[alex-mohr]

Look at Screeps: World [0] for depth in a programming base-builder RTS.

You write the code for each of your units, either natively in Javascript or Typescript, or via WASM you can run Rust, Python, etc. You use a private server or join a shared MMO world. There's a free sim [1] to try out the basics, though the actual game has much more depth. And an active Discord for help [2].

There's also a variant Screeps: Arena [3] that focuses on 1:1 PVP battles with ranked ladders if you prefer short-lived matches to a long-running world.

[0] https://store.steampowered.com/app/464350/Screeps_World/

[1] https://screeps.com/a/#!/sim

[2] https://discord.com/invite/RjSS5fQuFx

[3] https://store.steampowered.com/app/1137320/Screeps_Arena/

[jader201]

I knew about this one, but was turned off by the review talking about the base CPU isn't enough, requiring a subscription.

[alex-mohr]

I get that, but IMO it's not an issue.

On one shard you can't use more than base CPU, so there's no advantage to a subscription there.

Other optional shards are almost entirely people who subscribe. Do that too if you decide to, or ignore them.