RTS games are a beloved genre in the gaming community, known for their strategic depth, fast-paced action, and intricate gameplay mechanics.
Whether you’re managing resources, building bases, or commanding armies, the thrill of real-time decision-making keeps players engaged and coming back for more.
What is an RTS Game?
Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games are a genre of video games where players manage resources, construct bases, and control units in real time to achieve various objectives, typically involving defeating opponents or capturing strategic points. Unlike turn-based strategy games, RTS game design unfolds continuously, requiring players to make quick decisions and multitask effectively.
Classic examples of RTS games include “StarCraft,” “Age of Empires,” and “Command & Conquer.” These games set the standard for the genre, featuring elements like resource gathering, base building, and large-scale battles.
In “StarCraft,” players choose between three distinct factions, each with unique units and abilities, to compete for dominance in a sci-fi universe. “Age of Empires” takes players through different historical periods, focusing on building civilizations and waging wars. Meanwhile, “Command & Conquer” offers a blend of futuristic and modern warfare, emphasizing strategic unit placement and resource management.
Modern RTS titles also increasingly rely on high-quality visuals and detailed characters, which often require professional 3D character modeling services to bring unique units and heroes to life.
Designing an RTS Game
When designing an RTS game, the first step is to establish a balanced gameplay loop that keeps players engaged. This involves creating a compelling mix of base building, resource management, and combat mechanics. In “Codename: Ocean Keeper,” players explore an underwater world, collect resources, and upgrade their mech to survive against sea monsters. This blend of exploration, mining, and combat creates a dynamic and immersive experience.
To start, define the core mechanics of your game. For instance, decide how players will gather resources. Will they mine minerals, harvest crops, or extract energy from the environment? In “Ocean Keeper,” players mine crystals and gather artifacts from the ocean floor, using them to upgrade their mech and prepare for battles. This adds a layer of strategy, as players must decide how to allocate their resources effectively.
Next, focus on base building. Your base is the central hub for all operations, so it should be customizable and upgradeable. In many RTS games, players construct buildings that produce units, generate resources, and provide defensive capabilities. Consider how different structures will interact and support the player’s strategy. For example, in “Ocean Keeper,” upgrading the mech with better weapons and stronger armor is crucial for surviving increasingly difficult waves of enemies.

Key Features of RTS Games
Base Building: Base building is a fundamental aspect of RTS games. Players must create and expand their bases, which serve as the primary location for resource production, unit training, and technological advancements. A well-designed base provides both offensive and defensive advantages. For beginners, it’s important to create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that allow for easy base management.
Resource Management: Efficient resource management is key to success in RTS games. Players need to gather and manage various resources to build structures, train units, and research upgrades. In “Ocean Keeper,” players mine different types of crystals, each with specific uses and benefits. Teaching players to balance their resource acquisition with their spending is crucial for maintaining a steady progression.
Unit Control: Effective unit control can turn the tide of battle. Players must learn to manage different unit types, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, and deploy them strategically on the battlefield. This includes grouping units, setting formations, and using special abilities. In “Ocean Keeper,” controlling the mech’s movements and attacks is essential for defending against hordes of sea monsters.
Multiplayer Aspects: Multiplayer gameplay adds a competitive and social dimension to RTS games. Designing balanced multiplayer modes requires careful consideration of matchmaking, lag compensation, and fair play. Offering various game modes, such as team battles, free-for-all, and cooperative missions, can enhance the multiplayer experience and keep players engaged for longer periods.
Roguelike Game with RTS Elements
Integrating roguelike elements into an RTS game can add a layer of unpredictability and replayability. Roguelike games are characterized by procedurally generated levels, permadeath, and a high degree of difficulty. In “Ocean Keeper,” each dive into the underwater world is different, with changing layouts and new challenges. This keeps players on their toes and encourages them to adapt their strategies with each playthrough.
Combining these genres can create a unique and engaging experience. For instance, you can design levels that change with each playthrough, ensuring that players never face the same scenario twice. Adding permanent upgrades that players can unlock over multiple sessions can provide a sense of progression and long-term investment. This blend of roguelike and RTS elements can make for a compelling and challenging game.
RTS Upgrades and Research Design
Upgrades and research play a critical role in RTS games, allowing players to enhance their units, structures, and abilities. Designing an effective upgrade system involves balancing immediate benefits with long-term gains. In “Ocean Keeper,” players use mined resources to upgrade their mech’s combat and non-combat systems, providing a strategic depth to the gameplay.
Consider offering multiple upgrade paths to cater to different playstyles. For example, players might choose between focusing on offensive capabilities, such as stronger weapons and faster attacks, or defensive upgrades, like reinforced armor and improved healing. Each choice should significantly impact the player’s strategy and overall gameplay experience.
Strategy-Based Upgrade Design
Incorporating strategy into your upgrade design encourages players to think critically about their choices. Each upgrade should have clear benefits and trade-offs, forcing players to weigh their options carefully. In “Ocean Keeper,” the decision to upgrade mining equipment versus combat systems can determine how well a player performs in subsequent waves of enemies.
To create a balanced upgrade system, consider the following tips:
- Diverse Upgrade Options: Provide a variety of upgrades that cater to different strategies. This can include enhancing unit abilities, improving resource efficiency, or unlocking new technologies.
- Progressive Costs: Ensure that upgrades become progressively more expensive, requiring players to plan their resource management carefully.
- Impactful Choices: Make each upgrade meaningful, with noticeable effects on gameplay. This encourages players to experiment with different strategies and find what works best for them.
Common Challenges in RTS Game Design
Designing an RTS game comes with its own set of challenges. Balancing gameplay to ensure fair and enjoyable experiences for all players is crucial. This involves fine-tuning unit strengths, resource availability, and map layouts. In “Ocean Keeper,” balancing the difficulty of enemy waves with the player’s ability to upgrade their mech is key to maintaining a challenging yet rewarding experience.
Ensuring AI competitiveness is another challenge. AI opponents should provide a challenging but fair competition, adapting to the player’s strategies and offering varied gameplay experiences. A well-designed AI can keep players engaged and improve their skills.
User interface design is also critical in RTS games. An intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface helps players manage their bases, units, and resources effectively. Providing clear visual and audio cues can enhance the player experience and reduce frustration.
Ocean Keeper: A Deep Dive from an RTS Game Design Perspective
RetroStyle Games has crafted a game that is as visually stunning as it is mechanically engaging. Drawing inspiration from hits like Dome Keeper and Vampire Survivors, the gameplay of Ocean Keeper is an intricate blend of exploration, resource extraction, and intense combat.
Check the Ocean Keeper Steam page

