The Critical Moves team delivers their first internal retrospective, examining their breakthrough year through favourite guest interviews, debating whether they qualify as journalists, and confronting the misleading “gaming industry in decline” narrative while explaining why their independence from publishers enables brutal honesty about strategy games.
https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen
This episode provides unfiltered team reflections on Critical Moves’ first full year, where Jack and Adam discuss how joining the podcast became career highlights while Al confronts the stress of managing a multinational volunteer team. The hosts dissect the false narrative that gaming is declining—revealing how big publishers struggle while indie developers thrive—and share favourite interview moments from guests like Luke Hughes, Brandon Castile, and Thomas Vandenberg. The conversation explores why their independence from publishers allows honest criticism without consequences, recalls the Brazilian Batman incident where a criticized developer joined their Discord, and issues direct appeals for community engagement while setting ambitious 2026 goals including dream interviews with Chris Taylor and industry composers.
Critical Moves Podcast – Episode 62 Show Notes
Episode Title: Critical Moves 2025 Retrospective: Independence, Growth, and Industry Truths
Hosts: Jack, Adam, Al
Episode Length: ~62 minutes
Episode Summary
The sixty-second episode marks Critical Moves’ first internal retrospective, examining their evolution from uncertain beginnings to conducting interviews with developers from across strategy gaming’s indie landscape. Jack credits the podcast for career opportunities and industry connections he only dreamed of making, Adam places joining Critical Moves above getting married in his personal achievements ranking, and Al confronts the isolation and stress of managing six volunteers across multiple time zones while maintaining weekly episode consistency. The discussion dismantles mainstream media’s “gaming industry in decline” narrative, celebrates favourite guest interviews, debates their journalistic credentials, and explains why publisher independence enables the brutal honesty distinguishing their coverage from legacy outlets. The team issues direct appeals for community engagement while revealing dream interview targets and ambitious 2026 expansion plans.
Introduction and Team Updates
Personal Milestones and Professional Growth
Jack opens by declaring 2025 his best professional year, crediting Critical Moves with industry access he never anticipated. The podcast enabled internship opportunities in games journalism, meetings with developers whose games consumed hundreds of his playing hours, and professional project success beyond expectations. Adam follows by ranking his year’s achievements—joining Critical Moves first, getting married second—before noting his continued health rounds out 2025’s highlights.
Al acknowledges arriving in terrible mood despite “new year, new me” aspirations, setting the tone for the episode’s unflinching honesty about podcast production realities. The self-described “unapologetically most critical moves episode” promises team-focused examination of progress, guest reflections, and future planning without usual subject matter constraints.
Unexpected Impact and Reach
The hosts express surprise at Critical Moves’ growth trajectory. What began with uncertainty about attracting even ten listeners evolved into 1,500 monthly listeners, nearly half a million YouTube views across the year, and developer-initiated interview requests including Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition expansion pack creators. This reach exceeded all initial expectations for a podcast launched without industry connections, promotional budgets, or professional journalism backgrounds.
Al emphasizes the surreal experience of developers taking their criticism seriously—including controversial honesty about Brazilian Batman’s New World Order prompting the developer to join their Discord with appreciative feedback. The validation from both audiences and industry participants confirms Critical Moves fills a genuine void in strategy gaming coverage.
The Gaming Industry Decline Narrative
False Narratives From Limited Perspectives
Adam raises the pervasive media narrative claiming gaming industry decline, questioning how Jack’s professional success aligns with reported sector struggles. Jack immediately corrects the framing—the industry isn’t declining, major publishers are struggling while indie development thrives. The distinction matters because mainstream coverage fixates on EA, Ubisoft, Microsoft, and Sony layoffs while ignoring flourishing small studio ecosystem.
The analogy to retail clarifies the dynamic: big-box publishers resemble supermarket chains facing difficulties while family-owned indie studios—the brick-and-mortar shops and local bakeries—consistently recruit, release acclaimed games, and dominate awards categories. Game Awards nominations increasingly feature indie titles in multiplayer, debut, and innovation categories, with Summer Game Fest 2025 theming entirely around indie gaming recognition.
