Real-time strategy

Real-time strategy games are based on the players' ability to control and manipulate characters and assets in real-time (as opposed to turn-based) to secure territory and challenge one another in battle, generally with elements of resource management. They can also include AI opponents, which can substitute or add to human players.

Brett Sperry of Westwood Studios coined the term to promote Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty which popularized the genre and became its archetype. Typical elements of a real-time strategy game include a fog of war emphasizing exploration of the map, resource-gathering to fund key projects such as building or unit construction, development of a technology tree, and differing factions - a format exemplified by acclaimed series such as Command & Conquer, Age of Empires, Warcraft or StarCraft. Games such as Company of Heroes and Iron Harvest also feature control points which could be gained for the advantage of the controlling party.