Strategy games have been developed since the 6th century AD with Chess, which became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages. In the 20th century, board wargames such as Tactics II challenged players to manage their armies, plan their attacks and make strategic decisions. Real-time strategy games emerged in the 1990s, with a wider scope than wargames, emphasising multiplayer and high production values. Turn-based strategy games offer depth and complexity, harking back to Chess and wargames, with one of the most successful being Sid Meier’s Civilization, which spawned a successful franchise. Present-day hybrid strategy games offer some of the best of both worlds, blending turn-based strategy with the fast-paced action of real-time games such as Total War whereby armies can be built and factions developed.

The Evolution of Strategy Games: From Chess to Civilization

Strategy games have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries. They challenge the players with complex decisions and require them to think ahead and plan their moves carefully. The earliest known strategy game is Chess, which originated in India around the 6th century AD. Since then, strategy games have evolved and diversified, incorporating new themes, mechanics, and technologies. In this article, we explore the evolution of strategy games, from Chess to Civilization, and trace the major milestones in their development.

Chess: The Oldest Strategy Game

Chess is a two-player game that simulates a medieval battle between two armies. The game is played on a square board of eight rows and eight columns, with each player starting with 16 pieces, including a king, a queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king by putting it under attack from which it cannot escape.

Chess became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, and it evolved over time, with new pieces, rules, and strategies being introduced. The game has been studied extensively by mathematicians and computer scientists, who have developed algorithms and programs that can play at a superhuman level. Today, Chess is still played by millions of people around the world, both in person and online.

Board Wargames: The Emergence of Modern Strategy Games

In the 20th century, a new form of strategy game emerged: the board wargame. These games simulated historical military conflicts, such as World War II, and required players to manage their armies, plan their attacks, and make strategic decisions.

One of the earliest and most influential board wargames was Tactics II, published in 1958 by the Avalon Hill Game Company. It featured a hexagonal board, cardboard counters representing military units, and a rulebook that was several pages long. Tactics II was followed by many other wargames, such as SPI’s Squad Leader, AH’s PanzerBlitz, and GDW’s Europa.

Wargames became popular among hobbyists and military enthusiasts, but they were also criticized for their complexity and their focus on violence. Nevertheless, wargames paved the way for more sophisticated and diverse strategy games.

Real-Time Strategy Games: A Faster Pace and a Wider Scope

In the 1990s, a new genre of strategy games emerged: real-time strategy (RTS). These games differed from turn-based games, such as Chess and wargames, in that they allowed players to make their moves simultaneously and continuously, without waiting for their opponent’s turn. RTS games also had a wider scope than wargames, as they often involved resource management, base-building, and unit production.

One of the earliest and most influential RTS games was Dune II, released by Westwood Studios in 1992. It was based on Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel Dune and allowed players to control one of three factions vying for control of the desert planet Arrakis. Dune II introduced many of the features that would become staples of RTS games, such as a fog of war, a minimap, and hotkeys.

Other successful RTS games followed, such as Warcraft, Command & Conquer, and Total Annihilation. These games emphasized fast-paced action, multiplayer competition, and high production values. They also paved the way for more complex and diverse RTS games, such as StarCraft, Age of Empires, and Rise of Nations.

Turn-Based Strategy Games: More Depth and Complexity

While RTS games dominated the strategy genre in the 1990s and early 2000s, there was also a resurgence of turn-based strategy (TBS) games. These games harked back to the Chess and wargames of old, but they also incorporated new ideas and mechanics.

One of the most successful and influential TBS games of this era was Sid Meier’s Civilization, released in 1991 by MicroProse. Civilization allowed players to control a nation from prehistoric times to the present day, developing its culture, economy, diplomacy, and military. The game was highly praised for its depth, its replayability, and its educational value.

Civilization spawned a franchise that has continued to thrive to this day, with new sequels and expansions being released regularly. Other notable TBS games of this era include Master of Orion, Heroes of Might and Magic, and XCom.

Hybrid Strategy Games: The Best of Both Worlds

In recent years, strategy games have increasingly blended elements from different subgenres, creating hybrid games that appeal to a wider audience. These games combine the tactical depth of turn-based games with the fast-paced action of real-time games, or they mix strategy with other genres, such as role-playing, simulation, or city-building.

One example of a successful hybrid strategy game is the Total War series, developed by Creative Assembly. These games combine turn-based strategy with real-time tactical battles, allowing players to manage their armies, build their factions, and conquer their enemies. The Total War series has covered a wide range of historical periods and settings, from ancient Rome to feudal Japan to the Napoleonic Wars.

Another example of a successful hybrid strategy game is the Europa Universalis series, developed by Paradox Development Studio. These games blend turn-based strategy with real-time events and decisions, allowing players to control a nation from the 15th century to the 19th century, shaping its economy, religion, politics, and war. The Europa Universalis series has been praised for its depth, its complexity, and its historical accuracy.

Conclusion: Strategy Games as a Reflection of Human Nature

Strategy games have come a long way since Chess, and they have evolved and diversified in many ways. They have incorporated new themes, mechanics, and technologies, from medieval battles to historical conflicts to futuristic civilizations. They have challenged players to think ahead, plan their moves, and adapt to changing circumstances.

However, strategy games also reflect something deeper about human nature. They simulate conflicts and competition, but they also simulate cooperation and negotiation. They simulate risk and reward, but they also simulate creativity and innovation. They offer a glimpse into the complexity and richness of human experience.

As the world changes and evolves, so will strategy games. They will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, offering new challenges and opportunities for players to explore. They will continue to inspire and entertain people around the world, as they have done for millennia.