been promising to get out running again for several months. He's a full-time father of three boys who possess energy levels that defy physics, works a full-time job in the public sector, and still manages to squeeze in time for the odd cinema visit or trip to the pub.

He's sarcastic, a bit grumpy, and maybe thinks he's funnier than he actually is. Despite claiming exhaustion levels that would concern medical professionals, he somehow manages all the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Critical Moves running while still having enough energy to keep pushing buttons—both in games and in life.

Nuno co-founded Critical Moves after twenty-five years of strategy gaming that started when Age of Empires II first loaded on his Pentium 4 back in 1999. That early exposure led to Medal of Honor: Allied Assault in 2002, which cracked open his fascination with the historical events behind the games. He became obsessed, consuming every World War II book, magazine, and library resource he could find. That obsession persists today and drives much of his gaming perspective.

Broadcasting from Porto, Portugal (which he insists is not a Spanish province, despite what confused tourists might think), Nuno appreciates the cold mornings and misty nights that create perfect conditions for house-dwelling wargamers and book-consuming historians. Between Critical Moves and running his Strategy and Wargaming website at strategyandwargaming.com, he works as a communications manager for a major retailer. This funds his mechanical keyboard collection, endless history books, bodybuilding pursuits, more history books, and his cat Oli, who may actually run the entire operation.

Nuno brings energy and historical context to Critical Moves discussions, often getting lost in thought about historical battles whether virtual or real. His enthusiasm for both strategy games and World War II history provides depth to episodes covering historical titles and tactical analysis. He balances research-heavy preparation with genuine curiosity about game mechanics and design decisions.

When not recording podcasts or writing about strategy games, Nuno splits time between perfecting his squat technique and adding to his already substantial library of military history. His approach to gaming combines tactical thinking with historical knowledge, making him equally likely to critique a game's historical accuracy as its strategic depth. He serves as the optimistic counterweight to his grumpy co-host's sarcasm, though both share an appreciation for games that respect their intelligence.

Joe teaches psychology at university level and holds a PhD in Educational Leadership, bringing academic perspective to Critical Moves that goes beyond typical gaming commentary. His background in human behaviour and cognition shapes how he analyses strategy games, focusing on why certain mechanics work and others fail. With nearly three decades of strategy gaming experience spanning both real-time and turn-based titles, he combines theoretical knowledge with practical understanding of what makes games engaging.

As one of Critical Moves' early hosts, Joe approaches game analysis through psychological frameworks that examine player motivation and decision-making processes. He dissects game design choices with the same methodical approach he applies to academic research, often revealing underlying systems that other reviewers miss. His explanations cut through surface-level observations to examine the cognitive processes that drive strategic thinking.

Joe balances his academic career, family responsibilities, and gaming pursuits without the frantic energy that characterizes many content creators. His measured approach to discussion provides counterpoint to more reactive hosts, offering research-backed insights when conversations veer toward speculation. He treats game mechanics as behavioural experiments, analysing how designers manipulate player psychology through reward structures, information asymmetry, and decision timing.

His academic training shows most clearly when breaking down complex systems into digestible components, explaining why certain strategies feel satisfying while others create frustration. Joe connects gaming psychology to broader behavioural patterns, making Critical Moves discussions more substantive than typical game reviews. His contributions demonstrate that strategy games function as sophisticated psychological experiments, rewarding players who understand both the mechanical and mental aspects of competition.

Timothy joined Critical Moves early and brings strong opinions backed by deep knowledge of strategy gaming systems. He doesn't hesitate to challenge prevailing wisdom about game design or player preferences, making discussions more contentious and informative. His background spans detailed simulations to turn-based epics, but real-time strategy remains his primary focus and area of expertise.

Beyond playing strategy games, Timothy works on the design team for Beyond All Reason, an open-source RTS project that gives him practical insight into development challenges. His involvement in game creation provides perspective on the gap between player expectations and development realities. He approaches games as both consumer and creator, analysing what makes systems engaging while understanding the constraints developers face.

Timothy's gaming interests extend beyond digital platforms to include board games and strategy-focused reading. This broader engagement with strategic thinking informs his podcast contributions, allowing him to draw parallels between different gaming mediums and identify recurring design patterns. His analytical approach treats games as systems to be understood rather than simply experienced.

Having backpacked across multiple continents before settling in Stockholm, Sweden, Timothy brings international perspective to gaming discussions that often focus heavily on Western markets. His travel experience provides context for different gaming cultures and preferences, adding depth to conversations about global strategy gaming trends. At 35, he combines youthful enthusiasm with enough experience to recognize patterns in gaming evolution and industry cycles.

Follicly challenged Adam might be a cyborg given how much of his life revolves around work. His relaxation method involves more work, with the occasional additional work thrown in for good measure. When he's not buried in cloud infrastructure and international clients, he plays strategy games. He focuses on 4X titles and niche indie projects, but also enjoys JRPGs - the weirder the better. He insists Heroes of Might and Magic is Poland's national sport and still remembers his first PC game, Gruntz.

Adam originally contacted Al begging for someone to discuss strategy games with because his wife had grown tired of hearing about it. Al, in his clearly finite wisdom, took pity on him and invited him to the team. He studied abroad, speaks fluent English with an accent his co-hosts frequently mock, and runs a company handling infrastructure and optimization. He knows production from the technical side and has strong opinions about running things, both in games and behind the scenes.

On the podcast, Adam critiques without sugar-coating. He admits when he fails as a host, has strict rules about what belongs on mini-maps after Beyond All Reason opponents kept drawing dicks on them, and insists his jokes are funny regardless of audience response. He likes every game—even broken ones—and secretly wishes the others would let him discuss obscure titles nobody has heard of. His board game collection is extensive, but listeners must trust him since the show isn't on video.

Adam is bald by genetics, not choice, and would grow hair if possible. He's a superlative folk dancer and holds irrational dislike for Copenhagen. Despite abuse from his co-hosts, he enjoys recording with them—probably because he thinks he's the smartest one on the show.

Jack joined Critical Moves most recently but brings business media experience and philosophical perspective that complements the team's gaming expertise. His background in media business informs his approach to analyzing games as both products and artistic expressions. He asks questions about player motivation and design philosophy that others might skip, often steering conversations toward broader industry implications.

While newer to strategy gaming compared to other hosts, Jack compensates by exploring classic titles and approaching them with fresh perspective unburdened by nostalgia. His relative inexperience becomes an advantage when examining why certain design decisions persist across decades or why some mechanics feel outdated to modern players. He represents the informed newcomer viewpoint that many listeners share.

Beyond Critical Moves, Jack works full-time while managing multiple video game and media projects. His experience as a video game soundtrack composer provides insight into the creative process behind game development, particularly how audio design supports strategic gameplay. Working with international development teams gives him perspective on global gaming markets and development practices.

Based in the United States, Jack gravitates toward city-building and space-based strategy games, often prioritizing narrative coherence and player reception over mechanical complexity. He examines games through the lens of storytelling and community response rather than pure statistical analysis. His questions focus on why developers make specific design choices and how those decisions affect player engagement, bringing business perspective to creative discussions.