You are listening to Three Moves Ahead, the official podcast of Flash of Steel.com.

I am your regular host, Troy Goodfellow, and with me today is a regular panelist and our pinch-hitting panelist.

First, we have freelance writer Tom Chick.

Can I get anyone a coffee?

I would be more than happy to oblige if anyone would like a coffee, let me know.

And our, I guess, sixth man off the bench, back due to the popular demand, Mr. Rob Zakeney.

Rob, glad you could join us again.

Glad to be back.

This week on tap, we're going to talk about paradox's most recent expansion to Europe

Universalis 3, Air to the Throne.

And most importantly, in a broader sense, what Europa Universalis 3 and the entire

EU series and the paradox style of design means for a variety, what it means for approaching different game styles,

and what Air to the Throne brings to the table.

So, guys, we've each had a little bit of experience with Air to the Throne in the EU series.

Actually, I'd like to start just pretty much back at the beginning, your first exposure

to the European Universal series because these were games pretty much came out of nowhere, right?

I do remember vividly discovering EU, yeah.

How long ago was that?

It came out in 2000 in the Americas, so I've been to Europe, I think, in 1999.

How did you find it, Tom? I remember you're reviewing it. I don't, I mean, I just try to play... I mean, I love strategy games like you guys, so when a new one comes out, I'm eager to play it. How did I find it? I have no idea how I found it, but I vividly remember finding it, and I vividly remember,

it's based on a board game, isn't that correct?

Like, I'm sure it's come a long way since the board game, but I remember really appreciating

...