Frank Klepacki says RTS genre isn't dead and urges developers to be more creative

GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed

Composer Frank Klepacki said the real-time strategy (RTS) genre isn't dead and urged developers to be more creative, as reported by PC Gamer from comments he shared in the latest issue of Edge. PC Gamer notes Klepacki is a long‑time RTS fan and composed the soundtrack for Eye of the Beholder 2. The article described the RTS genre as diminished relative to its 1990s peak, citing Command & Conquer, Warcraft, and Dune 2 as examples. PC Gamer published the piece on 14 October 2026.

What happened: Frank Klepacki told the latest issue of Edge that the RTS genre "isn't dead" and that he would like to see developers be more creative, as reported by PC Gamer.
Why it matters: PC Gamer describes Klepacki as a veteran game composer who created the soundtrack for Eye of the Beholder 2 and says he is openly an RTS enthusiast.
Context: PC Gamer characterizes the RTS genre as diminished compared with its 1990s prominence and lists Command & Conquer, Warcraft, and Dune 2 as representative titles from that era.
What next: PC Gamer's report does not include any developer responses, announced projects, or concrete industry plans in reaction to Klepacki's comments, so it is not confirmed whether studios will change direction.

What changed

Frank Klepacki publicly stated that the real-time strategy genre "isn't dead" and encouraged developers to pursue more creative approaches; PC Gamer reports these remarks came via the latest issue of Edge.

Before and after

Before: PC Gamer frames the RTS genre as having had its heyday in the 1990s with games such as Command & Conquer, Warcraft, and Dune 2.
After: The article describes the genre as diminished compared to that period, and Klepacki's comments are presented as a call for renewed creativity rather than evidence of a resurgent scene.

Limits

PC Gamer's piece does not report any specific examples of developers adopting Klepacki's suggestion or any announced RTS projects responding to his remarks.
The report centers on Klepacki's perspective and his credentials as a composer (including work on Eye of the Beholder 2) rather than on new product announcements or measurable industry changes.