Indie Sustainability and Market Reality
Jack explains his market segment—indie studios with 6-30 person teams producing double-A and single-A games—provides consistent employment without cutthroat competition. These developers create passionate projects achieving commercial viability through dedicated niche audiences rather than mainstream blockbuster sales. Strategy gaming exemplifies this model, where specialized titles serve committed players willing to support quality development.
Adam observes modern indie studios can succeed with 100,000 sales—enough for profitability and sustained operations when targeting specific genres. RTS enthusiasts, grand strategy players, and other strategy gaming subgenres provide reliable audiences making focused development commercially viable. This contrasts sharply with AAA expectations requiring millions of sales to justify development costs.
Big Publisher Restructuring
The conversation examines CD Projekt Red’s strategic changes as representative of broader industry shifts. The studio opened US locations for Cyberpunk support while developing Witcher sequels and remakes, but transitioned to Unreal Engine to reduce engine maintenance costs and permanent technical staff. Major publishers increasingly favour permanent positions over decades-long patterns of hiring contractors for 3-6 month periods then executing mass layoffs.
This restructuring explains recent AAA quality problems—contractor churn prevents institutional knowledge retention and consistent vision execution. The “slimming down” and “cutting fat” reflects attempts to stabilize operations rather than industry-wide decline. Publishers struggle adapting to market evolution, not facing existential threats.
Why Strategy Gaming Headlines Mislead Audiences
Invisible Success Stories
Al identifies fundamental media blindness to strategy gaming’s health. Mainstream outlets recognize only household names—Activision, Ubisoft, EA, Square Enix—missing indie success stories entirely. Recent headlines about Square Enix replacing quality assurance with AI exemplify sensationalized coverage focusing on corporate dysfunction while ignoring thriving development ecosystems.
The gaming industry generates approximately four times movie box office revenue, yet legacy media treats it as niche entertainment rather than dominant cultural force. This disconnect means positive indie stories never reach mainstream awareness—only AAA disasters make headlines through hundreds of layoffs and studio closures generating clicks.
Stable Audiences Misunderstood as Decline
The strategy gaming audience never disappeared or shrunk—it remains consistent while other genres like first-person shooters and action-adventures captured larger market shares. Comparatively smaller doesn’t mean declining. The original Red Alert players from 1996 now possess more disposable income and time for strategy gaming than during their youth, creating financially reliable audiences for developers understanding their market.
Al emphasizes this demographic consistency: veterans remembering strategy gaming’s “golden age” maintain purchasing power and enthusiasm for well-crafted titles. The podcast itself proves this—examining their guest interviews and audience engagement reveals substantial community supporting quality strategy development without mainstream recognition.
Genre Diversity Expanding Markets
Adam highlights cozy city builders introducing younger players to strategy gaming through accessible mobile and indie titles. These games teach strategic thinking through simplified mechanics, potentially converting casual players into hardcore strategy enthusiasts over time. The genre’s breadth—from cozy builders to hardcore grand strategy—means total strategy gaming audiences likely match or exceed historical peaks despite individual subgenre contraction.
The conversation notes franchise revivals: Heroes of Might and Magic seeing renewed activity after 20-year gaps, Majesty returning, RTS releases accelerating beyond two decades of dormancy. These revivals wouldn’t occur without commercial justification—publishers and indie studios recognize viable audiences supporting strategy gaming’s diverse subgenres.
Favourite Guest Interviews from 2024-2025
Luke Hughes – Burden of Command
Al identifies the Luke Hughes interview as transformative for establishing Critical Moves’ interview capabilities. As the first developer conversation conducted with Nuno, the episode proved they could ask relevant questions, maintain engaging discussions, and extract valuable insights despite lacking professional journalism training. Hughes’ consistent “great question” responses validated their approach and built confidence for subsequent interviews.
The interview’s significance extended beyond proving competence—it demonstrated developers’ willingness to engage deeply with passionate amateur interviewers genuinely interested in their work. Hughes’ openness discussing Burden of Command’s psychological warfare mechanics and narrative design established the conversational, respectful tone characterizing subsequent Critical Moves interviews.
