Episode 16: Why AAA Studios Abandoned RTS – And Will They Ever Return?

Real-time strategy games once dominated the gaming landscape, defining entire eras of PC gaming with classics like Command & Conquer, StarCraft, and Warcraft 3. But in 2024, AAA developers seem to have all but abandoned the genre. Why? And is there a path back for big-budget RTS games? In this episode of Critical Moves, Tim and Al dive deep into the decline of AAA RTS development, analyse failed releases like Homeworld 3 and Age of Empires 4, and explore why indie developers might be the last hope for RTS fans.

The discussion kicks off with an examination of recent strategy game releases. Despite the success of smaller indie projects such as Beyond All Reason and Falling Frontier, big-name RTS games have struggled. Homeworld 3, once an eagerly awaited return to form, turned into a massive disappointment. Age of Empires 4 failed to capture the magic of its predecessors, while Stormgate, despite being developed by ex-Blizzard veterans, hasn’t made the impact many hoped for. The hosts question whether AAA developers have lost interest in RTS due to shifting player habits, market trends, or simply an inability to innovate within the genre.

The conversation then shifts to the core issue: what changed in the gaming landscape that made RTS games fall out of favour? One major factor is the rise of other strategy subgenres. Grand strategy games like Stellaris and Crusader Kings have attracted players looking for deep, complex systems, while MOBAs like League of Legends evolved from RTS roots and captured the fast-paced competitive audience. Additionally, the mainstream gaming audience has drifted towards more accessible and controller-friendly experiences, favouring consoles over high-end PC gaming, where RTS traditionally thrived.

Tim and Al also discuss innovation – or the lack thereof – in modern RTS games. Features like strategic zoom, first introduced in Supreme Commander, should have become standard in the genre, yet many newer RTS titles refuse to adopt such mechanics. Instead of pushing the boundaries of gameplay, AAA developers have largely played it safe, churning out remasters and sequels with little evolution. The result? Stale experiences that fail to engage players, leading to commercial failure and further disinterest from big studios.

Despite this, the hosts argue that RTS games are far from dead. The torch has simply passed from AAA giants to indie developers. Games like Sanctuary: Shattered Sun, Falling Frontier, and Tempest Rising show that passionate developers can still create exciting and innovative strategy experiences – without the constraints of corporate oversight. In fact, modern development tools have made it possible for small teams (or even solo developers) to produce RTS games that rival AAA productions in quality and scale.

A fascinating discussion emerges about what the future of RTS should look like. Should RTS games incorporate new mechanics from other genres, such as the city-building elements of Stronghold or the tactical RPG systems of Warcraft 3? Could we see a new era of hybrid RTS games that blend strategy with survival, roguelike, or even immersive sim elements? Tim and Al argue that breaking the rigid mold of traditional RTS might be the only way forward if the genre is to experience a true revival.

As the episode nears its end, they discuss one potential wildcard: Warhammer 40K. With Games Workshop’s massive push into mainstream media – including a collaboration with Amazon and Henry Cavill – the franchise is primed for new big-budget games. Could Dawn of War 4 be the game that finally brings AAA studios back into the RTS fold? What would it take for a Dawn of War sequel to succeed where so many others have failed? The hosts pitch their ideal Dawn of War 4: a sprawling, galactic-scale campaign with real-time space and ground battles, inspired by Empire at War and Battlefleet Gothic: Armada.

The episode wraps up with an open call to RTS fans. Who should develop the next great RTS? Which indie studio has the potential to take the genre to the next level? And more importantly – should AAA studios even try again, or is the future of RTS firmly in the hands of passionate, independent creators?

If you’re a strategy gaming fan, this episode is essential listening. Whether you’re a nostalgic RTS veteran longing for the golden age of Command & Conquer, or a modern gamer excited about the innovation in indie strategy games, Tim and Al provide a thought-provoking discussion about where the genre has been, and where it might be heading.

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