Would you play an RTS on the WII U?

[saleem]

Over the past couple of months I've seen quite a few petitions asking for ports of games coming to other consoles. All this is good and fine though personally I dont really see the point of it. The way 3rd parties treat the U do you really want to see another gimped port?

The whole issue had me thinking about the games that I liked to play and one thing kept coming to the fore - RTS. Now ever since last gen its been kinda hard to find a decent RTS on the PC. Yes there are a few out there but no where near as many as there used to be.

I sort of understand why the genre went into a partial decline - more players shifted to consoles but consoles were unable to provide the necessary control schemes to accommodate RTS games, however with the Wii U that seems to have changed. If the Wii U's touchscreen is good enough to play something like W101 or Bayo2 then surely it would be sufficient to replace the mouse as an input device.

That brings me to my point, instead of petitioning for KH3 or FF why isnt anyone courting devs to port over RTS or MMO games on to the Wii U? Games like Sins of a Solar Empire, Starcraft 2, Sword of the Stars would probably fit in quite nicely amongst the Wii U catalog. Lack of a multiplayer base cant really be used as an excuse either since Pure Chess on the EShop has demonstrated that cross platform multiplayer is indeed possible.

Now you might be wondering what my point is? Well I'm hoping that if I can get enough gaming websites talking about the idea maybe it will somehow filter back to devs and inspire them to give it a shot. I'd eagerly pick up a copy of even the command and conquer, the first startcraft or even warcraft if it came to the eshop and I'd definitely pick up one of the newer ones if they came to the Wii U. How about you?

Edit
I have started up a petition to show devs that there might be opportunities to be had in bringing the RTS genre to the Wii U. please sign it at

http://www.change.org/petitions/software-developers-bring-the-real-time-strategy-genre-to-the-wii-u

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

That brings me to my point, instead of petitioning for KH3 or FF why isnt anyone courting devs to port over RTS or MMO games on to the Wii U? Games like Sins of a Solar Empire, Starcraft 2, Sword of the Stars would probably fit in quite nicely amongst the Wii U catalog. Lack of a multiplayer base cant really be used as an excuse either since Pure Chess on the EShop has demonstrated that cross platform multiplayer is indeed possible.

Multiple reasons really.

The prerequisite not enough consoles and Nintendo apparently likes to screw with third party devs can be trotted out again, but there is also the coding of the touch-screen interface, the hardware downgrade (Sins of solar Empire can really tank your processor during longer battles on the big maps) the belief that any console RTS will suck and the WiiU market may not be into strategy games.

That said, it would be nice to see one. Get to work Nintendo!

 

[Foolery]

Nah. Not because I don't think it'll work, I just don't like the genre. I would play an Okami styled game on the Wii U.

 

[saleem]

Multiple reasons really.

The prerequisite not enough consoles and Nintendo apparently likes to screw with third party devs can be trotted out again, but there is also the coding of the touch-screen interface, the hardware downgrade (Sins of solar Empire can really tank your processor during longer battles on the big maps) the belief that any console RTS will suck and the WiiU market may not be into strategy games.

That said, it would be nice to see one. Get to work Nintendo!

PC games generally have much lower development costs then console games in general and as a result need to sell much less. Without the need to make everything hyper real or hyper detailed like in an FPS costs could probably be kept at reasonable levels.

As for touch screen interface, Ninty's Unity kit has everything a dev would need to code to the touch screen so that isnt a barrier anymore. Apparently its just as flexible as the full dev kit. The Wii U sports pretty beefy hardware all things considered, in terms of grunt its probably on par with an off the shelf non gaming oriented PC. Additionally the Wii U is capable of rendering two different images (one one the TV and the other on the pad) without choking so I really doubt power is an issue. You definitely have a point about Sins though however consoles also provide better optimisation opportunities. Unlike a PC where you have to take into account all sorts of hardware configurations here you have only one. Just taking starcraft2 system requirements as an example the Wii U technically exceeds most of the recommended spec levels.

Well Halo Wars sucked hard for sure but what would you expect all things considered when trying to use analogue sticks to control a pointer. The Wii U gamepad is pretty much as versatile as a mouse, you can use the touch scren as an accurate sellector, right left buttons could be mapped to bumpers and triggers, one stick could be used to pan and the other for zoom levels. Taking into account the Dpad, ABXY and the other bumper and trigger thats 10 input options not to mention any virtual buttons on the touch screen.

I'd like to start an online petition for it if possible - who knows perhaps if there is enough interest for them then we might actually get one even if its just a port of Dune.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

Now ever since last gen its been kinda hard to find a decent RTS on the PC. Yes there are a few out there but no where near as many as there used to be.

