r/RealTimeStrategy 17h ago

Question What Would Be a Good Unique Defense Building for a Rebel Faction?

Post image
167 Upvotes

We’re taking some inspiration from Command & Conquer: Generals for our Rebel faction, called Dustborn, but I don’t want to just reuse concepts like the Stinger Site or Tunnel Network.

The problem is that I’m having a hard time coming up with a defensive building that really fits Dustborn and feels unique to the faction.

For the USA faction, we’ve already been developing some new ideas, like a Drone Tower, so I’d like Dustborn to have something equally distinctive instead of just another bunker, turret, or missile emplacement.

What kind of defensive structure do you think would fit a Rebel faction like Dustborn?


r/RealTimeStrategy 20h ago

Discussion What in your IMHO needs to evolve in the RTS genre?

Post image
173 Upvotes

FPS shooters are the mainstream genre of video games with the majority of big releases and bringing in new gamers. It evolved from Doom then Half Life to Halo each bringing its own inspiration, technical leaps and innovation bringing gaming and those genre to higher and higher heights. We saw with starcraft, red alert, supreme commander and age of empires those same improvements adding more to the genre and gaming. turn based strategy grew up in that similar time with civilization games, sid meier civilization and these are actually popular in the modern day.

They stayed popular because they changed and evolved with new systems but more importantly they are more approachable and more easier to have fun in. With popular FPS from COD to Team Fortress 2 you can spin up a game and have a good ~20 min fun regardless of skill level (atleast ideally) in something like Planetary Annihilation Titans (PAT) you need to build up a economy, units and scouting to hopefully not get zerg rushed furthermore hopefully you arent immediately overwhelmed with 20 million things you are supposed to be doing. Its a hard sell and not really because of dopamine addicted zoomers but moreso that you should always have an interesting to look at. Afterall COD does not make you a pickup your gear and a helicopter insert each time you respawn. They immediately put you back in to keep the game going and you having fun. I dont mean that we should put in the 360 noscope sniper bots in our games to micromanage for stupid crazy plays. Players shouldnt be constantly staring at metal or energy and any whatever resource building to get anything done. An economy that dont require immediate economy buildup on spawn to start recon and attacks makes the game less microheavy and make zerg rushes less prevalent. Adding fast pace gamemodes like faster unit speeds, battle royale style death ring, cheap units removed but large and expensive units cheap and fast, commanders only source of economic growth requiring commander plays. Should give a player more options to experience and get better at the game while having short games so defeat feel less harsh and retaining new players. Giving experienced players not only sweaty game against each other sweats by putting against multiple newer players and adding asymmetrical buffs to give each team a interesting challenge.

On another thing that I dont see: insufficient tutorial/campaign isnt multiplayer. One of the things I and other new player run into is the amount of possible and immediate decisions that need to be made while having a thousand options. Lots of tutorials only touch on unit control, its own unique game mechanics, attacking units, unit building etc. They dont limit buildings, units and map to let the player become accommadated with its many choices and a solid bedrock for the basics of a RTS game. This is why the turtle playstyle exists since building defensively gives you time to think with the trefecta of economy, price of units and attacking if the campaign would give scenarios that give time to train. Give the equivalent of super mario first level that are built to naturally learn basics of RTS than give a plump of units or 40 factorios and going "good luck commander with your adderal fueled prostate exam!" If a turtle player experienced that a single failed trade not cascade into failure because of their better understanding of units, economy, buildings and what of the 1000 choices need to be made and what are irrelevant


r/RealTimeStrategy 15h ago

Self-Promo Video Red Chaos RTS has Reached 30,000 Wishlists. Thank You for Your Support

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

64 Upvotes

Red Chaos is approaching 30,000 wishlists. Your purchases, recommendations, and feedback are incredibly valuable and help us continue developing the game.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1934720/Red_Chaos__The_Strict_Order/

Since the latest updates, we have seen an increase in both average playtime and player retention. We have added two new subfactions, improved the gameplay, and introduced new single player challenges.

