Has the strategy video game genre been abandoned?

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  1. EJ Lambert profile image72
    EJ Lambertposted 10 years ago

    Has the strategy video game genre been abandoned?

    Not long ago the world of video games had a wonderful collection of strategy titles like Command and Conquer, Warcraft, and World in Conflict.  Nowadays the genre has largely dried up aside from a few big annual releases.  Is it dead?  Why or why not?

  2. ANDR01D profile image73
    ANDR01Dposted 10 years ago

    You're right in a way. Strategy was a big genre back in the 1990's, but nowadays the focus is on FPS (particularly multiplayer like COD) and MMOs/MMORPGs (World of WarCraft).

    It's evidently not as popular a genre as it once was, but the ones that come along tend to be quality, as is the case with StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That's just my point.  Some of the more recent titles have been excellent.  Why they haven't pursued it baffles me.

  3. Alphadogg16 profile image86
    Alphadogg16posted 10 years ago

    I do not think its dead...yet, but it is dying. Nowadays with the all the combat/shooter games like Call of Duty, Ghost Recon, Halo, Gears of War, etc, they are slowly killing the older games.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That's a shame.  Everyone seems so enamored with being on the ground fighting.  I enjoy control the troops, acting like the general figuring out weaknesses in defenses.

  4. MPChris profile image63
    MPChrisposted 10 years ago

    It is far from dead, my friend.

    There are many MMOs that incorporate sandbox elements, which in turn could be strategic. Wurm Online, for example, is big and sprawling. I built a nation there, its fairly interesting and incredibly awesome.

    Also, many of the strategy titles have become box-less. Strategy was always a niche genre, and spread by word of mouth. Why waste money and resources on things like box art and advertising, if it will net you fewer fans. In the past, it was almost a requirement of the industry, but with steam, no longer.

    Speaking of Steam, go there. Search these titles:

    Anno 2070
    Patrician IV
    Crusader Kings 2
    Hearts of Iron 3
    Victoria 2
    Europa Universalis 4

    The last four titles come from a company called Paradox Interactive. For the last two years, in my opinion, they've put out good real-time strategy games, and have absolutely dominated the market for grand-scale strategy games. HOI3 or CK2 will be a steep learning curve, but its amazing.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Very familiar with Paradox.  Hearts of Iron II is one of my all time favorites.  I'll have to check out those other titles.

  5. Tonyx35 profile image60
    Tonyx35posted 10 years ago

    It seems that way doesn't it? While Strategy games are still being released today, it usually doesn't get the marketing dollars Starcraft II being the Exception.  I can't even count how many times I saw the ad for the CO-Shooter "Fuse" while browsing Youtube.  "XCOM:Enemy Unknown" was released late last year and Company of Heroes 2 is supposedly coming out sometime this year.   

    I usually only find out about recent Strategy releases via word of mouth, message boards, or in "Top" games lists. I also agree with

    MPChris, check out  Steam for strategy games that were quietly released.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I own XCOM and loved it.  I wished there were more like it.  CoH is a title I just got into.  Steam has been my go-to but I still think the genre is under-appreciated.

  6. TNT Husky profile image63
    TNT Huskyposted 10 years ago

    I wouldn't say it's dead, but most big developers today are jumping the gun (literally) to the shooter genre. It seems like the idea of strategy, planning, and tactics have been replaced by "shoot first, questions later" I feel like we're moving on from this genre, though. perhaps strategy games can come back in the near future. Hopefully, some indie developers make some good ones, because the big companies are going to milk the popularity of shooters until the proverbial cow dies. (not to say the games from larger companies are bad. this is just a matter of opinion.) It could also be that other genres are simply getting more attention.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Sadly video games are like everything else.  Trendy.  Shooters are in right now.  It's a shame because I think both could be used in concert.

  7. Souther29 profile image81
    Souther29posted 10 years ago

    I agree it's not as big as it used to be but with the recent release of Fire Emblem for the Nintendo 3DS... I make no bones about the fact that this game was a system seller for many, many people. A very good turn based strategy game indeed.

    It has become a niche genre... but then in Korea Starcraft is absolutely huge and is all about real time strategy and unit management.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I guess every country has a different preference.

  8. Dvd Zermeno Perez profile image85
    Dvd Zermeno Perezposted 10 years ago

    The RTS (Real Time Strategy games) has been overwhelmed by the pro gamers, the gamer is always looking for modern and original game, with awesome graphics and epic story as well, some studios and companies cannot compete against the old ones, like Warcraft I-II-III, Starcraft, Age Of Empires, Command and Conquer.
    Also it's not a very easy and popular genre, you need to spend time and learning the tactics to be a pro gamer, and it's easier and more fast phased in a MMO or in a FPS.
    It depends of the gamer and the abilities of the gamer, I personally love the RTS, specially Starcraft 2.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The relentless pursuit of new gamers makes studios forget the old ones.  That sucks and rather unfair to a genre that really helped launch so many successful series.

