Real-Time Strategy: The Past and Future of the Genre

Contents:

• Shifting trends
• Unit ready

Warcraft is a cult game with a huge army of fans. Despite this, creating strategies based on even such well-known universes is not a priority for business. This also applies to other once-popular series that are gradually losing their relevance. For example, last year, Blizzard Entertainment announced the end of active support for StarCraft II. This move highlights the waning interest in older franchises and the need to adapt to the modern demands of the video game market.

Real-time strategy games have reached their peak popularity over the past two decades. The 2000s saw the regular release of new projects and sequels to well-known franchises that remain etched in the memories of players. These games significantly influenced the development of the genre and built a devoted audience. Modern strategy games continue to borrow elements and mechanics from those years, underscoring their longevity and relevance in the gaming industry.

Among the most significant strategy games is the Command & Conquer series, which includes three spin-offs with unique stories, atmospheres, and dynamic gameplay. The legendary Supreme Commander is often called a "true strategy" due to its depth and scale. Also worth noting are Age of Empires, Cossacks, The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth, Stronghold, and other games that have gained popularity in the strategy genre and continue to attract players thanks to their engaging gameplay and diverse mechanics.

The Subpixel team notes that the peak popularity of the real-time strategy genre was reached in 2000, when 33 games were released, including such iconic projects as Shogun: Total War, Star Trek: Armada, and Homeworld: Cataclysm. However, the following ten years saw a decline in the number of new releases in this genre. In 2004, 29 strategy games were released, but by 2005 this number had dropped to 17. This indicates a gradual fading of interest in real-time strategies, which may be due to changes in audience gaming preferences and the emergence of new genres.

The strategy market remained stable until 2011, when new releases could be counted on the fingers of one hand. From 2015 to 2018, the strategy genre began to show activity, but in recent years it has again faced a noticeable decline. This decline is due to changes in audience interests and competition from other genres. It is important to note that to restore the popularity of strategy games, it is necessary to take into account modern gaming trends and player preferences.

Before 2010, the RTS genre had many outstanding and successful games that cannot be compared to what we have seen in the last decade. Since 2010, games such as StarCraft II, Company of Heroes 2, and Halo Wars 2 have entered the market. These projects became landmarks for the genre and demonstrated a high level of quality and success, attracting the attention of both critics and players. RTS remains a popular genre, but successful new releases are rarer than before.

Balint Marcin is a lead developer at Creative Assembly. He plays a key role in the creation and development of video games known for their quality and innovation. In his work, Marcin focuses on the application of modern technologies and development approaches, which contributes to the creation of engaging gaming experiences for users. His contributions to the company's projects help set high standards in the video game industry and attract the attention of audiences around the world. Creative Assembly continues to thrive under the leadership of talented specialists like Balint Marcin.

The popularity of real-time strategy (RTS) games has led to market saturation, where the number of new releases in this genre has become comparable to the number of shooters, which traditionally dominate the gaming market. Take, for example, the Command & Conquer series, which includes more than ten games released between 1995 and 2010. Act of War later entered the market, successfully adopting gameplay elements from the series and temporarily reviving interest in tank rush tactics. Grey Goo also adapted the formula made popular by StarCraft II, introducing new elements to the classic RTS genre. Numerous projects and clones exist on the market, demonstrating intense competition among developers seeking to attract gamers. However, audiences eventually encountered an overabundance of RTS games, and player interest shifted to other subgenres. While StarCraft II esports tournaments once attracted huge audiences, the release of Dota 2 and League of Legends dramatically shifted the focus. These games not only gained popularity, but also set new trends in eSports, attracting millions of players and viewers around the world.

DotA Allstars appeared as an amateur map for Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne quickly gained popularity among gamers. As the map grew and the community formed, Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne became perceived as a platform for this game mode. As a result, a new genre of MOBA emerged in the gaming industry, combining RPG and strategy elements. During gameplay, players can develop their heroes, controlling them in accordance with the principles of classic RTS.

With the release of League of Legends and Dota 2, the esports scene firmly established itself around these projects, which attracted a wide audience. Today, League of Legends and Dota 2 tournaments not only offer significant cash prizes but also attract millions of viewers worldwide. These games have become an integral part of esports, shaping the culture and creating new opportunities for players and spectators. The success of these projects has also fueled interest in other MOBA games, but League of Legends and Dota 2 remain the leaders in this field.

