Kingsons

Overview

Kingsons is a hybrid strategy game that explores how deep character-driven storytelling can coexist with large-scale kingdom management. Developed as my Master's dissertation project, the game combines real-time strategy with role-playing mechanics, allowing players to experience war from both the ruler's throne and the battlefield.

Set in 16th-century Rajputana, players manage a growing kingdom while taking direct control of key characters whose actions influence the larger strategic world.

The Challenge

Traditional RTS games excel at macro-level decision making but often lack emotional connection with individual characters. RPGs create memorable protagonists but rarely capture the complexity of ruling an entire kingdom.

The challenge was to design a gameplay structure where strategic management and character progression complement one another without disrupting the pacing of either genre.

Design Goal

Create a seamless gameplay experience that allows players to:

Manage a kingdom through RTS mechanics. Experience narrative-driven RPG missions. See meaningful consequences between both gameplay layers.

My Role Game Designer Systems Designer Gameplay Designer UX/UI Designer Researcher

Core Gameplay

Players alternate between three perspectives:

King — Expand the kingdom, manage resources, construct buildings, and make strategic decisions. Spy — Complete stealth-focused missions to gather intelligence and influence future events. General — Lead military operations while progressing through combat-focused gameplay.

Each perspective contributes to the overall progression of the kingdom, creating a continuous feedback loop between strategy and role-playing.

Key Features RTS kingdom management Character-driven RPG progression Multiple playable perspectives Strategic resource management Narrative decision-making Integrated progression between macro and micro gameplay Research Question

How can RPG character progression and narrative depth be effectively integrated into RTS gameplay without disrupting strategic flow?

This research guided every design decision throughout the project and formed the foundation of the game's mechanics and player progression.

Outcome

Kingsons became an exploration of genre fusion, demonstrating how strategic decision-making and personal storytelling can strengthen one another rather than compete for player attention. The project reflects my passion for designing systems that connect gameplay, narrative, and player agency into a cohesive experience.