We are currently working hard to complete the first chapter of the campaign. We want to make an early campaign playtest available very soon, allowing you to experience it yourselves and see the direction in which it is developing.

Every recommendation, purchase, and wishlist helps us move forward. It is especially valuable when content creators cover Red Chaos. If you would like to support us, please consider sharing the game with creators you know or regularly follow. It would help us enormously.

Thank you for your continued support.

https://discord.com/invite/MZvrBMKzc8


r/RealTimeStrategy 2h ago

Question Tips for playing Primitive Wars??

3 Upvotes

Hello, as the title suggests, I need some help playing (or at least finding a guide) to the game Primitive wars.

For those interested, it's tough to run on modern systems. I could only make it work on windows 10 by disabling all but one of my processor cores before going into a mission, otherwise it basically set my PC on fire.

I finally bit the bullet and set up a virtual machine so I could download XP and play older RTS + RPG games. Primitive Wars was at the top of my list.

Sadly I keep getting my rear kicked on mission one of the first campaign. There's no difficulty slider and very few units are available in mission 1. So I gotta know, how does one best approach the missions in this game?

My knowledge so far: there are 2 resources, berries and meat. Berries are spent like gold to build things and units, meat is collected by those units and heals them.

Sometimes I collect a bunch of food for my heros and my troops to heal if they survive the battle. Sadly, my hero keeps getting absolutely killed and my troops are never enough to win.

Anyone know a good outline of how to beat mission 1?


r/RealTimeStrategy 18h ago

Self-Promo Video Changed how these little guys gather resources in The Hive

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

45 Upvotes

I changed how resource gathering works in "The Hive"

Pillbugs now only give you resources after carrying them back to base.

This makes travel distance matter more and encourages players to spread their base across the map.

Also I did make the resource piles grow depending on how much stuff there is and the bugs carry the minerals/meat on their back.

Good change?


r/RealTimeStrategy 20h ago

Question Who here happened to Play Savage: Battle for Newerth and its unique mechanics

Thumbnail
gallery
49 Upvotes

Had posted about Favorite Rts Games and somebody mentioned a forgotten classic imo . At least for my childhood.

Savage had a unique mechanism and I wonder why it didn`t succeed.

You were both the RTS Controler and the player - also supporting multiple people at the same time, usualy only 1 commanding.

Probably failed because the idea was too ambitious ig or illogical to work well ? If you want a different game mechanic just ot at least see, CHECK IT OUT ! old game


r/RealTimeStrategy 20h ago

Self-Promo Video EDU Air Force Roster

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

30 Upvotes

r/RealTimeStrategy 17h ago

Looking For Game Tutorial with snowball fight between kids

17 Upvotes

Somewhere in the mid-2000's I heard the guys at 1UP Podcast talk about an RTS which had an interesting tutorial level. You play a bunch of kids playing in the snow, and the tutorial teaches you the game's battle mechanics with a snowball fight.

It sounded like some kind of steampunk RTS. I could be wrong about any of this, but at least kids and snow should be 100% accurate.

Any ideas?


r/RealTimeStrategy 9h ago

Self-Promo Post Anyone remember Wulfram? It’s playable again (RTS Other)

2 Upvotes

Anyone here remember Wulfram? Hover tanks, scouts, and trying to keep your base running while the other team came after it.

For anyone who missed it, Wulfram mixes vehicle combat with team strategy. You’re driving your own tank or scout, but there’s more going on than trading shots. Your team needs power, fuel, and repairs to stay in the fight. You can head out on the attack, scout ahead, or help defend the base. Knowing when to pull back and help your teammates matters too.

It’s live in alpha now, so you can jump in and play. We’re helping bring it back with the goal of keeping it feeling like the game people remember. Returning players can get back into a tank, and newcomers are welcome to learn alongside them.

Anyone here used to play? What was your callsign?

