Just a random RTS/FPS idea

[ray245]

Is it possible for anyone to create a RTS and FPS hybrid game? Kinda like a mix between battlefield and World in conflict. Where there is multiple sub-commanders in charge of several unit, and will receive an objective by an overall commander.

Basically a RTS without micro-manage and a FPS with proper teamwork required. And if possible, have an even higher level of command, where strategic decision to win the war and not the battle is being made. Like which continent to invade and etc.

More of a MMO war-game where people get to fight a war in real time and having troops which is controlled by a real person instead of a computer program. How long do you think this kind of game can be made?

[Ace Pace]

Question isn't if this is doable, it's where the fuck do you find the playerbase thats full of perfect people to play it?

[wautd]

Is it possible for anyone to create a RTS and FPS hybrid game? Kinda like a mix between battlefield and World in conflict. Where there is multiple sub-commanders in charge of several unit, and will receive an objective by an overall commander.

Basically a RTS without micro-manage and a FPS with proper teamwork required. And if possible, have an even higher level of command, where strategic decision to win the war and not the battle is being made. Like which continent to invade and etc.

More of a MMO war-game where people get to fight a war in real time and having troops which is controlled by a real person instead of a computer program. How long do you think this kind of game can be made?

Isn't there an WW2 MMO that does this kind of thing? Battleground Europe I think (havn't played it myself)

You could also make a point of alliance warfare in Eve online, were leadership is making strategic decisions and the peons under the leadership of admirals fighting for it

[Chardok]

Savage: The Battle for Newerth is what you're looking for.

That is all.

[Marko Dash]

chrome hounds is something like that, is not exactly first person, but most of the team fights as the commander oversees the battle.

[salm]

Check out Iron Grip: The Oppression a Half Life² mod that is exactly what you seem to be looking for. They´ve got a nice trailer on this site.

[Zixinus]

There was also the game Battlezone. I think.

[Sarevok]

Microsoft did release a multiplayer FPS / RTS hybrid called Allegiance. It is not exactly what you ask for but it showed the idea could work. Players fly space fighters like typical x-wing/wing commander/ wing whatever sim while the faction leader controls the fleet and gathers resources, builds structures in a Homeworld like RTS fashion. Microsoft dropped the game soon after release but the players kept it alive by taking over the codebase. The project is renamed Free Allegiance and is free to play.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

Project Reality for BF2 is the closest thing I can think of that currently exists. On a good server (such as Tactical Gamer's), proper chain of command is ideally followed: The commander controls about 6 squads, usually with a specific function (infantry, engineering, air support, etc) while building various battlefield assets like bunkers and firebases for the team. Then the squad leaders lead their squads, be it a mechanized infantry unit or a tank platoon, and some SLs even break their squad down further into fireteams.

Speaking from experience, it is indeed extremely difficult to get that all working properly in a single play session. I've seen it work to brutal efficiency, but it's not easy. Going for more than that, as the OP seems to suggest, which just be an exercise in frustration I suspect.

[Ypoknons]

Battlezone, of course. Perfect blend, even has US versus Soviets.

Battlestations Midway also have both RTS and personal control of units, but it's naval, so it's just planes, ships and submarines - no ground controls can be controlled.

[chitoryu12]

Isn't there an WW2 MMO that does this kind of thing? Battleground Europe I think (havn't played it myself)

Kind of yes, kind of no. The commanders don't play it as an RTS as much as they just decide which towns are attacked and post them up for the guys on the ground.

[Steel]

Natural Selection HL mod did this on a squad(ish) scale quite a while ago...

[PREDATOR490]

Battlezone 2 is something like that. Your basically an FPS soldier who can drive the majority of the vehicles you build.
Can customise them in the different buildings by walking to each building and accessing the terminal.

It also introduces the very cool element of controlling defences and the lone commando on the battlefield. You can snipe enemy vehicle drives then steal their ride or you can use a jetpack to sneak on the enemy while having a building that launches equipment boxes to a place you choose.

Getting into the RTS element requires you to access a terminal in a specific building which makes you completely vulnerable to some lone commando sneaking into it and shooting you. Thus you lose the game. Was quite a good game but it gets rather old quickly.

[Stark]

Battlezone 2 is also shit. Savage was hopeless, too.

The major problem is player balance, of course. People like WiC, and people like driving tanks: but not 8 times as many people. As Savage showed, people also don't like playing according to the commanders, and the different network needs of RTS and FPS can cause problems.

I don't think Battlezone is really what Ray is talking about, it was just a tank game with a map-screen function. He's talking about a multiple tiered, general-commander-tank driver sort of game, I think.

[Darth Fanboy]

SimAnt, totally. Pick what area of the yard you want to focus on while your Black Ant Army wages war all across the yard versus the RED SCOURGE.

[Stark]

SimAnt, totally. Pick what area of the yard you want to focus on while your Black Ant Army wages war all across the yard versus the RED SCOURGE.

Not multiplayer in any way, thus irrelevant?

But WICKED, all the same. Laser spiders, the ultimate thread to yard domination?

[PREDATOR490]

Dont think those kind of games would go very well when relying on open multiplayer. Its just so prone to having some dipshit being the general who does the most stupidist crap ever and wont listen to a damn thing people say.

Regular FPS games can already be a pain in the ass with your average idiot who feels the need to screw the game for others but adding an RTS element would tend to make that both more complicated and cause more damage when you get an idiot behind the controls.

I would think its rather horrible as well for online gaming. The idea of getting involved in a multi hour RTS game while some guys are stuck on the front line the whole time is awkward. Unless you have new people randomly joining and leaving like Battlefied which would throw the RTS component off a bit when your forces are constantly changing.

[Scottish Ninja]

That's the main problem with the concept - I've toyed with the idea myself, and I think it would be quite fun if it could be gotten to work properly - but the real problem is the part where a commander issues orders and his subordinates actually follow them. With most of the people who play games online, no one usually wants to listen to anyone else. The first step would be to solve the problem of "why should I listen to you?" beyond the obvious "so we can actually win" because each individual player is going to have their own different and often conflicting idea of how to win the game.

[ray245]

Well..if it is played between clans, then it will be fun due to clans being able to help the team first instead of going lonewolf.

[wautd]

Ah and who could forget sweet, sweet Muzzle velocity?

[RogueIce]

Well..if it is played between clans, then it will be fun due to clans being able to help the team first instead of going lonewolf.

Yeah, this definately sounds like something for clans and/or LAN parties.

[Chardok]

You could have an option like, when the commander orders you to go somewhere or do something (Kill this guy, build X here, stand here and hold this position) The player gains XP or something. or some kind of a weapon.

[PREDATOR490]

The only real option would be to make these P2P MMOs which would force a certain amount of maturity into the game. Its also going to be helpful for the commander if he could control computer AI forces as well. Thus making him able to fufil objectives on his own should players be messing around.

Wouldnt mind seeing this kind of game within the Command & Conquer setting which would be quite awsome but its going to be exceptionally complicated to make such a game.