Here I will attempt to show you a History of Real-Time Strategy Games. I will attempt some kind of Link table type thing after I write this. I will mostly be writing about WestWood and Blizzard releases, but there will also be new technological advances from other games introduced. We will start at 1995, with Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, and Command & Conquer.

1995.

The two biggest RTS games are Warcraft II and C&C. Funny thing is, the companies seem to be duking it out even today. Warcraft II is known as Blizzards big starter, unlike Warcraft, because it utilized new and improved graphics and better unit control. AI was another biggy. C&C is released and instantly loved by the public for it's great unit difference between teams and its new, never before seen plot (WestWood's first RTS was Dune II). From that point on, WestWood Studios and Blizzard Entertainment were 2 very well known companies.

So, what did these two games donate to future RTS games? First, there was Warcraft's graphics, "Fog of War," multiplayers capabilities, and AI, second, there was C&C's team differences. Third, much less known, was the first use of the "morale" system, by Close Combat. It never really caught on until later games though.

1996.

Red Alert is created and introduced. Another point for WestWood. And nothing any other company tried to create came close until 1997.

1997.

Total Annihilation, while not by either company, did become StarCraft's main competitor, like Red Alert was to WarCraft II. Age of Empires also released.

1998.

Forever one of the greatest years in RTS history, the release of StarCraft. With at least 1/40 of the population of South Korea playing it, and not to mention record setting sales in the U.S., StarCraft completed the early years ensemble. After StarCraft, many new features were introduced into the realm of RTS Games. But lets get back to current improvements. StarCraft was the first of Blizzard's games to introduce the Different Unit teams. All three teams were for the most part completely different. The graphics were also amazing. C&C couldn't match up to this until the release of Red Alert 2 in 2000.

2000.

As I said, Red Alert 2, which was one of WestWood's more groundbreaking games. Enjoyed today as much as StarCraft.

2001.

Neither company had a hand in this game. Empire Earth was the first game to bring the Advancing through the ages Type of game to a whole new level. Starting in the Prehistoric Age and ending in the Nano Age, ahead of our time. Games got a little out of hand when they reached 8 players, 5 hours, and still no army that can take down someone else.

2002.

Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos realeased, coming with the sequel, The Frozen Throne.

2003.

To my knowledge, this year is the first to bring forth a game that utilizes the Squad-Based sytem, Rise of Nations. My friend, he knows who he is, was the first to tell me about this great game. I thank him for that.C&C Generals is also released, which, for most people, puts WestWood and Blizzard at the same level, noticed especially for the two new games, C&C: Renegade and StarCratf: Ghost. both are FPS's based on their individual games.

The Game Chart for WestWood and Blizzard