Out as we speak:

Wargame: AirLand Battle
Wargame: European Escalation
Dawn of War
Company of Heroes
AI War
Men of War
Men of War Assault Squad
Scourge of War
Supreme Commander
Arguably most Paradox games are a sort of real time as well.


To be released:

Planetary Annihilation
Call to Arms
Men of War 2


So, it's not that hard to find brilliant rts games for the PC. I'll happily say that all of those games that are released are absolutely excellent for various reasons. They are not easily accessible though, and so may push off a segment of the market. That's a different discussion though.

As for the WiiU, no, I wouldn't like to play a rts on it. I prefer my PC for that, as it's easier to control and I don't have to use a tv for a screen.

 

[Hero of Lime]

I already did, Pikmin 3! Well okay it's not the most pure RTS experience you can get, but the gamepad's uses for the game went very well with planning my path, locating objectives, seeing where my Pikmin were etc. I used the Wii-mote and Nunchuck combo for the most part, but it was nice to have the gamepad as a complementary tool for the game.

Even if it wouldn't work as well on consoles as a PC, I think Wii U is probably the best one to play a strategy game on out of the bunch.

 

[Yopaz]

Honestly speaking I think I am too set in my ways to change.

I have played rts games with mouse and it's simply hard ro go back. While I think it could work with a touch screen I want mouse buttons with differwnt functions and I want the scroll wheel to zoom out to survey multiple fights at the same time. I imagine touch screen is the only thing that could come close to performing as well as keyboard and mouse, but I don't think it would work for me.

 

[Vivi22]

I honestly don't think most RTS games made for the PC would be a good fit for the Wii U at all. Aside from the fact that the Wii U still doesn't offer nearly the level of control a keyboard and mouse does, playing an RTS on a touch screen sounds fine and dandy until you realize that your hand is always going to be blocking most of your view. That's not a good thing in this genre.

 

[Guffe]

I already did, Pikmin 3!

I was wondering if that doesn't count as a RTS?
I played it, a bit short with only 10 hours of story gameplay but I guess you could go back and replay it trying to do it as fast as possible etc etc.
Otherwise a very enjoyable gaming experience.

As for the OP, yeah, if I find the game enjoyable and fun then I might buy it for the WiiU. Same applies for every game I buy, genre doesn't really matter.

 

[Mullac]

Yeah, I would. The double screen could allow for some quite tactical gameplay.

 

[New Frontiersman]

I'd play it, yeah. It might be interesting to direct my units via the touch screen.
Although I usually play more historically based RTSs such as Crusader Kings or Europa Universalis than Sins of a Solar Empire or Starcraft. Either way I'd definitely be interested in trying.

 

[Hero of Lime]

I already did, Pikmin 3!

I was wondering if that doesn't count as a RTS?
I played it, a bit short with only 10 hours of story gameplay but I guess you could go back and replay it trying to do it as fast as possible etc etc.
Otherwise a very enjoyable gaming experience.

As for the OP, yeah, if I find the game enjoyable and fun then I might buy it for the WiiU. Same applies for every game I buy, genre doesn't really matter.

I would call it more of an action RTS to be honest, or RTS lite. Unlike most RTS games, you still participate in the combat instead of just ordering units to do so. There is still strategy to be had, but that is more applicable to multitasking and time management rather than figuring out how to fight enemies.

 

[Doom972]

Since I don't see myself getting a WiiU regardless, I'd like to think of the question as "Would you play an RTS on a touchscreen device". The answer is: Only if they find a way to make it work.

It used to be accepted that shooters have to be played with a mouse and keyboard, but the current generation proved that they can be played with a controller. It doesn't allow the same amount of accuracy, but it's definitely playable as long as the AI isn't too hard on the player (Just try it in one of the old games where the fast enemies know how to circle-strafe).

I'm sure that a new strategy game could be made to work on a touch screen. The only question remaining is: who would buy it?
Who would want a watered down version of something that works much better on a different platform? Well someone probably. How else could we explain Halo?

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I would play an RTS on the Wii U but I wouldn't rush out to buy one on release day. I played Civ-revolution on the 360 for example but only after it had gone down to a budget price. Someone mentioned Pikmin 3 which I own but haven't yet beaten...it's not a traditional RTS but there are a lot of strategy elements to take into account, same with Wonderful 101 which isn't an RTS but could control like one if imported to PC.

I would try an MMO on the Wii U as well but Japan doesn't want us to have Dragon Quest X...then again, by the way it sold, they didn't really want it either.

 

[GonzoGamer]

At this point I think the only thing that would get me to buy a Wiiooo would be if it got a really sick RTS like a Dawn of War spinoff.