Brandon Castile – Tempest Rising
The Brandon Castile interview showcased Critical Moves’ evolving sophistication. Al and Tim deliberately avoided mentioning Command & Conquer despite Tempest Rising’s obvious DNA sharing—recognizing Castile fielded that comparison in every prior interview. This strategic omission allowed exploring other aspects until Castile himself raised Command & Conquer, creating more authentic discussion than rehashing standard talking points.
The interview demonstrated how preparation and understanding guests’ media fatigue enables differentiated coverage. Rather than recycling questions asked elsewhere, Critical Moves pursued angles providing fresh perspectives for both audiences and developers. This approach earned genuine appreciation from interviewees tired of formulaic questioning.
Thomas Vandenberg – Kingdom Series
Adam and Jack’s Thomas Vandenberg interview combined professional inquiry with personable rapport. Jack pursued design philosophy questions exploring Kingdom’s minimalist mechanics and evolutionary development, while Adam saved the conversation with casual discussion about flash game development and airline gaming experiences. The balance between serious analysis and relaxed conversation created engaging content reflecting both hosts’ strengths.
The interview proved particularly meaningful for Jack given Vandenberg’s influence on his game design perspectives. Providing platforms for team members to engage their personal inspirations reinforces Critical Moves’ collaborative nature—different hosts bring different passions and knowledge enabling diverse coverage across strategy gaming’s breadth.
Matt from Fungal Front and Others
Al praises every interview subject’s generosity and professionalism, specifically calling out Matt from Fungo Front as exemplifying indie developer accessibility. The recurring theme across all interviews—developers’ genuine enthusiasm sharing their work and patient explanations of complex systems—validates Critical Moves’ respectful, curious approach rather than adversarial questioning or superficial coverage.
Plans to revisit previous guests for development updates acknowledges Critical Moves’ role providing ongoing platforms for indie developers lacking AAA marketing budgets. These follow-up opportunities benefit both parties—developers maintain audience awareness while Critical Moves delivers continued coverage of compelling projects.
Dream Interviews and Future Guests
Jack’s Composer Focus
Jack identifies strategy game composers as priority interview targets, naming Jeff Van Dyck (Total War series) as particularly desirable given his approachability on other podcasts and extensive repertoire. The broader goal involves featuring composers from indie strategy titles discussed in previous episodes—including those mentioned by Chris McElligott Park during his Art and Games studio interview and AI War collaborators.
This expansion into different development departments diversifies Critical Moves’ coverage beyond directors and designers. Composers, writers, and other specialists offer alternative perspectives on strategy game creation, enriching audience understanding of collaborative development processes. The narrative approach extends beyond “what’s your game about” into “how did this specific element come together.”
Adam’s Ambitious Pick
Adam selects Borislav Slavov—composer he considers among few industry figures he can name—acknowledging the difficulty securing such established talent. The realistic assessment that this interview “probably isn’t possible” reflects understanding Critical Moves’ current reach limitations while maintaining aspirational targets motivating continued growth.
Al’s Dream Interview
Al declares interviewing Chris Taylor would enable him to “die happy,” representing the ultimate validation of Critical Moves’ evolution from amateur podcast to platform attracting legendary strategy game designers. Taylor’s awareness of Sanctuary Shattered Sun (which Al supports) and Supreme Commander spiritual successor interest creates potential connection points, though Al acknowledges the improbability without overstating chances.
The transparent wishlist demonstrates Critical Moves’ confidence—publicly naming dream interviews signals they believe reaching such figures eventually becomes possible through continued quality work and audience growth. The call for developers to contact them directly invites industry participation in shaping future content.
Peter Molyneux and Accessibility
The casual mention of contacting Peter Molyneux (“he’s only down the road”) illustrates how UK-based hosts possess geographic advantages for certain interviews while international guests remain accessible through remote recording. The conversation acknowledges numerous “big names” now seem achievable given experience conducting successful interviews with respected industry figures.