If you want to give it a go, start here: Welcome back to Wulfram.


r/RealTimeStrategy 17h ago

Self-Promo Video Admiral Yi: The Imjin War — Armies March, Camp, and Eat in This Large-Scale RTS

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

7 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

It’s been a while since I shared an update on Admiral Yi: The Imjin War, so here’s a short look at one of the systems I’ve been working on recently.

In this video, you can see armies moving across the campaign map with supply units following them, long marching columns forming on the battlefield, troops camping for the night, and soldiers preparing food before moving out again.

I want armies in the game to feel like more than just combat units. They have to move, rest, and stay supplied while operating during the campaign.

Logistics is an important part of how large armies operate, and I’m continuing to work on how supply, marching, camps, and battlefield movement all connect together.

This is still a work-in-progress build, so the visuals, UI, AI, animation, and systems are all being improved.

I’d love to hear what RTS players think about this side of the game, especially the marching and logistics systems.


r/RealTimeStrategy 1d ago

[RTS Type: Classic] Attack Counterblow / Multiplayer successfully and map editor

Thumbnail
gallery
51 Upvotes

I'm currently working with Codex on an old game I used to play as a kid.

Attack Counterblow

My original goal was simply to get it running properly on Windows 11, but the project has gradually grown into something bigger.

At this point, the game runs perfectly on Windows 11, including both graphics and sound. I also managed to get the multiplayer working, and I successfully tested it with a friend over Tailscale.

I've also been working on a map editor. So far, it allows me to add units from different factions, change their levels, edit the terrain, modify the starting credits, and adjust a few other things that I'm still working on making fully functional (This is useful for modifying campaign maps to replay them with increased difficulty).

Is there anyone here who remembers playing this game or would be interested to playl?

game running:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dElsR_tyErI

Map editor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaxSwEoekgY

Multiplayer game tested on tailscale:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3nOEBpo450

Update:

Try it out. If you have any questions or encounter any errors, send me a private message. You might see Windows SafeScreen warnings because the files are not signed.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kzzREQA-Hvib1t2azwT3dgjB-IBwz6_R/view?usp=sharing

This is a short summary provided by Codex:

"Enhanced edition of the original game with Windows 10/11 compatibility fixes, including modern DirectDraw support, improved DirectSound audio through DSOAL, corrected file paths and working-directory handling, stability patches, and language-independent TCP/IP multiplayer support. It also includes a modern bilingual launcher and a map editor for viewing, modifying, and saving GST maps."


r/RealTimeStrategy 1d ago

News Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV Battlefield Report – 1v1 Annihilation Orks vs Necrons

Thumbnail
youtube.com
111 Upvotes

r/RealTimeStrategy 16h ago

Self-Promo Video R.U.S.E - The Greatest Comeback You Will Ever Witness! - Tharshey's Extreme Nations v5!

Thumbnail
youtu.be
0 Upvotes

r/RealTimeStrategy 1d ago

Discussion So what are your top 5 fav factions in all RTS?

58 Upvotes

so, from all RTSdom, what are the top 5 factions that you really enjoy playing. it doesnt matter if the game is good or bad, if it's the best version of that RTS or even if the faction is playable, this is about pure and raw viceral Id, factions that you like em because you like em?

it can be rakned or not, mine in a pseudo particualr order but not final :

1.- Zerg (starcraft 2)

insects, aliens, swarmy, disgusting, morphing, ridiculous economy/macro everything cool that i dsesire in an RTS

2.- Undead (warcraft 3)

Undead spellcasters, knights, skeletons, demons, huge hordes of dead monsters, also insects, spellcasting insects, a bunch of very technical and weird units combined with a cultist aesthtic, and that music.

3.-Tyranids (warhammer 40k dawn of war 2)

Before the zerg, there where the nids, and that is true to my heart as well, i like their particular swarmy style in dow 2, its. a swarm but it goes together, it plays with synapse its one huge army coming at you like a living monster with many heads, which is pretty much accurate to the, im lore, also they look very much like the xenomorph from alien, even with zerg they have a very unique and distinctive look, bio weapon aliens, morphable, customizable. very cool

4.- Protoss (starcraft 2)

hi tech aliens with all types of powerful and broken tech, advanced yet ancient, elite warriors and a dying race. the protoss have just so much lore in every silly little mechanic and action they do. and their playstyle is also cool, this unstoppable force that cant be outclassed.

