Halo Wars will not be your traditional RTS

by Dustin Burg { Mar 25th 2008 at 1:45PM }

After getting some quick hands on time with Halo Wars, CVG informs us that Ensemble Studios' latest RTS child is delivering on their promises and will be bringing something new to the console RTS market.

According to CVG, Halo Wars strays from the traditional console RTS controls as seen in Battle for Middle Earth and C&C, instead using a much more simplistic "paint" selection control scheme. Definitely a good thing. Ensemble is even going out of their way to redefine the RTS formula and instead of focusing the gameplay on resource management, you'll have to focus on time management and unit management. Just like in the Halo universe, decisions will have to be made strategically as you'll have to decide when to shoot and when to take cover. Simply stated, Ensemble knows they and Halo Wars are under the magnifying glass and are making it their number one priority to deliver a solid RTS experience. Our fingers are crossed.

[Via HBO]

Tags: ensemble-studios, halo, halo-wars

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

HazyCloud @ Mar 25th 2008 1:57PM

Hopefully Ensemble will get it right. This will be my 1st RTS. Please don't make it hurt, Ensemble. Take it easy on me.

Neuromancer @ Mar 25th 2008 2:16PM

Too bad it's not turn based, that would have been bitchin'!

Oh well, I hope this 'paint' control screen means you draw circles around dudes and then arrows telling them where to go, like John Madden does!

Anyone know if this is going to be one of those RTS's where you have to mine some kind of ore or shit and then build factories that crank out dudes? I really hope not...

JUICED @ Mar 25th 2008 2:20PM

MUST BUY!!!!!!!!!!

itsburnsie @ Mar 25th 2008 2:23PM

Ensemble has a great track record... and after seeing their demo video up on Live and the "paint" mechanic in action, I'm very hopeful for this game.

If Halo Wars does for console RTS what the original Halo did for console FPS, I'll be one happy gamer.

Xanto @ Mar 25th 2008 2:31PM

Please don't let there be stealth missions, please don't let there be stealth missions

Seriously, there's at least 1 in every RTS and it's usually hard

Swede33 @ Mar 25th 2008 2:37PM

Ensemble is very capable. I have a feeling Halo Wars will be awesome.

Vcize @ Mar 25th 2008 2:45PM

"Paint" control scheme sounds kind of like the method that was used in Starcraft 64 where you have a mouse pointer that you control with the analog stick and can drag it to draw a box around the units you want to select, etc.

Incidentally, Starcraft 64 was also the only half-playable console RTS, so this is good news.

Jcarpio @ Mar 25th 2008 2:47PM

Between this game and hopefully a 2008 release of Star Craft2.. it could be a good RTS year.

anyone play Universe at War yet? impressions?

thisguyrighthere @ Mar 25th 2008 3:09PM

"If Halo Wars does for console RTS what the original Halo did for console FPS, I'll be one happy gamer."

You mean over-hype and market the hell out of what is at best a mediocre entry into the genre?

HAHA

If it turns out to be good then great. I love me some RTS but between Universe at War, Supreme Commander and EndWar Halo Wars will have to be more than Halo fanboy porn to get my $60. I'm calling EndWar FTW.

itsburnsie @ Mar 25th 2008 3:15PM

@thisguyrighthere

I knew my comment would draw some idiotic version of this reply... thanks for being that D-bag.

Maverick Saturn @ Mar 25th 2008 3:24PM

I hate traditional RTS, I don't find them strategic at all, its just the same thing, build a base, get an endless supply of reinforcements as long as you have money and keep attacking until the enemy is dead.

I like games with a bit more intelligence, Ground control, mainly because I actually for once think about how my tanks and infantry are placed, tank faced forward and its defence is strong, backwards and it is exposed, switch between secondary and primary weapons, deciding the right time to attack, don't just run in and blow things up.

I hope Halo Wars uses this kind of intelligence, much like Homeworld as well, theres a thinking process, traditional RTS games are too much like FPS titles, even the biggest dim wit knows how to play C&C, it isn't that hard, nor does it use a degree of intellect until you get to harder levels, where the enemy just has a bigger base. Whoa, what a difference that makes.

Star Craft brought something new to the table, Homeworld and Ground Control did too, C&C Red alert and 2 did as well, lets hope Halo Wars can do the same, not just a click on covenant, attack! They are all dead? Oh well, lemme just go buy 600 more.

Teabag @ Mar 25th 2008 3:41PM

I am intrigued by this game. I have never played an RTS before...because there is too much to 'learn' and i don't want to study! And there are so many things on screen and this and that..confuses the hell outta me. I have never even played RPGs like Baldur's Gate or Diablo or Fallout...inventory management was confusing. I played FF7 though with hardcore cheats and it remains of the finest games i have ever played. I have also played Mass Effect but it's more traditional TPS than an full blown RPG.

So yea, i hope Halo Wars will be simple. At least easy to learn. I will be definitely be trying it out when the game releases because of the Halo background.

Gonna try World In Conflict demo now.

Dick @ Mar 25th 2008 4:47PM

@Neuromancer
Hey Guy, You said...
"Anyone know if this is going to be one of those RTS's where you have to mine some kind of ore or shit and then build factories that crank out dudes? I really hope not..."

Well,

You could put a quick stop to any hoping or wishing by simply opening your eyes and reading the post, the article, or anything else on the page.

From the lil snippet above (not even the actual interview):
"instead of focusing the gameplay on resource management, you'll have to focus on time management and unit management"

Sounds like no resource management would translate into no need to, "mine some kind of ore and shit."

Does anyone read the article they post to, or is it blind fire based on a headline? Retards...

IncredibleBulk92 @ Mar 25th 2008 10:21PM

thisguyrighthere It seems your a man after my own heart, this is a clear cash in on the Halo name... and it'll be poor by RTS standards. But Halo nuts will buy it so its being made, oh well

angryguy77 @ Mar 26th 2008 12:41PM

Incrediblebulk, if this was a quick cash in it would have been shipped months ago. This game has been in developement for a long time and it would have been MS that would have approched the developer, not the other way around. You don't have to like the Halo franchise, but your opinion is in the minority here. As a gamer since the nes days, I have seen many games come out over the years. The entire Halo series is as good as it gets. Its right up there with Zelda, Mario and the other big franchises. Before you haters start ripping on the game, mabey you should play it and then we can all see if it was a "quick cash in" like you say.