Total War RTS with a controller works dev says
The classic rivalry between strategy and input devices has long defined the world of Real-Time Strategy. While many fondly remember the golden age of RTS games being mastered via the precision of a mouse and keyboard, the question of whether a gamepad can truly handle the frantic pace of war remains a persistent myth.
Yet, even in this traditional stronghold, innovation is pushing boundaries. Creative Assembly, the studio behind the sprawling Total War series, is actively committed to bringing their epic scope to console players, notably with the release of Total War: Warhammer 40,000.
This move isn’t just about porting games; it’s about challenging long-held assumptions about how strategy games should be played. Dave Petry, a key battle product owner at the studio, firmly believes that the idea that a controller cannot effectively manage an RTS is simply a myth. For him, the gamepad is not a limitation, but an accessibility tool—a way for players to engage with the strategy in the way they want to.
“Controllers are an input method,” Petry explains. “They are an accessibility tool. We’ve always wanted to bring that experience to people who want to use a gamepad.”
The studio’s commitment to this philosophy is backed by successful implementations in other titles. Creative Assembly co-developed Halo Wars 2, which Petry cited as a strong example of how controllers can be implemented effectively in an RTS setting. This demonstration proved that the fluidity and complexity of real-time command can be successfully translated across different input methods.
While the deep mechanics of Total War involve intricate build orders and turn-based decision-making, the real-time combat is where the action truly shines. The team is confident that the technical foundation is in place to make real-time battlefield engagement smooth and intuitive for all players.
This confidence comes from a belief that the technical hurdles have been cleared, and the focus now is on continuous evolution. Creative Assembly is clearly proud of the technical achievements, positioning the studio not just as masters of historical strategy, but as pioneers in making grand strategy accessible to every kind of player.
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