RTS Esports (2026) – History of Real-Time Strategy Games

If you were around for the RTS boom of the late nineties and early noughties, you're likely no more of a stranger to the genre than you are a stranger to the Gameboy Color, Tamagotchi, or people of all ages wearing remarkably dodgy clothing doing the running man to MC Hammer. Over the years, the real-time strategy games of the nineties and noughties made way to more modern game genres like MOBA games, as well as console-based games. Nevertheless, there remains a die-hard fanbase dedicated to the classics, as well as a more recent spike in popularity due to the rise of esports.

Check out also our articles about FPS, Battle Royale, Fighting Game, Card Game, and MOBA esports.

What is an RTS game

An RTS (Real-Time Strategy) game is a subgenre of strategy video games that involves players making decisions and taking actions simultaneously in real-time. In RTS games, players often have to manage resources, build bases or units, formulate strategies, and execute them to defeat opponents. Popular RTS games include "StarCraft," "Warcraft," and "Age of Empires."

The real-time strategy genre

The real-time strategy game genre is rooted in various previously existing genres/games, making it difficult to define exactly when the first true RTS games were created. Games like Utopia (1981), Cytron Masters (1982), and others are commonly mentioned as some of the first games with RTS elements. Most of these games only included certain elements of RTS games but lacked many of the core features expected in modern games.

The first true RTS games

The first game to encompass all the main features expected in RTS games is generally considered to be Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty. Following Dune II, games like Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Command & Conquer, and Warcraft II were released in the mid-nineties.

The golden age of real-time strategy games

Many players consider the release of Age of Empires in 1997 and StarCraft in 1998 as the start of the golden age. Warcraft III, released in 2002, was one of the first 3D RTS games. From this point, the true RTS genre started to transform into others, like MOBA and RTT.

From then till now – The end of RTS games?

Since 2006/2007, there were very few new RTS games released. StarCraft 2, launched in 2010, is the most recent real-time strategy game to have gained real footing. Recent spikes in interest for AoE and AoE 2 have managed to revive the genre somewhat.

RTS esports of today

Warcraft III

Warcraft III has featured in some of the biggest esports competitions including the World Cyber Games and Electronic Sports World Cup.

StarCraft

From 2003 onwards, StarCraft has been featured in various esports competitions, mostly focused on South Korea. Over four million dollars in prize money has been awarded.

AoE

Age of Empires has a small community of professional players. Recently, AoE and AoE II have seen a massive spike in new players and viewership.

Conclusion

Although the real-time strategy genre hasn't seen much innovation since its peak, it still enjoys reasonable esports coverage. The rich history bodes well for the future.