Strategy games are one of the oldest of all video game genres, coming from a respected pedigree of tabletop games such as Chess. Since the first computerized strategy game appeared in 1972, the genre has evolved more than any other and spawned numerous sub-genres.

But all success comes with a price, and as we close in on nearly four decades of strategy games, talk is that the genre is tapped out. Despite spawning best-sellers like StarCraft, the genre remains a niche market for a relatively small percentage of gamers. As gaming continues to mainstream, the percentage of players willing to put in the effort to master the complicated mechanics of a strategy game, when they can simply pick up and play modern streamlined games, continues to shrink.

But this is where the future of strategy games lies. AAA studios like Valve and Blizzard are laying their money on broadening the genres accesibility. And why not? Strategy games have a long shelf life because the fun comes from participating in a multi-player setting. Easy to play, but difficult to master is the name of the game for the genre’s future and there are plenty of games out there that seem to fit the bill.

Games like Defense of the Ancients 2 are letting the computer’s AI handle unit micromanagement, allowing the player to step more into the more visceral role of the hero, supported by his comrades, rather than puppeteer. The upcoming End of Nations seeks to take this a step further, combining RTS gameplay with MMO-style level progression. The classic Age of Empires series latest incarnation debuted a free to play model that’s in vogue with many game developers. A skill-match system ensures players who choose not to buy upgraded units via micro-transactions can still have fun, but Microsoft is betting that most players will pay to play bigger.

Overall, the genre is suffering in this transitional period between the physical media business model and the DLC and micro-transaction models that seem to be the next step for financial success. If they’re to make it work they’ll need to bring along the aging strategy fanbase to a new billing model, while attracting new, younger players. The future of strategy gaming is looking bright, and if developers can navigate through the industry’s growing pains successfully, we may be looking at a new golden age for the genre.

Age of Empires developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Studios.

Defense of the Ancients 2 developed by Valve Corporation.

End of Nations developed by Petroglyph Games.