Why Independence From Publishers Changes Everything
No Obligations, Total Honesty
Al emphasizes Critical Moves’ greatest strength—answering to nobody enables complete honesty impossible for outlets dependent on publisher relationships, advertising revenue, or access journalism. When developers provide review codes for poor games, Critical Moves simply doesn’t cover them rather than manufacturing positive spin or publishing obligatory reviews misrepresenting quality.
This independence extends to criticism of major publishers and franchises. Al notes their harsh Creative Assembly coverage and Broken Arrow criticism on YouTube occurs without fear of access loss, advertising cancellation, or professional consequences. The volunteer structure means nobody gets fired for honest opinions—the worst outcome is developers declining future interview requests, which rarely occurs given most appreciate authentic engagement.
The Kakatu Example
Discussion references unnamed legacy outlets giving games 100% scores while opening reviews acknowledging “there are problems with this game.” This contradiction exemplifies access journalism corruption where positive coverage becomes implicit exchange for early review access, exclusive interviews, and promotional support. Critical Moves faces no such pressure—their volunteer model removes commercial incentives compromising editorial integrity.
The comparison to Three Moves Ahead and eXplorminate acknowledges other quality strategy podcasts while distinguishing Critical Moves’ particular approach. Those established outlets conduct excellent interviews, but Critical Moves’ complete independence from industry obligations enables uniquely blunt assessments when warranted.
Raw Authenticity Over Polish
Al repeatedly emphasizes Critical Moves’ “unprofessional” nature as feature rather than bug. The raw, authentic conversations—including occasional chaos and unscripted tangents—create genuine rapport with audiences and interview subjects alike. The hosts don’t adopt journalistic personas or maintain professional distance, instead bringing their actual personalities and opinions to every episode.
This authenticity attracts both listeners and developers seeking honest platforms. Indie developers particularly appreciate straightforward coverage avoiding marketing-speak and corporate bland optimism. When Critical Moves praises games, the endorsement carries weight precisely because negative opinions appear freely when deserved.
The Brazilian Batman Incident and Community Engagement
New World Order Developer Response
The Brazilian Batman incident—where Critical Moves honestly criticized the AI-supported New World Order’s Steam description during a Next Fest episode—unexpectedly concluded with the developer joining their Discord to thank them for feedback. This remarkable response to harsh criticism demonstrated both developer resilience and Critical Moves’ community accessibility.
Adam expresses amazement that a podcast reaching sufficient audiences that criticized developers find and engage with coverage. The incident validated Critical Moves’ growing influence while demonstrating how genuine criticism delivered without malice can foster positive developer relationships even when opinions skew negative.
Unexpected Reach and Recognition
The hosts discuss gradual realization that industry participants actively monitor their coverage. Developers working on Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition expansion packs requesting interviews, community members recommending Critical Moves in Reddit strategy gaming discussions, and guest requests from developers appreciating their work all indicate reach exceeding initial expectations.
This recognition occurs entirely through organic growth—no promotional spending, minimal social media activity, and word-of-mouth recommendations driving listener acquisition. Interview subjects sharing episodes with their audiences and communities creates virtuous cycles exposing new listeners to Critical Moves while providing developers with platforms reaching engaged strategy gaming audiences.
Questions for the Community
Validation and Direction
Al directly requests community validation acknowledging the team’s volunteer efforts deserve knowing their work resonates with audiences. While analytics confirm 1,500 monthly listeners and half-million YouTube views, direct engagement through Discord, comments, and episode feedback provides meaningful confirmation that time investments produce value for strategy gaming enthusiasts.
The request for content direction invites audiences shaping future coverage. Al points to Sid’s journey from commenter suggesting Sudden Strike coverage to team member producing that episode as proof community input drives actual changes. The open invitation for suggestions—whether games, developers, or topics—promises consideration and likely implementation when feasible.
Adam’s Simple Request
Adam issues straightforward call: advertise Critical Moves through word-of-mouth recommendations. When people seek strategy gaming podcast suggestions, mention Critical Moves. This grassroots marketing approach aligns with their volunteer ethos—rather than spending money on promotion, they request audiences organically spreading awareness through genuine enthusiasm for content quality.
