real-time strategy

American  

[ree-uhl-tahym strat-i-jee, reel] / ˈri əlˈtaɪm ˌstræt ɪ dʒi, ˈril /

noun

Digital Technology.

1. a genre of video games in which a player battles enemies, faces environmental challenges, or achieves a goal while other player characters and nonplayer characters are playing simultaneously, without sequenced turns or rounds of play (often used attributively). RTS

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Etymology

Origin of real-time strategy

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

The real-time strategy series puts players in the role of historical leaders charged with managing resources and armies as they seek to conquer or control the world.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

Under Kotick, many Blizzard staff members with experience developing real-time strategy games left the company.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2023

Although my memories of its combination of real-time strategy and puzzle elements were still a little hazy when I started The Wild at Heart, I picked up on the strong resemblance instantly.

From Slate • May 25, 2021

They include sports-based titles, like Madden as well as real-time strategy games, fighting games or first-person shooter simulations.

From Washington Post • Aug. 26, 2018

I’ve been playing back since Orcs & Humans, the first real-time strategy game.

From The Verge • Jul. 10, 2015