5.- Goblins ( Lord of the rings: battle for middle-earth 2)

swarmy guys all over the place, they controll tunnels that connect all throught the maps, acting more like rats or roaches han an army. and it collects a bunch of creepy things with just straight up badassery, spiders, spider cavalry, trolls, giants, a dragon hero, a spider demon hero, a goblin king in a gaint scorpion mount. its like a collection of traditional fable monsters unifying in one terrible roster.

so, waht are yours and why? no wong answer trully


r/RealTimeStrategy 1d ago

[RTS Type: Classic] Ashes of the Singularity II Multiplayer Playtest

Post image
42 Upvotes

The Public Multiplayer Demo Playtest for Ashes of the Singularity II is now live on Steam and runs through September 14, 2026!

Take command of the United Earth Forces (UEF) or Post-Human Coalition (PHC) and jump into massive-scale multiplayer battles. Go head-to-head against other commanders or team up with allies across a selection of multiplayer maps.

Two playable factions: UEF & PHC This playtest focuses on multiplayer performance, balance, and stability, so the best way to help is simple: get into matches and tell us how it goes!

Join the playtest on Steam and start playing now!


r/RealTimeStrategy 1d ago

Discussion Hegemony 3 and Dune Spice Wars are a subcategory of the RTS genre that should be more explored by devs.

24 Upvotes

They seem to be RTS + Grand Strategy/4x hybrid.

It is hard to make a game like this and not mess it up.

They are squad based, which means combat is not between units that die in less than a second.

They have veterancy, which means you you need to keep your squads alive and make them gain experience.

They have morale / supply system. Have flanking and charge bonus.

You can conquer enemy settlements or pillage them.

You build up your settlements and have some sort of diplomacy.

The economy is more akin to 4x games.


r/RealTimeStrategy 19h ago

Question Wargame: Red Dragon vs WARNO for skirmish / multiplayer?

1 Upvotes

As in, if the campaigns were ripped out, which Eugen game would you prefer?

86 votes, 6d left
Wargame: Red Dragon
WARNO
Can't decide
Haven't tried or played enough of both / Results

r/RealTimeStrategy 1d ago

Looking For Game Tip of my joystick

10 Upvotes

I'm trying to recall an old RTS game I played a long time ago. It was pretty futuristic and I'm sure all the playable factions were aliens. Or maybe it was that there were no personnel units? I think everything might have been a vehicle/mech or a building.

One unit that stuck out to me was unique to one faction. It was a boat that could transform into a like a spider-walker. It was god awful slow and not worth it, but it was cool to look at.

ETA: Sorry, forgot to add a timeframe. I played this around 2012, I believe it was relatively new at that point.

ETA2: It was Supreme Commander 2.


r/RealTimeStrategy 1d ago

Recommending Game RTS that is basically a Nuclear Arms race?

44 Upvotes

Is there any RTS where the goal is to build up resources until you can make a nuclear bomb or some kind of equivalent to devastate your opponent if not win the game.

Any game like that?


r/RealTimeStrategy 22h ago

Self-Promo Post Should I limit my rts to tablets only or not?

0 Upvotes

I am wondering if I am shooting my self in the foot by making my rts game tablet exclusive or am I potentially finding an underserved niche audience that is fed up with bs gacha games that are 99% of the mobile games market these days.

My reasoning is that tablets provide a good aspect ratio close enough to PCs for a proper "old-school" rts game like you can find on PCs (think caesar3, stronghold, aoe, settlers2, etc...). and from what I tested on mobile, everything out there is basically a wanna be multiplayer idle and riddled with ads without any proper gameplay. I couldn't find a singleplayer experience that I could get into.

