Episode

Virtual Economies in Strategy Games (Ep.95)

Podcast
Critical Moves - Strategy Gaming
Published
Aug 21, 2026
Duration seconds
3655
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https://rss.com/podcasts/criticalmoves/3070059
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https://content.rss.com/episodes/324240/3070059/criticalmoves/2026_08_15_09_28_51_790f0fce-e204-4856-a501-c7d0b2c52b75.mp3
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Markdown
/podcast/critical-moves-strategy-gaming-7033275/virtual-economies-in-strategy-games-ep-95.md

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Summary

Jack and Adam dig into how strategy games model their economies — from Victoria 3's fully simulated supply and demand to Stellaris treating resources as a means to an end. Along the way they cover limited versus unlimited resources, why money can feel like a cheap way out of a tight spot, the wildly different scales games use for wealth, and whether they'd rather play scarce or swimming in surplus. Games discussed include Victoria 3, Stellaris, Crusader Kings, Hearts of Iron 4, Anno, Tropico, Civ 6 and 7, Offworld Trading Company, City Skylines and more.