The emphasis on authentic recommendations over forced marketing reflects broader Critical Moves philosophy. They’d rather grow through honest appreciation than artificial hype, maintaining the genuine community atmosphere distinguishing them from commercial outlets.
Jack’s Guest Requests
Jack asks audiences identifying desired interview subjects, noting this information motivates targeted outreach with specific leverage—”half a million YouTube views and engaged community want to hear from you.” Knowing which developers, franchises, or industry figures interest audiences helps prioritize interview pursuits and strengthens pitches demonstrating guaranteed interested viewership.
The additional emphasis on community presence enables future opportunities. Developers increasingly ask whether Critical Moves communities could participate in private playtests or receive early access codes. Demonstrable engaged communities expand opportunities benefiting both audiences and developers while strengthening Critical Moves’ value proposition for prospective guests.
2026 Plans and Thanks
Managing Multinational Volunteers
Al admits podcast management sometimes feels like full-time job, specifically thanking Jack for assuming scheduling and organizational responsibilities recently. Coordinating six volunteers across multiple time zones, maintaining weekly episode consistency for over a year, and managing all production aspects creates substantial stress despite the project’s volunteer nature.
The candid acknowledgment that Al “thought about pulling the plug” multiple times over recent months reveals genuine struggles behind consistent output. Hearing how Critical Moves positively impacted Jack’s and Adam’s lives provides validation making continued effort worthwhile, though the lonely isolation of project leadership remains challenging.
Consistent Weekly Output Achievement
Al emphasizes Critical Moves’ exceptional consistency—weekly episodes for over a year without breaks—distinguishes them from most podcasts dying within months. No other strategy gaming podcast maintains similar weekly output, making Critical Moves’ reliability valuable for audiences expecting regular content. This consistency required significant behind-scenes work often invisible to listeners.
New Year Resolution
Jack frames maintaining weekly schedules as their 2026 New Year’s resolution, acknowledging consistency challenges while committing to continued output. The team understands their volunteer constraints limit pursuing certain growth opportunities like Patreon support tiers, but knowing audiences exist and engage motivates prioritizing continued quality episode production.
Final Thanks and Call to Action
The hosts conclude with appreciation for everyone listening, watching YouTube content, engaging on Discord, and commenting on episodes. The direct acknowledgment that community presence incentivizes content improvement and structural development reinforces how audience engagement drives podcast evolution beyond mere vanity metrics.
Jack’s closing emphasizes the privilege of discussing strategy games with passionate multinational team “flying too close to the sun” regarding journalistic ambitions. The invitation for audiences telling others about Critical Moves, combined with thanks for 2025 support, frames 2026 as continuation of successful formula while pursuing ambitious expansion into composer interviews, major industry figures, and diversified coverage maintaining their independent, brutally honest approach.
Contact & Links
About | Contact | Meet the Team | Get Involved | Forum | Episodes
Discord | Reddit | Twitter / X | Facebook
Instagram | Twitch | Steam Group | Steam Curator
YouTube | Spotify | Apple | Amazon
Email: [email protected]
Episode Verdict
This retrospective reveals Critical Moves’ remarkable first-year evolution from uncertain amateur podcast to platform attracting developer-initiated interview requests and reaching 1,500 monthly listeners through pure organic growth. The team’s brutal honesty about management stress, volunteer coordination challenges, and moments of doubt paradoxically reinforces their greatest strength—independence from commercial pressures enabling the unfiltered criticism and authentic enthusiasm distinguishing their coverage from access journalism corruption. Their success validating the “family-owned bakery” model where passion and honesty trump budget and polish, while ambitious 2026 plans targeting industry legends like Chris Taylor and prominent composers signal confidence that continued quality work makes previously impossible interviews achievable. The direct community engagement appeals acknowledge audiences as partners shaping coverage rather than passive consumers, promising Critical Moves’ second year builds on established foundations while maintaining the raw authenticity making them essential strategy gaming voices.
Next Episode: Strategy Games 2026 Preview: Dawn of War 4, Total War 40K, Space Sims, and Indies
Discover more from Critical Moves Podcast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.