| Real-time strategy (RTS) games are arguebly | | | | Warcraft: Orcs and Humans- After Dune II was |
| the most popular genre on PC and rightly so, | | | | released the RTS front suddenly became quiet |
| as they are highly competitive and | | | | until late 1994, when Warcraft: Orcs and |
| long-lasting due to the many different ways | | | | Humans was released by Blizzard |
| an RTS can be played. Today I want to provide | | | | Entertainment. This game moved away from the |
| you with a hisory of RTS that will give you | | | | sci-fi aspects oof Dune II and into a magical |
| an idea of where it all started. | | | | fantasy world that was thoroughly |
| | | | entertaining. There are two resources to be |
| RTS games are still a fairly new genre | | | | harvested in this game; lumber and gold. The |
| compared to others because early computer | | | | two would have to be managed successfully inn |
| strategy game revolved around turn-based | | | | order to build a mighty war machine. The |
| strategy, which whilst fun does not offer the | | | | units on both sides were essentially mirror |
| frenetic thrills you can expect from an RTS. | | | | images of each other, however they still |
| The following is a discussion of the most | | | | looked distinctive from each other. |
| influential RTS games: | | | | |
| | | | Command & Conquer- Westwood responded to the |
| Herzog Zwei- Surprisingly enough what is now | | | | release of Warcraft in 1995 with the release |
| considered the first RTS game was in fact | | | | of Command & Conquer, which was a spectacular |
| released on the Sega Megadrive back in 1989 | | | | evolution of the Dune II formula. Command & |
| instead of the PC. The game focused mainly on | | | | Conquer could have been released under a |
| split screen multiplayer action, (Yes that's | | | | different name but Westwood decided it was |
| right a split screen RTS) where each player | | | | time to make a fresh game without a license |
| had a main base with several support bases, | | | | attached. Command & Conquer follows the story |
| the maps also consisted of neutral bases that | | | | of a charismatic batle between GDI (Global |
| any player could capure and use to their | | | | Defence Inititive) and the Brotherhood of |
| advantage. What made Herzog Zwei work on the | | | | Nod, led by the ruthless Kane. The game made |
| console is the control of a single unit only, | | | | use of cut-scenes, which were rather cheesy |
| with all other units acting as support,a | | | | but proved a hit with gamers. |
| rather ingenious move that could be | | | | |
| implemented in future console RTS games. | | | | Conclusion- There you have it these are the |
| | | | most influential games in RTS gaming history |
| Dune II- After Dune II was released the RTS | | | | and all except Herzog Zwei have spawned |
| front suddenly became quiet until late 1994, | | | | various sequels and clones. In this day and |
| when Warcraft: Orcs and Humans was released | | | | age developers often merge RTS elements into |
| by Blizzard Entertainment. This game moved | | | | other genres and it is not difficult to |
| away from the sci-fi aspects oof Dune II and | | | | predict that this trend will continue as more |
| into a magical fantasy world that was | | | | advanced technologies are released allowing |
| thoroughly entertaining. There are two | | | | for more creative expressions from software |
| resources to be harvested in this game; | | | | developers. The genre may start to re-emerge |
| lumber and gold. The two would have to be | | | | on consoles, as attempts made recently have |
| managed successfully inn order to build a | | | | been more successful, Command & Conquer 3: |
| mighty war machine. The units on both sides | | | | Tiberium Wars being a good example. |
| were essentially mirror images of each other, | | | | |
| however they still looked distinctive from | | | | Please visit Game Villa for game reviews, |
| each other. | | | | news, features and more. |
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