  9. JohnGreasyGamer profile image77
    JohnGreasyGamerposted 10 years ago

    On consoles the genre has turned to ice, let alone "its body has gone a wee bit cold", however on PC it thrives and is nowhere near in decline. The thing is though that unless you can make a name known, it will not be replayable for the most part and will not see future sequels. With the shooter genre it's pick up and play, and rarely requires any particular focus, skill, drive or time investment - it's brainless fun, regardless of whether you have a brain or not.

    But strategy games are a science, and they require the utmost attention to detail and planning, and this is something even hardcore gamers can't do with, especially if it's not on a keyboard. There's many a strategy game that players can ace within five minutes, but many are put off initially by the fact that they will have to use their heads for a reward that's equal to not doing so.

    As I say, this genre is nowhere near in decline on PC, but rather it's taking over the shooter market considerably on computers. It's mostly because PC gamers have had a longer history with them, but you ask any PS1 gamer and they'll have no idea Warcraft II: Dark Saga existed on that console, and that's saying a lot.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed.  To me, part of the exhilaration with RTS games was the work you put in.  You knew if you overwhelmed a base and conquered a map it was because of your strategic thinking.  The payoff is so much better than simply shooting my way to the end.

  10. Kitsune87 profile image72
    Kitsune87posted 10 years ago

    I don't really think it's dying or been abandoned. I believe it's a merging genre. Not just a plain strategy. Like The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, a mixture of pure action, strategy and team management. Same with XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Although, I am kinda disappointed that The Bureau ditched FPS in favor of a strategy game. But it still looks fun and amazing. And with a brand new Disgaea game on the horizon, strategy games, and strategy/RPG hybrids looks to be coming back. And a brand new Super Robot Taisen strategy game will snake its way onto the PS3. So, I'm kinda in favor that the genre may be returning, even though the genre is merging with other genres.

    With the new game, Tiny Token Empires and new Magic the Gathering games, I say it's just a matter of where you look, but I think it's likely the strategy genre will make a comeback. But I do agree, many gamers today prefer action platforming, shooters and RPG's. But since everything is evolving, even genres, I don't think it will ever truly die, but evolve.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I admit XCOM was a pleasant surprise.  I own it now.  My beef is that the genre is not readily available like it used to be.  Now it's mainly Steam or the seldom big titled like Starcraft.

  11. ud1093 profile image41
    ud1093posted 10 years ago

    I'm a big fan of strategy games but recently no good strategy game has been released people are behind FPS and third person action etc.
    Games like torchlight 2 ,company of heroes 2,Civilization have still kept the name of this genre i don't know what the future will be for strategy games but I wish it has good games to come.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, it is much thinner than it used to be.  Starcraft 2 is good but can't hold the genre up by itself.

  12. Rabidwombat profile image84
    Rabidwombatposted 10 years ago

    I love strategy gaming, but I prefer turn based strategy which puts me on the worst side of the unfortunate decline of this genre. There are some companies that are still supporting the strategy genre, like Matrix games and Paradox but they are all PC exclusive.If you prefer gaming on a console with the exception of the new X-Com you are pretty much out of luck. The reality is right now strategy gaming is not the hot topic the way it was, so the big developers will shift to what is hot to keep sales going. I hold out hope that gaming genres such as strategy and role playing will come back to level of popularity they saw in the '90s because I personally have always preferred games that require more thinking then twitching.

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I hope and believe it will.  FPS is just the hot choice right now.  In the meantime you should go after Total War Rome II.

  13. toptendeals profile image71
    toptendealsposted 10 years ago

    RTS has definitely diminished.  But hope is not lost.

    To your point some developers are looking elsewhere for funding:
    The team that made Total Annihilation did a kickstarter to make Planetary Annihilation with a goal of $900,000.  They have already received $2.2 million in pledges.

    EA is going to try a free-to-play model and release a new C&C soon.

    Blizzard continues to make starcraft a great E-sport.  They now have an almost espn like broadcast at http://wcs.battle.net

    1. EJ Lambert profile image72
      EJ Lambertposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Total Annihilation is one of my favorite RTS games.  So underrated.  I heard about the new C&C Generals 2.  Very excited.  Starcraft has kept me going.

 
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