I honestly don't think most RTS games made for the PC would be a good fit for the Wii U at all. Aside from the fact that the Wii U still doesn't offer nearly the level of control a keyboard and mouse does, playing an RTS on a touch screen sounds fine and dandy until you realize that your hand is always going to be blocking most of your view. That's not a good thing in this genre.

But that's the cool thing actually: you also have a TV screen which can show the actual battle. The touchscreen can be your "command table" or whatever with a minimap (more detailed than what you usually get in the corner of the screen) and the commands.

 

[masticina]

.hahaha.. how?

With RTS on consoles one of the first problems you notice is "where is my mouse and keyboard". Controls are horrid, even if they do their best to make it work it is always at most half decent. Really half decent? Is that what you will accept?

I don't, Red Alert..whatever on the PS3 sucks balls. Not the base of the game it is pretty decent but its controls suck. Hence it is unplayable! Its not fun!

RTS really needs something quick and handy like a mouse. A mouse and keyboard just works better in RTS.

So I don't see how the hell on a WiiU you can get a well controlling RTS.

I see how Diablo III [not an RTS] is possible on the PS3 is because Diablo III already is dumbed down on the PC anyway.

But with a full blown RTS forget it. Forget it! RTS + Controller just doesn't works well.
Look I get it the WiiU has a touch based tablet awesome. But is it quick enough to be able to switch to different groups? With keyboard you just define a group with 1 another with 2 and so on. Will the WiiU offer a system like that to for speedy choosing of your specific troops. Or do you have to swing the map choosing your second army then moving it to attack, then go back to your first army on the map with a swing touch movement to find they are now under attack.

 

[saleem]

Hi guys good to see a healthy discussion going on here.

I have started up a petition to show devs that there might be opportunities to be had in bringing the RTS genre to the Wii U. please sign it at

http://www.change.org/petitions/software-developers-bring-the-real-time-strategy-genre-to-the-wii-u

I'm trying to figure out a way to display it as a signature but it doesnt seem like the Escapist forums allow for them. Any way please spread the word.

Just for the record I agree with a lot of folk that just any old willy nilly port of an RTS might not work. However this hopefully can become a starting point for something better down the road it can only get better from here since were starting from literally nothing.

 

[zerragonoss]

.hahaha.. how?

With RTS on consoles one of the first problems you notice is "where is my mouse and keyboard". Controls are horrid, even if they do their best to make it work it is always at most half decent. Really half decent? Is that what you will accept?

I don't, Red Alert..whatever on the PS3 sucks balls. Not the base of the game it is pretty decent but its controls suck. Hence it is unplayable! Its not fun!

RTS really needs something quick and handy like a mouse. A mouse and keyboard just works better in RTS.

So I don't see how the hell on a WiiU you can get a well controlling RTS.

I see how Diablo III [not an RTS] is possible on the PS3 is because Diablo III already is dumbed down on the PC anyway.

But with a full blown RTS forget it. Forget it! RTS + Controller just doesn't works well.
Look I get it the WiiU has a touch based tablet awesome. But is it quick enough to be able to switch to different groups? With keyboard you just define a group with 1 another with 2 and so on. Will the WiiU offer a system like that to for speedy choosing of your specific troops. Or do you have to swing the map choosing your second army then moving it to attack, then go back to your first army on the map with a swing touch movement to find they are now under attack.

Actually an rts where that tight of control is impossible sounds great to me. You are assuming since these things are so important to proper control and skill in pc rts that they could not be designed without them. You can instead have a game where micro is simply much less about contorting units directly and more akin to giving them orders. You add in a slight delay time and slight Imprecision in a units ability to fallow orders. This not only compensates for the lesser precision of the touch screen, you also get a game that is more like an actual battlefield. Overall I like the sound of it much more than the traditional rts.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

the lack of strategy games on consoles is something I'm shocked at. Thing is, the WII could have filled that gap easily. I'm surprised devs never got it through their skulls that they could have used the PS Move or even the Kinect to do that as well. The lack of mouse control in some way has always deterred strategy games on consoles, mostly on the RTS side; for turn-based it's not so bad, as seen by the way Firaxis did a really good job with Civilization Revolution. But anyway, you'd think the Wii-mote and the PS Move essentially being a MOUSE would have made people put two an two together. Even the kinect could have filled the missing pieces as long as they optimized it.

The Wii U's gamepad is definitely an ideal for RTS games. You could essentially have the entire map on it to manage units WAY more efficiently than most other control methods. Pikmin 3 did this MARVELOUSLY with its ability to switch between three different leaders in order to work more efficiently. Any strategy game could benefit from this as you could finally put RTS games on a console without having to sacrifice anything