Become a pro understanding Real-Time Strategy (RTS)

Real-Time Strategy is a subgenre of videos games that involve most of the following elements:

- The proper administration of units

- The proper administration of Structures

- The proper administration of an economy

- A map

The definition of REAL-TIME STRATEGY is as follows (Wikipedia: Real-time strategy):

"In an RTS, as in other wargames, the participants position and maneuver units and structures under their control to secure areas of the map and/or destroy their opponents' assets."

With this in mind, let's look at how it can improve your gameplay. But first let's look at the common gameplay of RTS games (Wikipedia: Real-time strategy):

"In a typical real-time strategy game, the screen is divided into a map area displaying the game world and terrain, units, and buildings, and an interface overlay containing command and production controls and often a "radar" or "minimap" overview of the entire map."

We can see that the winner of every RA game will always be the best tactician. It's not always the one who has the best 'Q' or the faster builder or the one who 'clicks' faster or even the one who rushes first. There are many other weapons in your arsenal that will help you win the game and thwart those other 'skills' such as diplomatic, informational, military, and economic resources.

You may win a game by harvesting all the ore on the map first, without resolving to attrition warfare (Military strategy in which a belligerent attempts to win a war by wearing down the enemy to the point of collapse through continuous losses in personnel and material, again Wikipedia) or you may win a game by knowing what strategy your opponent will do and countering it.

This idea is supported by two other concepts of RTS games, and they are Micromanagement and Macromanagement.

Let's look at definition from Wikipedia:

Micromanagement - "Micromanagement refers to when a player's attention is directed more toward the management and maintenance of his or her own individual units and resources."

Macromanagement - "Macromanagement refers to when a player's focus is directed more toward economic development and large-scale strategic maneuvering, allowing time to think and consider possible solutions."

In short, in the early stages of RA your attention is more oriented towards Micromanaging your economy and defense. Macromanagement comes in once you have established a secure resource income. At this point, you should be launching your pre-mediated strategy. These ideas support that it is the better tactician who will win because they are managing two hemispheres of RTS games, whereas some newcomers may only be Micromanaging.

The difference between tactics and strategy

From what is understood, strategy refer to the manipulation of a plethera of events, units, structures and an economy. Tactics focuses more on winning individual battles on the field.

Scenario 1: Placing a tesla will cost you alot of time. But it will defend your base from a 5 tank-rush (provided you have a minimum of 3 tanks). This is an example of Tactics.

Scenario 2: Selling your CY to produce 3 more heavy tanks during the last seconds of the game. This is a strategic move. It takes into consideration your economy.

It should be noted that both are necessary on the battlefield.

If you want to learn more visit the Wikipedia article: Real-time strategy.

Is it possible to apply these tactics in life? Maybe business tactics and strategy or how about school?