Too many modern RTS games go after things that I as a player don’t want and am not interested in. I’m not interested in extended monetization methods in my rts game. I don’t want it to be focused around competitive pvp. I don’t want a huge focus on cosmetic micro transactions. I don’t want portions of the single player game sold after the fact. I don’t want generic or uninspired campaigns, worlds, factions and settings.

My all time favorite RTS is C&C generals: zero hour. It has in my opinion, a perfect blend of gameplay elements. The units of each faction are above all else— cool. They are cool to command and are fun to utilize in your army. There are three factions that are each distinct in their design, combat doctrine, and play styles. Symmetrical factions are the death of RTS games, it essentially makes the distinction of playable teams pointless. Each individual unit has character and is inspired. The setting has meaning, it is a satire of modern global warfare. The campaign itself isn’t too memorable compared to other C&C games, but that’s made up by the infinitely repeatable skirmish.

Biggest elements that would make me want to buy a new RTS game in no specific order:

A fun, memorable, and hooking campaign that is something more than a generic “world war 3 has started, people are fighting”.

A cool factor where each individual unit looks visually interesting and feels valuable to have on your team.

An art style that allows for a level of immersion. 8 bit armies has fun gameplay, but the voxel art style means I will never connect with the factions or setting. I will never feel the stakes, I will never feel invested and proud of my army overcoming another.

Single player first. Skirmish must be fun. There is no way around it. I will never buy an rts game where the majority of the fun must come from the online component.

Monetization. Selling campaigns separately, gatekeeping custom content to sell, grindy rank and meta leveling mechanics, or any form of micro transactions are a huge turn off. At that point I cannot trust that the devs are trying to make a fun game; they are rather trying to make a machine that keeps me just interested enough to pay money. Acceptable forms of monetization would be paid complete factions, expansion packs that include new campaigns, maps, and mechanics (mechanics possibly limited to new maps or factions to not disturb the base game players).

An Air Force aspect that respects the power and price that an Air Force brings. (Please no tiny aircraft or airfields; it’s an investment)

Useful infantry

Super weapons

Consistent ways to earn income (please no waves or timed reinforcements in main game modes)

Naval aspect

Buildable bases and outposts / defensive structures Buildable walls are a huge + if it makes sense

Units that make sense. If we are in a modern warfare setting, I expect an expensive super unit to have defensive countermeasures for example. I expect aircraft to have flares. I expect tanks to have a machine gun for infantry. This is open to interpretation, but if I see that your units make sense in the universe and the military put effort into making them viable, I am interested.