The popularity of the MOBA genre has attracted the attention of developers, leading to the implementation of its elements in RTS games. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War has become a cult classic, receiving positive reviews from both critics and players—on Metacritic, it holds a score of 86 from the press and 8.7 from players. However, despite the success of the first game, the developers of the sequel decided not to simply refine the existing gameplay mechanics, but to radically rethink them. As a result, base-building elements were eliminated, the number of units was significantly reduced, and the scale of action was reduced, allowing for a focus on leveling and upgrading characters.

The game's campaign offers players the opportunity to develop multiple heroes, emphasizing the management of small forces in multiplayer. Each unit under the player's control has its own value, adding strategic depth. The tech tree has been significantly simplified, allowing for a focus on the core gameplay. This experiment proved successful: the studio was able to attract a new audience and generate interest in the game. As a result, the game received many positive reviews, although it did not reach the scores on Metacritic as its predecessor.

In the third part of Relic Entertainment attempted to attract fans of classic real-time strategy (RTS) games by reviving the mechanics of base building and managing large armies. However, the project failed to live up to expectations and proved unpopular with both fans of the first game and fans of the sequel. Players cited unit imbalances, a lack of tactical depth, technical flaws, and the exclusion of mechanics present in previous installments in the series. Fans felt that the final installment combined all the shortcomings of the original and its sequel, leading to a negative community reaction.

Shifting Trends

The MOBA concept has been successfully adapted to the shooter genre. In 2016, Blizzard Entertainment introduced Overwatch, showcasing a new approach to character control that went beyond simply clicking a mouse across a map. Overwatch quickly gained popularity and became a key discipline in esports. This game combined elements of team-based strategy with dynamic gameplay, which contributed to its growth among players and viewers.

Video game audiences have noticeably shifted their preferences in recent years, shifting their focus from the RTS genre towards action games, games-as-a-service, and console titles. While strategy games occasionally appear on consoles, they face the challenges of adapting controls to a gamepad instead of a traditional cursor. This negatively impacts the game's dynamism. As a result, RTS games on consoles are inferior to popular hits such as The Last of Us, Gears of War, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and God of War, which offer more immersive gameplay.

The Last of Us Part II sold over 4 million copies in its first three days of release, highlighting the game's immense interest. Meanwhile, Crusader Kings III only reached the 1 million mark a month after its release, indicating a more modest sales pace. Even StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, which was also popular, couldn't compete with the success of its console sequel—the game sold 1.5 million copies in its first two days, and only surpassed the three million mark a month later. These metrics highlight the importance of marketing and player expectations, which directly impacts the success of releases in the gaming industry.

The video game industry is a dynamic business where Publishers and developers focus on the profitability and success of their products. A prime example of this approach is EA Games, which downgraded the Command & Conquer series, transforming it from a full-fledged PC strategy game into a browser app and then a mobile version. This decision reflects EA's strategy of focusing on other, more profitable projects. As a result, many fans of classic strategy games were left disappointed, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance between commercial interests and game quality.

In June 2020, the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection was released on Origin, receiving positive reviews from both the press and gamers. This move by the publisher can be seen as testing audience interest or as part of a general trend of releasing remasters of popular games aimed at evoking user nostalgia. However, it's premature to conclude that EA is once again focusing on strategy games.

During game development, leading companies consider many factors, among which player psychology plays a key role. Understanding user psychology allows for the identification of optimal playtimes, effective monetization methods, and other important aspects that contribute to the creation of a "perfectly calibrated product." This knowledge helps developers create more engaging and engaging games, which ultimately increases their commercial success.

Today, the RTS genre attracts primarily dedicated fans. Casual players often lack the time and patience to master all the nuances of this genre and fully enjoy the game. Balint Marcin notes that real-time strategy games are currently not widely popular, and the market faces difficulties due to a lack of innovative ideas. To bring back interest in RTS, developers need to introduce fresh mechanics and unique game elements that can attract a wider audience.

Many strategy games remain unchanged for years, which attracts hardcore fans but alienates a wider audience. As lead developer Creative Assembly points out, the genre's stagnation leads to key gameplay elements being lost in attempts to update projects. As a result, this approach negatively impacts the quality of the final product. To ensure the interest of both experienced players and newcomers, it is necessary to find a balance between tradition and innovation in game design.

