Why do you like playing RTSs?
by Geom · in RTS Starter Kit · 08/26/2007 (8:38 pm) · 5 replies
Why do you like playing RTSs?
-----
There seems to be a wide variety of reasons that people like the RTS genre. One person will love one aspect of RTS gameplay, while another person will hate that aspect and like a different one. For example, some people like the base-building and infrastructure aspect, while others detest that and prefer to only manage battles at a tactical level.
I thought it might be interesting if we, as developers, shared why we like playing this genre.
The reason is, by better understanding what others see in RTSs, we may be able to better design our gameplay to appeal to a larger audience/market. (sorry if I sound a bit like I'm in marketing here; I guess I'm thinking that way these days... :-)
-----
I'll go first. I like:
* doing lots of upgrades that give me a technological edge on the battlefield
* laying out bases carefully to maximize resource collection (i.e. not obstructing workers' paths, etc.)
* laying out bases carefully to maximize defensive value
* building roads to maximize my rate of resource collection
* building roads so I can move my military units where I need them, fast
* playing random maps and exploring thru the fog of war (discovering resources, enemies, etc.)
* playing cooperative games with other human players against AI players (I like the camaraderie aspect)
* out-smarting, rather than out-powering, the computer AI
* well, I like out-powering the AI, too :)
* random maps that lend themselves to choke-points, behind which I can incubate my empire
* pretty maps, that aesthetically speaking are simply nice to look at while playing
* a variety of building types, so that my/enemies' base(s) are interesting to look at
so what do you like?
-----
There seems to be a wide variety of reasons that people like the RTS genre. One person will love one aspect of RTS gameplay, while another person will hate that aspect and like a different one. For example, some people like the base-building and infrastructure aspect, while others detest that and prefer to only manage battles at a tactical level.
I thought it might be interesting if we, as developers, shared why we like playing this genre.
The reason is, by better understanding what others see in RTSs, we may be able to better design our gameplay to appeal to a larger audience/market. (sorry if I sound a bit like I'm in marketing here; I guess I'm thinking that way these days... :-)
-----
I'll go first. I like:
* doing lots of upgrades that give me a technological edge on the battlefield
* laying out bases carefully to maximize resource collection (i.e. not obstructing workers' paths, etc.)
* laying out bases carefully to maximize defensive value
* building roads to maximize my rate of resource collection
* building roads so I can move my military units where I need them, fast
* playing random maps and exploring thru the fog of war (discovering resources, enemies, etc.)
* playing cooperative games with other human players against AI players (I like the camaraderie aspect)
* out-smarting, rather than out-powering, the computer AI
* well, I like out-powering the AI, too :)
* random maps that lend themselves to choke-points, behind which I can incubate my empire
* pretty maps, that aesthetically speaking are simply nice to look at while playing
* a variety of building types, so that my/enemies' base(s) are interesting to look at
so what do you like?
About the author
My email address is my GG handle, at redbrickgames.com.
#2
08/29/2007 (5:03 pm)
I love building base defense. For example I love building walls with guard towers in Age of Empires 2 and I like doing things like the supply depot, bunker, missile turret, siege tank combo in Starcraft. 
#3
Anyway, here I go.
I love RTS games since Dune II. When I played it, I feel like someone read my mind, and did exactly what I wanna play. When the time pass, Wacraft surprised me. Till there, both universes were sci-fi/fantastic genres. When the first C&C arrived, and settled the bases of almost any modern RTS, I feel again like someone understand my thoughs, and I realize that overall, I wanna play something less fictional, something more "real". Nevertheless, I keep playing miltary strategy/tactic games of all types (UFO saga, Civilization saga, Total War saga...)
From that point on, I became more and more atracted to RTSs, but more critic and demanding too. I took and loved Starcraft since my first heard of "GoGoGo!!!", but I just abandoned most of the clones I played. Games like "Z", or "Dark Colony" passed eventually for my pc, but never lefting a mark like the others. I enjoy so much C&C Generals, and years later, LotR: Battle for Middle Earth I (the 2nd part was a deception for me), game where I tasted some new concepts to RTS genre, and some already viewed concepts, applied in different (better) ways.
Right now, I Ill play for sure games like C&C3 or the upcoming Starcraft 2. But Im more atracted by Company of Heros style. I really enjoy all those things you Geom enumerate, but I like more than nothing, to be able to tactically win or loose. Im tired of ending games by the infamous "[pick_unit_type] mass" going directly through any type of defense (or logic). Im tired too, of the ridiculous circunstance of building an entire base, collect resources, etc. The concept of RTT, on that aspect, its like a soul healer for me. The mentioned Company of Heroes, in that way, its an almost perfect balance, between RTS and RTT. On my project I wanna take that balance and add some drops of more RTT.
...
Re-reading what I wrote till now, I realize that I talked more about what I played, than any specific answer to what you ask. Even worst, I was very simplistic on some sentences... well Im not re-writing this, so you will have to take it as-is. Sorry, :D
(Anyway, in summary I answer somehow what you ask... I think)
08/29/2007 (8:48 pm)
Geom, pal! Im so sorry... Im entering GG every day, but somehow I miss your post for 2 days!Anyway, here I go.
I love RTS games since Dune II. When I played it, I feel like someone read my mind, and did exactly what I wanna play. When the time pass, Wacraft surprised me. Till there, both universes were sci-fi/fantastic genres. When the first C&C arrived, and settled the bases of almost any modern RTS, I feel again like someone understand my thoughs, and I realize that overall, I wanna play something less fictional, something more "real". Nevertheless, I keep playing miltary strategy/tactic games of all types (UFO saga, Civilization saga, Total War saga...)
From that point on, I became more and more atracted to RTSs, but more critic and demanding too. I took and loved Starcraft since my first heard of "GoGoGo!!!", but I just abandoned most of the clones I played. Games like "Z", or "Dark Colony" passed eventually for my pc, but never lefting a mark like the others. I enjoy so much C&C Generals, and years later, LotR: Battle for Middle Earth I (the 2nd part was a deception for me), game where I tasted some new concepts to RTS genre, and some already viewed concepts, applied in different (better) ways.
Right now, I Ill play for sure games like C&C3 or the upcoming Starcraft 2. But Im more atracted by Company of Heros style. I really enjoy all those things you Geom enumerate, but I like more than nothing, to be able to tactically win or loose. Im tired of ending games by the infamous "[pick_unit_type] mass" going directly through any type of defense (or logic). Im tired too, of the ridiculous circunstance of building an entire base, collect resources, etc. The concept of RTT, on that aspect, its like a soul healer for me. The mentioned Company of Heroes, in that way, its an almost perfect balance, between RTS and RTT. On my project I wanna take that balance and add some drops of more RTT.
...
Re-reading what I wrote till now, I realize that I talked more about what I played, than any specific answer to what you ask. Even worst, I was very simplistic on some sentences... well Im not re-writing this, so you will have to take it as-is. Sorry, :D
(Anyway, in summary I answer somehow what you ask... I think)
#4
08/30/2007 (8:32 pm)
Novack, no problem, I think that's a perfect answer! I hadn't heard the term "RTT" before.
#5
Edit.: Second time I check my grammar. Im tired, here are 3 AM so Im sorry if I cannot properly connect the words ;)
08/30/2007 (10:20 pm)
Actually, I believe that I was who invented it, till I saw it on wikipedia... :( (some months ago anyway, I dont think its an old concept)Edit.: Second time I check my grammar. Im tired, here are 3 AM so Im sorry if I cannot properly connect the words ;)
Torque Owner Geom