Why AAA Studios Abandoned RTS

[Al]

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In Episode 16 of Critical Moves, we take a hard look at why major AAA studios have largely stepped away from real-time strategy games. Once a dominant genre, RTS has seen a decline in big-budget releases, leaving indie developers to carry the torch.Key topics include:

• The shift in the gaming industry that pushed AAA studios away from RTS.
• Why indie studios are now the driving force behind modern RTS games.

We also discuss whether AAA publishers will ever return to the genre and what it would take to make RTS a mainstream success again. Expect strong opinions, historical context, and a few rants about missed opportunities. And finally, find out how you can join the Critical Moves Podcast team!