firstRTS: An Open-Source RTS Game Built with Godot 4.2

Forum topic · 小凯 · 2026-03-06

Summary

firstRTS is an open-source real-time strategy (RTS) game project developed with Godot 4.2 and GDScript, inspired by StarCraft and Red Alert. It features a deterministic lockstep synchronization architecture shared between online multiplayer and replay systems, enabling fully reproducible match playback. The game offers procedural terrain generation via FastNoiseLite, a complete gameplay loop (resource gathering, building construction, unit production, combat, and victory conditions), multiple fog-of-war modes, and a visual replay system with progress control, speed adjustment, and player statistics. Two factions—Steel Alliance and Shadow Tech—feature distinct units, with Shadow Tech fielding shielded units. LAN multiplayer uses ENet (UDP) on port 7777, with single-player AI covering economy, unit production, and attack pacing. Resources include Minerals and Energy, with starting values of 400 and 200 respectively. The project also supports multilingual UI (Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English) and is currently at v0.1.0 Alpha.

firstRTS is an open-source real-time strategy (RTS) game built on Godot 4.2 (GDScript), with gameplay and style inspired by *StarCraft* and *Red Alert*.

GitHub: https://github.com/igofreely/firstRTS

Core Features

Deterministic lockstep architecture: Online play and replays share the same command execution pipeline, making full match replay reproducible
Procedural map generation: Noise-based terrain with fixed spawn points and symmetric resource layouts
Complete RTS gameplay loop: Gather resources → build structures → produce units → scout and attack → victory/defeat resolution
Multiple fog-of-war modes: No fog, full blackout, terrain-visible, and permanent reveal after exploration
Visual replay system: Progress bar, playback speed, pause, player statistics, command logs, and camera modes

Resource System

Minerals: Basic resource for construction and unit production
Energy: Required for advanced units and buildings
Default starting resources: 400 minerals, 200 energy

Factions

Steel Alliance
Shadow Tech

The two factions differ in unit naming and stat design (Shadow Tech includes shielded units).

Game Modes

Single Player (vs AI)

Configurable fog of war, game speed, starting resources, and language
AI difficulty logic implemented (economy, unit production, attack pacing)

LAN Multiplayer

Room-based LAN communication via ENet (UDP)
Lockstep command synchronization for consistent execution across clients
Default port: 7777

Replay Mode

Automatic recording during matches (both single-player and online)
Progress control, speed adjustment, pause, command logs, and statistics panel
Replay directory: user://replays/

Tech Stack

Engine: Godot 4.2 (GDScript)
Networking: ENetMultiplayerPeer + RPC
Sync model: Lockstep (fixed tick + input delay)
Pathfinding: Path planning + local avoidance
Map system: Procedural generation with FastNoiseLite
Fog of war: Real-time updates via Image/ImageTexture
Localization: Custom LocalizationManager with translation tables

Controls

W/A/S/D or arrow keys: Move camera
Left mouse button: Select units
Right mouse button: Issue move/interact orders
H: Jump camera to main base
B: Show build shortcut hints
Alt+Q/W/E/R: Place barracks / factory / defense tower / power plant
Enter: Open/send chat
Esc: Close chat/panel or open game menu

Implemented Features

Full RTS main loop (gathering, building, combat, win/loss conditions)
Single-player AI battles
LAN multiplayer lobby and matches
Match recording and replay system
Multilingual UI (Simplified Chinese / Traditional Chinese / English)

Future Directions

Additional factions and tech tree branches
Richer unit abilities and counter relationships
Replacing procedural map rendering with TileSet art
More robust online reconnection and anti-cheat mechanisms
Campaign levels and scripted event systems

Version

v0.1.0 Alpha