Computer games - RTS
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
A recent introduction into computer gaming was the genre of real time strategies (or RTS for short). RTSs are the next evolution step in turn based strategy games. Examples of turn based strategy games are Civilization and Heroes of Might and Magic. In turn based strategies, each player or computer oponent takes turns building up an army and support for said army. In an RTS, the added element of real time causes each player to constantly defend and plan against his or her opposition as he or she may produce units faster or slower than the enemy.
Beginning
The genre of RTS was introduced by Westwood Studios with their game based on Frank Herbert's sci-fi epic, Dune. This game was entitled simpy, Dune II. The basis for this game was to conquer a planet, named Arakis. In order to do this, you must harvest the resource of Spice in order to afford to build units and attack any one of your four enemies, which included two opposing armies, the Fremen, a race of native people, and the sand worms, giant native beasts with a connection to the Spice. During the game, you are constantly under attack as you yourself are trying to build up an army to conquer the planet. This made the game much different than turn based strategies in that you must constantly adjust your strategies as your oponent adjusts his or hers. In turn based strategies, you usually have a few turns to see what your oponent is planning.
Copy
An attempt at a further step was taken by Blizzard, another computer gaming company. Blizzard came out with a game entitled Warcraft. Warcraft was basically the same is Dune II, set in a midieval past, but with one or two slight differences. Certain units in Warcraft were capable of special actions, such as spells. Researching newer technologies and upgrades were also available. In the end, it was not much more than a good copy.
Evolution
Westwood Studios Dune II was followed by a revolutionary RTS entitled Command and Conquer. C&C, as it is referred to, took place in an alternate near future, in which an alien mineral has crashed onto Earth and started to cause serious problems. This mineral, Tiberium, is soaks up nutrients from the ground and grows like a plant. Unfortunatly, it is also toxic. In this game, you must manage your harvesting of Tiberium, and conquer your enemy. The game takes two different sides, in effect creating two games in one. One side is the GDI, or Global Defence Initiative. This is the collective armies of the world set to defend against global terrorists. The other side, one group of these terrorists, is The Brotherhood of Nod. As in Dune II, you must defend against your oponent while at the same time attacking him or her.
C&C was followed by C&C: Red Alert, which was much the same, except with a better story, and set in an alternate WW2 past.
One Step Further
Blizzard, after making a sequal to their Warcraft game (which was not much more than better graphics, and more units), came out with the next generation of RTS, Starcraft. Starcraft, in essence another sequal to the Warcraft games, is a fast paced, action packed game. It isn't much different than the origional Warcraft games. The graphics are better, the story is incredible, but the gameplay isn't much different. The main reason it is considered the next step in RTS is its multiplayer feature, allowing up to 8 players. Starcraft has become a hit all over the world.
Another reason for this game's success is the fact that it has three playable factions instead of two. Starcraft is set in a distant solar system in a distant future. The first faction, the Terrans, are decended from criminals that were sent from earth on a spaceship and crashed on an uninhabited planet. The second race, the Protoss, are a species of beings genetically altered by the Xel'Naga (which are only mentioned in the game, not featured). The third and last faction are the Zerg, a race of insectiod, hive minded beings, created by the Xel'Naga. Each of these three races have a seprate storyline, essentially making three games in one, not including the multiplayer capabilities.
Lastly, Starcraft featured an advanced map editor, allowing players to create their own levels for the game. This editor featured the revolutionary ability to set triggers. These triggers were capable of setting nearly anything in motion at nearly any time. For example, if an enemy unit is destroyed, a player earns a point, or if a unit is brought to a certain point, reinforcements arrive.
One Step Backwords
Westwood attempted to compete with Starcraft's success, and failed miserably. Westwood had been working on a sequal to C&C for a while, and postponed it when Starcraft was released, which was a big mistake. C&C2: Tiberian Sun, as it was titled, was postpoend two years, and was not much more than a graphically enhanced C&C.
C&C2 was followed by Red Alert2 (which this reporter has not encountered, and cannot report much on). Red Alert 2 was schedualed to have such features as combinable units, such as being able to place a rifleman inside a tank, and a better storyline.
The Future
Not much is planned for the future of RTS games. Blizzard is currently in the works for Warcraft 3, which is expected to be a 3D RPG/RTS. However, many people are hoping for a Starcraft 2 to be in the works.