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Even Blizzard Isn't Sure How to Save the RTS Genre, but MOBAs Might Help

"I wish I could say we knew what the magic bullet was," StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Lead Producer Tim Morten said.

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During an interview with Starcraft II: Legacy of the Void Lead Producer Tim Morten, GameSpot asked about the waning popularity of the the real-time strategy genre, and if Blizzard has a plan to make it more appealing to a wider audience in the future.

In short, even Blizzard, whose StarCraft and Warcraft games helped define the genre, doesn't have a clear answer, but it hopes that the popularity of MOBAs like Dota 2 and League of Legends is a good sign.

"We talk a lot about that internally and there's a hope on my part that the audience that's playing Heroes of the Storm, that's playing MOBA games, will be interested in feeding into more complex gameplay," Morten said. "In a way that's a gateway to what RTS is, and of course grew out of RTS in the first place. I hope there's some synergy there."

Morten added that part of the problem is that RTS games have a steep learning curve, and that Blizzard is trying to address that issue as it's revisiting the tutorial and training missions from the previous games in Legacy of the Void.

Additionally, Blizzard hopes that players will be less intimidated to play online with Legacy of the Void's Archon Mode, a brand new cooperative mode where two players share control of a single base and units.

"But there's a lot more thinking that I'd like to do. it may wind up being the case that it becomes the focus of something in the future, but it is something that we'd like to figure out how to solve. I wish I could say we knew what the magic bullet was."

Blizzard has not yet announced a release date for Legacy of the Void, the third, final, and standalone expansion in the StarCraft II trilogy. You can sign up for the game's beta today at Battle.net.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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TheLeftHandDoom

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they need to slow the games down, and make them more about strategy than the physical mechanics of micro-managment and build order. It needs to be more like chess than simply a question of whether you can rescue your base in time from a sneak attack.

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verysalt

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<< LINK REMOVED >>

Then It would have a lower skill cap. Right now the skill cap is very obvious in between leagues.

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TheLeftHandDoom

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> all right, then keep doing what they're doing and watch the RTS genre get smaller and smaller. The problem with the genre is that there's too much emphasis on the RT and not enough on the S.

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verysalt

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@TheLeftHandDoom @verysalt I think you are right about "emphasis on the RT and not enough on the S". Looks like LotV brings a little bit more emphasis on Strategy than previous parts of SC2.

"Archon mode" alone will allow 2 players to share same gameplay. It must be a big fun as well as good educational tool.

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Avatar image for deactivated-617422934ef91
deactivated-617422934ef91

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I'm not good at those games I just panic.

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CommandoAgent

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Really? its all about practice.

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Tranula

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Warcraft 4

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atopp399

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I like RTS games single player. I think it's because people who play online seem to play so much they just get too good so it's no fun. I really don't care for those arena combat games. The online community is so toxic.

So much for ever getting a new Warcraft game that doesn't have the word "World" in it...

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crazynotstupid

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Newer games have matchmaking, which pretty much solves this problem. You will have an account and the game's online multiplayer system will find other players of similar level to play with you. It's working on plenty of games already. If it works (mostly) on a MOBA like LOL, it should work fine on an RTS.

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Poodger

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<< LINK REMOVED >> It sounds like you just prefer offline gaming. Nothing wrong with that, but it is an observation.

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tmorri603

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<< LINK REMOVED >> I, too, enjoy the single player part of RTS's, I found out the hard way to stay away from online matches. I played once in the first Starcraft and got beat in less than 15 minutes. All I would be good for is padding somebody's stats. I think if you had a great story mixed with the RTS, you can bring the genre back and I believe finally making Warcraft 4 can go a long way to help that. I am sick of World of Warcraft.

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Avatar image for ropumar
ropumar

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<< LINK REMOVED >> With matchmaking,, which perfectky implemented in starcraft 2, online is always fun.

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The_Last_Paladi

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I think I like to play more hybrid RTS games mixed with other types of genres. Not to say that RTS can't hold up by itself, but I know I would be more likely to buy one if it was unique with mixing with other genres like RPG, action, or adventure games. I love the ideals of strategy games a lot but just being a strategy game will only hold my attention for so long. It isn't just this genre I say this about, I tend to feel the same way about action games as well.

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IAmMcGruber

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honestly warcraft 4 with heroes again would be a huge seller IMO....i played the crap outta Warcraft 3.

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so_hai

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The no.1 game on Steam at the moment is an RTS. What needs to be 'saved', exactly?

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scarlloty

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Could you clarify which game you mean? I don't see any RTS there

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so_hai

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> DOTA 2 - (classed as an action RTS)

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Avatar image for Tranula
Tranula

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<< LINK REMOVED >> love the name


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Aver88

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<< LINK REMOVED >> You mean Football Manager 2015? It's not RTS.

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Ultramarinus

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Blizzard makes a HD remake of a 1999 RTS and wonders how to save RTS.


Not stagnating a whole genre for 15 years might be one answer.

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deactivated-5fbd0ee14cee1

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The Archon mode should go a long way , i found myself often bored learning the 1vs1 experience , felt isolated and when you suck it's even worse, playing the same base with a buddy sounds like a good laugh, maybe team based RTS with some PvE modes thrown in is a way forward, neither 2vs2 or Mobas are the answer imo.

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Tranula

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Love.

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Sanligo

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Every single game doesn't need to cater to the masses. Focus on making good games, not on making money.

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gamingnerd121

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@Sanligo Blizzard is seeing interest in their games ever decreasing, and so they're scrambling to find new ways to attract the mass audience. Thing is, what does the RTS genre offer without games that has a higher skill cap? I wouldn't be surprised if they attempted to make Starcraft even more simple as well.

Not to mention that Blizzard does need the money, because of their deal with Vivendi not so long ago. It's all about the money, not the games for them.

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Jegsugerkukk

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RTS died when Microsoft started to focuse on Xbox!

RTS died when Blizzard started focusing on WoW!


Lords of RTS! Microsoft and Blizzard screwed it up letting the genre die.

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SaintJimmmy

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I loved the starcraft series and warcraft series when I was in school because, I had the time to play them

Now that im busy all the time I don't have time to learn the steep learning curve of an RTS anymore I personally don't know what the magic bullet would be for me.

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tommynj

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Guess that is a sign that WC4 is not coming. Time to move on...

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TigerStrike1313

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Magic bullet is Warcraft 4 make it.

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PJDSouza

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@TigerStrike1313 That will definitely get me back into RTS games. I haven't played WoW but Warcraft 3 is still the best RTS I've ever played. I've also not played any of the Starcraft games, so maybe those could be better?

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