Poll: will there ever be a "good" console RTS?

[Akas]

Populus DS (? I'm such a loser for handhelds but still) currently in Japanese.

I think if a developer forsakes graphics just a little bit (not because it's necessary but for the ability to handle multiple units), develops a controller to move fast enough, has a screen or section for a map, and has good online play and voice chat, then it's definitely possible. As for finding a target audience well....

...Oh wait, I just described the Nintendo DS (I swear I'm not a fanboy, I swear!). Dammit. Well The Nintendo Wii would work as well, but then again, looking at the audiences for these systems, perhaps not.

The problem isn't going to be finding an RTS for a console system. It's finding a "good" one, meaning:

1. Multiple strategies and counters to said strategies, with unites being somewhat balanced.
2. Ability to fix minor bugs and glitches that occur (which means, on a handheld like the DS, you NEED to have the perfect balance right away. Other systems may release patches/DLC)
3. Ability to play games somewhat pick-up like, meaning that you can just jump into the game.

The problem isn't 3, it's 2 and to a lesser extent 1. Online patching is fine for some systems, but since online doesn't have a 100% attach rate, you can't guarantee things will be balanced or if you'll be able to find people with the same version as you.

 

[redstar alpha]

one of the things i wonder about now is why when ever they port an RTS to consoles then they always tone down the graphics.I mean that in the previous generasions of consoles it was understndeble but with games like C&C 3 having poorer graphics than its pc counter part which is strange since i can run it on full on my lapop without any lag.

 

[redstar alpha]

hitler podiums and whatever the hell else

Awesome game concept right there! A propaganda game, where you have to always convince your nation to blindly follow you and never know the truth.

Put it on the Wii and we may get some great future leaders!

there is already a game like that it is called democracy and is for the pc but it would make a great port for the wii

 

[00exmachina]

I say there all ready has been a good console RTS game, Dune for the sega genesis.

 

[Gnomeking]

Committing the cardinal sin of not reading the posts of everyone who has said the exact same thing:
It really depends on what you mean by "good". I definitely think that, before it was nerfed by Sega, a concept like Spartan: Total Warrior could have worked for the RTS genre. Where, instead of Command and Conquer large scale battles, you command a small unit or squad using advanced AI commands, approximating the conditions of a field command. This would inevitably turn into a hybrid shooter or action game, granted, but it would be a good jumping off point for a uniquely flavored console RTS genre.

 

[Credge]

You don't need a mouse if you use a wiimote. The only issue are keyboards. This problem would be solved if consoles actually recognized (and stored) various gaming accessories.

For example, I recently picked a Belkin Nostromo52 (n52) out of boredom and it turns out it works perfectly for RTS. I use it in conjunction with my wii-mote and keyboard and can easily take out 2 of the highest difficulty AI's now. Compare this to one of the highest and one hard AI from before. I'm still trying to get used to it to boot.

Of course, I'm all sorts of geeked out over my various RTS and strategy games and your average gamer won't ever come close to this level of "wow, you need a life" that I've obtained over them.

 

[portuga-man]

maybe on the Nintendo DS, but then you still wont have all the hotkeys available for pc rts's

 

[viewtiful_dru]

The lot of you want to see a good "PC Style" RTS on console.

That's the problem right there: you don't have to have your RTS in the same vein as a PC one for it to be successful.

Actually, there already has been a GOOD console RTS. It came out in late 2001 for the Nintendo Gamecube. It's called Pikmin.

In essence, in order to make the genre succesful on console, the games have to be developed with the console in mind. We can see from history that PC ports or games that try to use the same mechanisms PC RTS games do work decently at best. I believe that Pikmin accomplishes this gracefully; the gameplay and controls were designed with the GC controller in mind.

 

[Conqueror Kenny]

no. Never. Dont argue. It wont happen.

 

[Break]

Oh, for the love of god. Just because an RTS isn't complicated as fuck doesn't mean it's bad. People are looking for the wrong stuff. Fun console RTS' already exist, they're just not StarCraft. Christ.

 

[stompy]

Oh, for the love of god. Just because an RTS isn't complicated as fuck doesn't mean it's bad. People are looking for the wrong stuff. Fun console RTS' already exist, they're just not StarCraft. Christ.

This guy raises a point. How 'bout something on a smaller scale, and less complicated. So, no massive battles, but more skirmishes and stuff?

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Oh, for the love of god. Just because an RTS isn't complicated as fuck doesn't mean it's bad. People are looking for the wrong stuff. Fun console RTS' already exist, they're just not StarCraft. Christ.

Amen brother!

 

[Joeshie]

Oh, for the love of god. Just because an RTS isn't complicated as fuck doesn't mean it's bad. People are looking for the wrong stuff. Fun console RTS' already exist, they're just not StarCraft. Christ.

Well, I think by good console RTS most people are talking about having the same sophistication and depth that PC RTS have.

Sure, a console RTS might be the same kind of fun that checkers is, but it really doesn't compare to the chess kind of RTS you will find on PC.

 

[Break]

That's exactly the point, though. Nobody expects checkers to be anywhere near as complex and involving as chess, when there're such massive differences in what units you have at your disposal. It doesn't change the fact that you can play a fun game of strategy using only two different pieces.

Thanks for the metaphor.

This guy raises a point. How 'bout something on a smaller scale, and less complicated. So, no massive battles, but more skirmishes and stuff?

Didn't you notice:

Actually, there already has been a GOOD console RTS. It came out in late 2001 for the Nintendo Gamecube. It's called Pikmin.

Or do you think that Pikmin isn't a worthy example of what you're thinking of?

 

[redstar alpha]

Oh, for the love of god. Just because an RTS isn't complicated as fuck doesn't mean it's bad. People are looking for the wrong stuff. Fun console RTS' already exist, they're just not StarCraft. Christ.

This guy raises a point. How 'bout something on a smaller scale, and less complicated. So, no massive battles, but more skirmishes and stuff?

thats what i have been saying an RTS with a few squads like company of heroes witch would work really well on a console.

also most RTS are not the complex at all they normally go like this
rockets good againts tanks bad against infantry
tanks good against other tanks and buildings bad against anything that isnt a tank or a building
infantry bad aginast everything

so it really is not that complex