- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Posted by: Grand Kai
Wikipedia; RTS: Real-time strategy, often abbreviated RTS, is a genre of computer games characterized by being wargames which take place in real-time, where resource gathering, base building, technology development and direct control over individual units are key components.
Wikipedia; RPG: A role-playing game (RPG, often roleplaying game) is a type of game in which the participants assume the roles of fictional characters and collaboratively create or follow stories. Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization, and the actions succeed or fail according to a formal system of rules and guidelines.
To me they both sound like the same thing. In both genres, you need to try and improve your characteristics in which you make the game better for yourself. (building bases, improving weapons etc.)
While both a RTS and a RPG deal with improving characteristics, what differs is the scale at which you make these improvements.
In a RTS, you command resources and leveling up on a (relatively) large scale, dealing with hundreds of soldiers.
In a RPG, you command your party, a small squad, where much more emphasis is placed on the individual.
Some FPS games also contain elements of character-improvement; Counter Strike and its save-money-for-weapons feature comes to mind, as does Bioshock and its customize-your-weapon-to-do-crazy-things feature.