Visuals and Art Style
First and foremost, Ocean Keeper benefits from the studio’s expertise in game art outsourcing. The underwater environment is beautifully rendered, with a richness in detail that immerses players deeply into the aquatic world. The isometric graphics, a staple for RTS games, provide a clear and comprehensive view of the action, allowing players to strategize effectively.
Gameplay Mechanics
Ocean Keeper revolves around three core gameplay loops: exploration, mining, and combat. Each cycle is designed to keep players engaged and challenged.
- Exploration: The game starts with the player descending to the ocean floor inside a crab-like mech. The initial task is to scout the surrounding area for valuable mining spots. The mech moves slowly at first, adding urgency to the exploration phase.
- Mining: This phase is heavily inspired by Dome Keeper. Players drill through various layers of the ocean bed, encountering different types of blocks and extracting resources like crystals (blue, yellow, green), artifacts, and parts of relics. Each type of crystal is found at different depths, requiring strategic planning to gather them efficiently.
- Combat: Similar to Vampire Survivors, this phase kicks in once the mining timer runs out. Players must fend off waves of underwater creatures attacking the mech. The combat mechanics are dynamic, with enemies ranging from basic attackers to those with special abilities like creating hazardous auras.
Resource Management and Upgrades
Resource management in Ocean Keeper sets it apart from other games in the roguelike and roguelite genres. Players must make strategic decisions on how to utilize their resources for upgrades. There are three main upgrade paths:
- Miner Equipment: Enhance the mining capabilities, such as increasing drill speed or load capacity.
- Combat Systems: Upgrade the mech’s weaponry, from basic machine guns to advanced artillery like shotguns and missile launchers.
- Non-Combat Systems: Improve the mech’s overall performance, such as movement speed and defensive capabilities.
Artifacts found during mining can also provide immediate upgrades or unlock new weapons, adding another layer of strategy.

Atmospheric Influence
The atmospheric design draws inspiration from iconic titles like StarCraft, Stormgate, and Project Entropy. This blend of influences creates a tense, immersive environment that keeps players on their toes, whether they are exploring the ocean depths or battling waves of enemies.
Replayability and Progression
The procedural generation of levels ensures that each playthrough is unique, enhancing the game’s replayability. With each wave, the difficulty ramps up, pushing players to continuously adapt and refine their strategies. The meta-currency system allows for permanent upgrades, giving players a sense of progression beyond individual sessions.
Boss Battles
Boss encounters add an extra layer of challenge. In the demo, players face a giant worm that relentlessly pursues and attacks. Successfully overcoming these bosses requires a well-upgraded mech and smart use of the environment and resources.
Conclusion
Creating an RTS game is a rewarding endeavor that combines strategic thinking, creative design, and technical skills. By understanding the core elements of RTS games and addressing common challenges, you can craft an engaging and successful game.
Whether you’re inspired by classics like “StarCraft” or innovative titles like “Codename: Ocean Keeper,” the key is to keep players engaged with dynamic gameplay, strategic depth, and immersive experiences.
So, roll up your sleeves, fire up your game development tools, and start building your own RTS masterpiece. With dedication and creativity, you can create a game that captivates players and stands the test of time. Happy designing!