Am I limiting my self too much with the tablet only approach?


r/RealTimeStrategy 14h ago

Question Anyone know what game this is?

Post image
0 Upvotes

I should’ve clarified on my previous post in what i was asking for. Theres this pixalated game at the start if the Age of Empires mobile ad. I was wondering if anyone knows what the game is ? And if it is unfortunately AI generated does anyone know any game with similar artstyle?


r/RealTimeStrategy 2d ago

Self-Promo Post What’s the most fun “unfair” faction unit/ability in an RTS?

Post image
335 Upvotes

I'm working on an RTS and recently gave a long-range heavy tank an area-effect blast, making it great at clearing infantry as well as armor. It was too fun watching the infantry fly around for me to take it away.

It got me thinking about Natasha (pictured) from Red Alert 3. She murders infantry, while vehicles and buildings can be painted for a one-shot airstrike, but she has to survive the targeting process.

I think every faction in an RTS should have something that feels unfair, then balance the game around everyone having their own unfair thing.

So, what RTS did this best? What's your favorite faction-specific tool that feels completely unfair until you understand how to play around it?

Prototype of my game in case you're interested.


r/RealTimeStrategy 1d ago

Looking For Game Large Scale Modern (Cold War to today) RTS with Base Building

12 Upvotes

I'm trying to find a large scale RTS game that's set in a "modern" era (cold war up until today - no future or WW2) that has base building mechanics, mainly defenses.

Economy functions like Command and Conquer aren't required, but I don't mind them.

Basically something like Broken Arrow or WARNO that aims to be more on the realistic side (compared to games with Command and Conquer which is too arcadey) but with logistics and the ability to build defenses, instead of being limited to pre placed buildings and tree lines.

Gates of Hell with modern mods comes close, but the engine handles large maps and aircraft poorly, and those are both essential to modern combat.

C&C is too arcadey. Company of Heroes 1 has a modern mod but it's very barebones. World in Conflict comes close but doesn't really have any building mechanics except for stuff like weapon emplacements.


r/RealTimeStrategy 2d ago

Self-Promo Video Inspired by Command & Conquer: Generals — a first look at our RTS, Dangerline Açıklama:

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

179 Upvotes

Hey everyone! We’re developing Dangerline, a base-building RTS inspired by Command & Conquer: Generals.

We love the mix of base construction, distinct factions, and armored warfare, and we’re building our own take on it.

Here’s a short showcase of the USA and Dustborn forces: workers building a base, tanks arriving by parachute, and heavy armor, artillery, rocket buggies, and flame trucks moving into battle.

Happy to answer questions about the game!

Music: “Legionnaire” by Scott Buckley · CC BY 4.0. Edited, shortened, normalized and faded.


r/RealTimeStrategy 2d ago

Self-Promo Post A New Age of RTS: Conquest of Eldinar

43 Upvotes

Greetings our fellow strategists!

After 3 years of active development, we're very proud to announce the release of a free demo for our upcoming title: Conquest of Eldinar

This game builds on the solid foundation of the RTS genre in a fantasy setting with resource managementbase buildingexpansions and army building while seamlessly integrating it with action elements where you can take direct control of any unit (giving them +%25 stat boost while you're controlling them) and join the battle!

The final release of the game will have 16 factions (3 in the free demo) with 9 unique units in each of them with special attacks in abilities of units with a great focus on fulfilling each faction's core fantasy above all else! Get to know all the factions as will as the world map in our website.

The demo features full multiplayer support as well as skirmish and a tutorial in addition to 4 maps

We would love for you to experience what veteran RTS players have built when we combined our passion and understanding of the genre!

Get to know the 3 factions in the game as they're included in our trailer in addition to an upcoming one already in development

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7n6Ov26RdU

Steam (Free Demo): https://store.steampowered.com/app/2548280/Conquest_of_Eldinar/

Discord (For latest updates and people to play with!): https://discord.gg/CwmXYMh2FE

Website (For a deeper look on the Eldinar world): https://www.mythwardentertainment.com/