RTS stands for Real-Time Strategy. It is a game genre that emphasizes strategic planning and decision making in real time. In RTS games, players control units, buildings, and resources on a map, and compete against other players or computer opponents. The main objectives of RTS games are usually to:
RTS is a popular and influential game genre that has been around since the 1980s. It is especially prevalent in esports, where professional players compete in tournaments and leagues for fame and money.
What are the features of RTS?
RTS games have several distinctive features that set them apart from other game genres. Some of them are:
Real-time gameplay: Unlike turn-based games, where players take turns to make their moves, RTS games require players to act and react continuously and simultaneously. This creates a fast-paced and dynamic gameplay that tests the players’ speed, accuracy, and multitasking skills.
Strategy and tactics: Unlike action games, where players rely on their reflexes and skills, RTS games require players to think and plan ahead. This involves choosing the right units and buildings, managing the economy and the technology, and executing the best strategies and tactics to counter the enemy.
Resource management: Unlike role-playing games, where players focus on their characters and their abilities, RTS games require players to manage their resources and their production. This involves collecting, spending, and balancing resources such as food, wood, gold, or energy, and building and maintaining units and buildings that consume or produce these resources.
Fog of war: Unlike adventure games, where players explore and discover the map, RTS games limit the players’ vision and information. This creates a fog of war, which obscures parts of the map that are not within the sight range of the players’ units or buildings. This adds an element of uncertainty and surprise to the gameplay, as players have to scout and reveal the map, and anticipate and adapt to the enemy’s moves.
What are some examples of RTS?
RTS games have a rich and diverse history, with many titles and franchises that have shaped and defined the genre. Some of the most famous and influential RTS games are:
Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (1992): This is considered to be the first modern RTS game, as it introduced many of the genre’s conventions, such as resource gathering, base building, unit production, and tech trees. It is based on the science fiction novel Dune by Frank Herbert, and features three factions: the noble House Atreides, the evil House Harkonnen, and the mysterious House Ordos.
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (1994): This is the first game in the Warcraft series, which spawned several sequels, spin-offs, and a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) called World of Warcraft. It is set in a fantasy world of Azeroth, and features two factions: the human Alliance and the orcish Horde.
Command & Conquer (1995): This is the first game in the Command & Conquer series, which spawned several sub-series, such as Red Alert, Tiberian, and Generals. It is set in a near-future world, and features two factions: the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the Brotherhood of Nod.
StarCraft (1998): This is the first game in the StarCraft series, which is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential RTS games of all time. It is set in a distant future, and features three factions: the human Terrans, the alien Protoss, and the insectoid Zerg.
Age of Empires (1997): This is the first game in the Age of Empires series, which is one of the most successful and popular RTS series of all time. It is set in different historical periods, and features various civilizations, such as the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, and the Persians.
To Sum Up
RTS is a complex and exciting game genre that combines real-time gameplay, strategy and tactics, resource management, and fog of war. It has a long and diverse history, with many games and franchises that have shaped and defined the genre. As a gamer, you should be aware of the pros and cons of RTS and decide for yourself whether you want to play or watch it.