Frank Klepacki Says RTS Is Alive but Needs Bolder Ideas
In an Edge interview, composer Frank Klepacki rejected the idea that real-time strategy is dead, saying the genre still has releases and attention shifts in cycles. He noted that RPGs and flight sims have also gone through ups and downs. Klepacki wants big-budget developers to take more creative risks, arguing that indie games are filling a gap left by a shrinking middle tier.
Klepacki, known for Eye of the Beholder II's music, has deep ties to real-time strategy. He told Edge that claims of the genre's demise are premature, noting RPGs and flight simulators have also seen fluctuating popularity.
He attributes limited big-budget experimentation to a weakened middle tier, with indies taking creative risks. Recent activity includes a new Warcraft III campaign, an upcoming Game of Thrones RTS, returning Company of Heroes and Ruse, ongoing Age titles, Tempest Rising, and StarCraft projects.
Klepacki's comments could reassure RTS fans and developers that the genre retains cultural relevance, potentially encouraging more experimentation from studios. If larger publishers respond, players may see more varied strategy titles, while indie creators might gain visibility. The discussion may also shape how industry observers frame genre health, though its direct societal effect is likely limited to gaming communities and the broader entertainment market.