The desire to add elements of realism characteristic of 4X games negatively impacted Game of Thrones: Genesis. Altering the proven RTS formula made gameplay more difficult to understand, making it difficult for players to master the mechanics. This led to a decrease in engagement and interest in the game, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance between realism and playability.

It's important to replicate successful strategies instead of taking risks and experimenting with unproven concepts. In today's world, with 30 years of game design experience, all the necessary foundations for creating successful projects already exist. Using proven methods helps minimize risks and increases the likelihood of success.

Balint Marcin is a lead developer at Creative Assembly. He plays a key role in the creation and development of games, making him an important figure in the industry. Under his leadership, innovative ideas and technologies are implemented that contribute to the improvement of the quality of gaming products. Balint's contributions to game development help the company stay at the forefront of the competitive landscape. His experience and professionalism make him a valuable specialist contributing to the success of Creative Assembly.

The high entry barrier is a major obstacle for many strategy games, especially large projects like Civilization and Stellaris. These games require players to invest a significant amount of time to master the mechanics and understand the general principles of gameplay. For example, learning Supreme Commander or Wargame: Red Dragon, recently available on the Epic Games Store, can take weeks before a player can confidently participate in multiplayer. To succeed in such games, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the rules, but also to the strategy, which makes the learning process an important part of the gaming experience.

Any game requires an understanding of its mechanics, but in shooters, the player receives weapons and can Jump right into a game on a specific map, drawing on your experience in other action games. In contrast, strategy games require a deeper understanding. Basic understanding is not enough; you need to understand unit characteristics, develop tactics, form battlegroup composition, monitor resources, and take into account many other factors. The player must make quick decisions under pressure and predict enemy actions. The strategy concept eliminates the possibility of "playing out of habit," which makes each game unique and requires the player to constantly develop skills and adapt.

In an interview with Screenrant dedicated to StarCraft II's tenth anniversary, Ryan Schutter, who worked on the interface design, emphasized that despite the developers' efforts, this legendary strategy game continues to be challenging for casual players.

In StarCraft II, players often face a barrier due to the physical demands of the game. Despite its apparent simplicity, achieving high results requires exceptional speed, precision, strategic thinking, and quick reactions. The competitive aspect of StarCraft II requires complete concentration and leaves no room for relaxation. If I had the opportunity to make changes, I would suggest simplifying the game's mechanics for newcomers while maintaining a high level of complexity and depth. This would make the game more accessible to players of all skill levels without compromising its uniqueness and appeal to experienced players. We have several ideas on this matter, but they are controversial even within the team and will undoubtedly be discussed in our community.

Ryan Schutter is a renowned UI designer who made significant contributions to the StarCraft II interface. His work focuses on developing intuitive and engaging user interfaces that enhance gameplay and user interaction. Thanks to his efforts, StarCraft II has become not only a strategy classic but also a benchmark in game interface design. Shutter focused on making the interface accessible to players of all skill levels, which contributed to the game's popularity and enduring success in the market.

Unit ready

Despite a certain stagnation and decline in the popularity of the real-time strategy genre, it is premature to declare its complete extinction. The situation with the end of active support for StarCraft II upset fans, but interest in the game remains high. Real-time strategy games continue to attract audiences, and new projects in this genre have the potential to revive player interest.

In October 2021, the long-awaited release of the sequel to the cult series, Age of Empires IV, developed by the renowned studio Relic Entertainment, took place. The previous installment, released 16 years ago, was warmly received by both the press and players, and has earned classic status among fans. Meanwhile, the re-release of Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition received more lukewarm reviews. On Metacritic, the critics' score dropped six notches compared to the original, reaching a score of 75. The gaming community also reacted coolly, awarding the game only 5.8 points, while the previous part could boast a rating of 7.8 points.

Homeworld fans awaiting the third installment may want to check out Stellar Warfare, which was released this August. This game incorporates some gameplay elements from the well-known space saga and has already gained a following on Steam. Stellar Warfare offers players the opportunity to assemble and upgrade their fleet in a variety of ways, making gameplay engaging and varied. If you're looking for an alternative while waiting for the new Homeworld, Stellar Warfare is worth a try.

