Gheh, well, you know what my problem is with a SW3D 100% RTS?
Space RTS's are a strange genre at the moment - and RTS these days is mostly how much particles and light-effects can I put in an explosion. It requires perfect balance, smooth, minimalistic interfaces and a lot of time and dedication. Most of all, it's a huge job. I ain't against, but I ain't for it neither. There are many good ones approaching: JTF, Command & Conquer, ParaWorld... This is a small grasp of what's coming up coming years, and RTS will (and is starting to) manifest itself on consoles too (probably starting with the Wii).
Vice's space sims are 'utterly great' - to repeat that poll. His expertise in the genre definetly shows. If he'd want to do RTS, I'd start out with tactical options like in Arvoch (F1-F2), and expand them more and more into some sort of tactical console. Just staying 1st/3rd person, not birdseye/isometric. No recourses and stuff, or maybe do recourses.
1st person combat/trading mixes with limited forms of RTS, something definetly within your range. RTS itself is very hard to do - and I'd rather see something safe with high potential among space simmers then something with high risk.
Vice, ever heard of the GTA-approach? Missions pop up on your radar, and you're offered with the choice of using pre-placed equipment (for example, a car) or your own stuff (steal a tank). In SW3D Games, that would leave place for for both type of sims. A 'combat' player can use the fleet/squad/ships he's offered, for a little payment (which he earns back with succesion payment) and ofcourse a fine for losing stuff. All he'd have to do in between is jump to the next missions. The navigation map would then act as some sort of menu, instead of a navigation console. All the player would do is click on the mission symbol of the desired mission and jump. He'd need to buy some fuel every now and then, but he earns enough in missions. A 'merc' player can take his own squad, buy ships and equipment and maybe have some interesting twists in missions. The navigation console would then be used as usual.
I'm still someone who'd prefer saving to be limited to stations/radar range of stations, by the way.
[Edited on 10-10-06 by tha_rami]
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