Few concepts capture the essence of the modern world as effectively as globalism. In the latter half of the 20th century, it emerged as the transformative force that truly connected people on a global scale. However, it also introduced numerous variables into the economy and geopolitics, shaping the world we know today. These variables have been the root cause of various crises and small-scale conflicts. The consequences of these challenges are often borne by third-world countries, which remain in desperate...
The Second World War was arguably one of the most horrific events in human history. It claimed the highest death toll of any war and its unprecedented scale overshadowed all previous conflicts. Perhaps this is why society has struggled to move on from it. A brief look at modern media reveals how frequently we revisit stories from that era. This is largely because it is often regarded as the last so-called “true war” that humanity fought collectively. This sentiment is...
Legacy in gaming is challenging to define. It can either provide a solid foundation for a game to thrive or set a bar so high that no future game can reach it. In this sense, legacy truly embodies the concept of a double-edged sword. Yet, despite this challenge, many games have built enduring legacies and succeeded, while others have stumbled. Among these legacies, perhaps the most intriguing is that of Age of Empires. When Age of Empires IV was released,...
Big news, RTS fans! The demo for Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is launching early next year, but there’s something you can do right now to support the game: wishlist it on Steam. Wishlisting helps us immensely by signaling to the almighty Steam algorithms that Sanctuary is a game worth watching. If you’re as excited about the next generation of large-scale RTS as we are, hit that wishlist button today: To mark the occasion, I sat down with one of Sanctuary’s developers,...
Avancadia, an indie studio based in Switzerland, is bringing something new to the RTS table with their latest title, Arcane Wilds, which has just launched in Steam Early Access. Combining the rugged charm of the Wild West with the mystical allure of fantasy, Arcane Wilds promises a unique experience for both RTS newcomers and veterans alike. This isn’t just another resource-gathering RTS. In Arcane Wilds, resources don’t magically teleport back to your base. Instead, they stay at their gathering sites,...
Homeworld 3 is set to receive its final major update as Blackbird Interactive prepares to “close this chapter” on the once-revered space RTS series. Scheduled for release on November 21, Update 1.3 promises significant changes, refining both combat and the campaign experience. While the news marks the end of new content for the game, Blackbird remains committed to ensuring a stable and enjoyable experience for players. When Homeworld 3 launched in May, it sought to reignite the magic of a...
OpenRA continues to be the go-to platform for fans of classic RTS games like Red Alert, Command & Conquer, and Dune 2000. This open-source project brings timeless strategy games to modern systems, enhancing their playability while staying true to their roots. And now, a brand-new playtest version, Playtest 20241116, introduces a host of exciting updates that elevate the experience further. One of the standout features of this release is the introduction of post-processing effects. These graphical enhancements give the game...
Blizzard just pulled off a classic move – dropping remasters of Warcraft and Warcraft 2 with no prior warning. The reveal coincided with the company’s 30th anniversary celebration, featuring a trailer packed with side-by-side comparisons of the original graphics and the new, hand-drawn visuals. Let’s address the obvious question: why remaster these classics now? While the Warcraft 2 remaster had leaked, the first Warcraft was a surprise. According to franchise manager Brad Chan, these updates aim to respect the games’...
The RTS genre often feels like it’s been on life support for years. When you think of the classics – Command & Conquer, StarCraft, Warcraft – they’re pillars of the genre, but they also represent a bygone era. Today’s releases, even those born from the indie boom, rarely stray from those established formulas. That’s why Hyperwar stands out. It’s not here to pay homage; it’s here to redefine the genre with bold ideas and a modern approach. Previously known as...
In gaming, few stand the test of time, and even fewer are remembered fondly. Of all the games to have done so, perhaps none is more iconic than Age of Empire II. The RTS classic that brought about the golden age for the genre. And even now, 25 years after its initial release and 11 years after its HD definite edition, fans still want more. To which the developers have responded by announcing a new series of DLCs under the...
Innovation and advancement are the two major pillars on which modern gaming stands. This is why different genres have periodically risen to mainstream popularity throughout history. However, those that couldn’t adapt to changing times faded into obscurity. The RTS genre has recently seen a resurgence in popularity, largely due to the significant innovations introduced by many indie studios. Yet, amidst this wave of innovation, many have forgotten what made RTS games from the golden age so memorable. It wasn’t cutting-edge...
Modern conflicts are rarely explored in the RTS genre. Even when other genres, such as FPS, attempt to tackle these themes, they often take creative liberties to avoid referencing any specific real-world forces or powers. Games like Warno and War Game have delved into modern conflicts but tend to focus on self-contained, small-scale skirmishes. Truly epic-scale RTS games that depict present-day conflicts are uncommon—until now. ICBM Escalation, the upcoming game from SoftWarWare, releases on November 21st and offers players a grand,...