This year marks the release of Falling Frontier, a game that promises to offer players large-scale battles across entire star systems. Unlike the abstract fleet clashes typical of Stellaris, Falling Frontier offers a classic space strategy format where every decision matters. Players will be able to immerse themselves in a unique gameplay experience where tactics and resource management play a key role in achieving victory. This makes Falling Frontier an interesting alternative for strategy fans seeking a deeper and more realistic space experience.

The Artistocrats studio is preparing to release the real-time strategy game Starship Troopers - Terran Command, which promises to transport players to a world based on the cult film and novel by Robert Heinlein. The game focuses on immersive gameplay and a visual style that matches the atmosphere of the original film. Starship Troopers - Terran Command is expected to offer engaging tactical battles, allowing players to manage squads and make strategic decisions in the fight against alien enemies.

Even before its release, Wargame: Red Dragon attracted a significant number of devoted fans who had spent hundreds of hours playing. Inspired by this strategy, Steel Balalaika Studio began development of its own project, Broken Arrow, which promises to be the spiritual successor to Wargame: Red Dragon. In Broken Arrow, players will be able to enjoy the deep strategy and tactical elements that made Wargame: Red Dragon so popular among war game fans.

The renowned American publisher MicroProse Software, creators of the original X-COM: UFO Defense and its sequels, as well as the first part of Sid Meier’s Civilization, will soon release a new real-time tactics game called Regiment. This game continues the concept of “big war without base building,” offering players a unique tactical battle experience. Regiment promises to immerse players in dynamic combat and strategic planning, making it an eagerly anticipated release for fans of the genre. Fans of the jungle, the smell of napalm, and memories of the events of 2021 will be able to fully immerse themselves in the harsh atmosphere of the Vietnam War with the release of the strategy game Leave No One Behind: la Drang. The game will allow players to relive the realities of the conflict and face its brutal consequences. The developers promise to pay special attention to detail and maintain historical accuracy, providing players with complex and hardcore gameplay. This project will be a true test for those seeking depth and realism in strategy games. The traditional RTS formula continues to thrive in the independent fan project Forged Alliance Forever, created by Supreme Commander. This community has created a social interaction platform that has been active for over five years. Online games on this platform remain popular, and updates and patches are regularly released for the FAF client, demonstrating the developers' and players' interest in continuing to support the project. Forged Alliance Forever is becoming an important part of the real-time strategy world, offering players a unique experience and the opportunity to interact with like-minded people.

Next year, Relic Entertainment announced the release of Company of Heroes 3. Fans are eagerly anticipating this game, given the success of previous installments in the series. Furthermore, Company of Heroes served as inspiration for King Art Games, the studio behind Iron Harvest, released in 2020. Relic Entertainment's new project promises to expand the world of real-time strategy and attract both existing and new fans of the genre.

The game stands out for its unique steampunk setting, which combines steam-powered mechs and military action evoking the atmosphere of World War I. The events take place in a fictional universe set in the 1920s+, created by artist Jakub Różalski, where abstract states resemble Poland and the Russian Empire. Iron Harvest has received a 75 from critics and a 6.6 from players on Metacritic. However, player activity on Steam in recent months indicates the end of the project's life cycle, as the average number of online users has dropped to 500 people.

Despite the opinion that the real-time strategy genre The RTS genre is in crisis, but Balint Marcin and the Kiwi Brother development team disagree. They believe the current situation is due to a surge in high-quality games during the RTS golden era, followed by a natural stagnation. The genre could see a revival in the future if developers are willing to move beyond established gameplay concepts. Combining innovative ideas with elements from other genres, as in the upcoming Conan: Unconquered, could be key to reviving the RTS genre. This approach will attract new audiences and renew interest in strategy games.

Leading studios in the gaming industry continue to steer clear of the RTS genre. There has been a lack of news about new installments of established strategy games, as well as rumors of entirely new projects in the genre. Developers are primarily focused on battle royales and games-as-a-service, indicating a shift in interest toward more popular genres. This poses certain challenges for real-time strategy fans hoping for a revival of the genre.

Currently, the real-time strategy genre continues to dominate thanks to StarCraft II, which has one of the largest audiences of its kind. With the release of Company of Heroes 3 expected, players will be focused on their reactions. If the new sequel is as successful as its predecessor, it could spark a significant revival in the RTS genre.