Genre: Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
The RTS genre, was once stronger, was part of the main e-sports competitions and my God... Asian countries have always dominated the competitive scene. However, it has suffered a significant decline in the last decade. Classic franchises such as StarCraft, Command & Conquer and Age of Empires were once household names, but modern RTS titles struggle to win over the same audience and this is due to the problems that this genre presents in today's games.
High barrier to entry: RTS games generally require a very high learning curve, which is unattractive to new players, especially in this increasingly fast-paced world we live in (remember that cell phones didn't used to be like they are today, where we can do everything on them and computer time has become less necessary). The complexity of base building, resource management and micromanagement can be shocking and off-putting.
Lack of Innovation: Most new games follow the traditional formula without innovating anything or almost anything, and this makes the game “more of the same” and that's why players don't keep playing, there's no new experience, just a worse copy of the game you used to love...
Shift in Player Preferences: The rise of MOBA and Battle Royale games has shifted players' interest away from RTS. These genres offer fast-paced action and simpler controls, which makes them more appealing to most people.
Suggested game: "Epoch Wars"
To save this dying category, “Epoch Wars” would be a revolutionary RTS game that aims to stand out in the genre by addressing its main problems and introducing innovative mechanics. The game is set in a dynamic and evolving world, where players guide civilizations through various historical eras, from the Stone Age to the Space Age. The key to its success lies in its accessibility, innovative gameplay and focus on cooperative and single-player experiences.
As players progress through different epochs, the gameplay evolves. Early game focuses on exploration and survival, while later stages introduce advanced technology, diplomacy, and space colonization. Each epoch offers distinct gameplay mechanics, keeping the experience fresh and engaging (if you know which game I love VERY much that I based this function in Epoch Wars, post it below hahaha. I'll leave the spoiler on the last line of the post).
The game features an adaptive AI-driven tutorial system that adjusts to the player’s skill level. New players are introduced to basic mechanics in a controlled environment, while experienced players can dive into more complex strategies. The game also includes customizable difficulty settings that allow players to tailor the experience to their preferences.
"Epoch Wars" offers a robust single-player campaign where players guide a civilization through different epochs, facing dynamic challenges and story-driven scenarios. In addition, the game features cooperative multiplayer modes where players can team up to tackle unique challenges or compete against AI-controlled empires.
The world of "Epoch Wars" is constantly changing. Players must navigate complex diplomatic relationships with other civilizations, forge alliances, or wage wars. The game introduces a "World Influence" mechanic where decisions in one epoch can have lasting consequences in future epochs, adding depth and replayability.
Instead of traditional resource collection, Epoch Wars introduces a “Cultural Development” system. Players gain resources by advancing their culture, participating in diplomacy and making technological advances. This reduces that boring resource management and allows players to focus on strategic decisions.
The game’s narrative is driven by player choices, with multiple branching storylines that adapt to how civilizations evolve. Cinematic cutscenes and immersive voice acting enhance the story, drawing players into the world and making them care about their civilization's fate.
Epoch Wars would breathe new life into the RTS genre by addressing its main challenges. By making the game more accessible to new players, offering innovative mechanics and providing a compelling single-player experience, it could appeal to a wider audience. Evolving gameplay and a focus on player choice would keep the experience fresh, while hybrid multiplayer options would ensure a loyal community.
This game could redefine what an RTS can be, making the genre relevant and exciting again, for veterans and newcomers alike.
OBS: The game I was talking about is SPORE, this whole function and mechanic of evolution is the defining point of this game and is rarely seen or dealt with well in RTS games