What is an MMOSTR?
MMOSTR is a strategy MMO as opposed to turn-based strategy. An MMOSTR does not use a random division of time into game turns.
The word “real-time strategy game” was first coined by Brett Sperry. The first time the word was used was in 1992. It was used to designate the genre of the game Dune II, which was designed by the Westwood Studios group. The aim was not to characterise the title Dune II as a strategy or war game. The MMOSTR is an equivalent of the MMORPG. During this period, the latter corresponded effectively to a niche market, apart from games designed by Sid Meier. Thus the studio was afraid to discourage some gamers from opting for the novel game concept of Dune II. A multitude of iterations were thus necessary in order to choose a new name. The developers vacillated between different words such as ‘real-time war game’ or ‘real-time war’. In the end, the term “real-time strategy game” took the cake. Indeed, the developers of Dune II felt that it ideally defined the game concept of the title.
Nowadays, the definition of the MMOSTR genre is still a matter of debate. Real-time strategy games are generally characterised by the words “harvest, build and destroy”. They are military strategy games with elements of management and base building, where the action takes place simultaneously. MMOSTRs are very present in MMORPGs 2018. Therefore, while the action in a title like SimCity is in real time, it is not seen as a real-time strategy title. They are most often referred to as “god games” and, although they have similarities to real-time strategy titles, the two genres are not the same and attract distinct audiences. This definition also excludes from the genre titles such as Rome: Total War, where the combat is simultaneous but the game experience is subdued by its turn-based strategy stages. Finally, titles such as Empire at War, Rise of Nations or Battle for Middle-earth can be included in the genre, with turn-based strategy being just another element.
Principles of MMOSTR
Although the technical criteria of MMOSTRs have been gradually optimised, the game concept has changed little since the genre first appeared, despite the integration of new concepts in some titles. This is why the basic concept of MMOSTRs is still characterised by the “harvest, build, destroy” system and by the rules issued by the title Dune II and reproduced since a wide range of titles in this genre including the following games: Warcraft, StarCraft or Age of Empires. In these MMOSTR games, the gamer must generally take care of his resources perfectly, design bases and build units in order to defeat the enemy. In addition, the gamer is limited in time, and the aspects of speed and management are central to the game. Nevertheless, there are many Free To Play MMORPGs that are real-time strategies.
See also >> Glossary