Strategy video game

Strategy video games are a genre defined by an emphasis on tactical and strategic planning. Unlike action games, which reward quick physical reflexes, strategy games prioritize a player's ability to outthink an opponent. Players typically hold a godlike view of the game world. This high perspective allows them to oversee large areas and manage many different units. Control in these games is often indirect. A player might select a unit by clicking it with a mouse and then issuing an order from a menu.

This method allows a single player to command entire armies or complex economies simultaneously.

These games are generally divided into two primary forms based on their time-keeping. Real-time strategy (RTS) games feature gameplay that proceeds continuously without pauses. In these titles, the action is constant and can feel very fast-paced. Turn-based strategy (TBS) games function through discrete turns. In a TBS game, players take turns making their moves, much like in a board game.

Because of this slower pace, turn-based games often feature stronger artificial intelligence. The extra time allows the computer to perform more complex calculations. Conversely, RTS artificial intelligence is designed to manage many units quickly to match the human player.

While warfare is the most common theme, strategy games involve many different mechanics. A player must often balance combat with economic management and exploration. Many games require players to manage limited resources. These resources can be converted into new units or buildings, such as factories.

Players can also spend resources on research to unlock upgrades. These advancements are often organized into a technology tree. A technology tree is a series of linked advancements that unlock new capabilities. Some games, especially 4X strategy games, are known for having exceptionally large technology trees. To reach specific goals, experienced players may use a build order. This is a linear pattern of production and research similar to a chess opening.

Exploration is another vital component of the strategic experience. Many games use a design technique called the fog of war. When a game begins, the landscape is often shrouded in darkness. As a player's units move into these areas, the darkness is lifted to reveal the terrain.

However, an area may become dim again if the player does not actively patrol it. This allows enemies to launch unexpected attacks from the shadows. Terrain also plays a critical role in success. Units may gain or lose advantages based on the landscape, such as hills or water. Some games even include complex elements like diplomacy and espionage to manage conflict.

It is important to distinguish strategy games from other similar genres. While action games might require some thinking, they lack the large scope of a true strategy game. Strategy games are also different from puzzle games. A puzzle game requires planning in isolation, whereas a strategy game requires planning around a conflict between players. Furthermore, they differ from construction and management simulations. These simulations focus on economic challenges without the need for direct action against an opponent. However, some authors consider city-building games to be a part of the wider strategy genre.

Strategy games also differ from role-playing games (RPGs). While both involve managing numeric attributes, strategy games focus on large numbers of similar units rather than a few unique characters.

There is also a distinction between the terms strategy and tactics. In many games, tactics refers to how troops are used in a specific battle. Strategy refers to larger goals, such as building an economy or choosing a military doctrine. Some games focus purely on combat and are called real-time or turn-based tactics. These tactical games usually provide a fixed set of units and downplay resource management. They focus on individual battles or small sections of a much larger conflict. Some designers, such as Chris Taylor, have even suggested that real-time strategy titles are more about tactics than true strategy.

Finally, the settings for these games are incredibly diverse. They can range from historical periods, like the Napoleonic era or World War II, to science fiction and fantasy. Some games are even set in alternate histories where historical facts have been rewritten. The scale can also vary, with some games offering grand strategic views and others focusing on smaller naval or space theaters. Whether a player is managing a single city or a galactic empire, the core challenge remains the same: using superior planning to achieve victory.