Micromanagement (computer gaming)

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This is about the computer gaming strategy. For the management style, see Micromanagement.

Micromanagement (often abbreviated to micro) is a term used in strategy computer games to describe a facet of gameplay. It usually refers to small scale management skills at real-time strategy games. However, many role-playing games and first-person shooters are developing more advanced hotkey layouts, allowing these genres to develop their own micromanagement skills.

In turn-based strategy games, micromanagement is a style of play where the player manages the fine details of the game, as well as overall strategy.^[1] In real-time strategy games, micromanagement refers to a player's management over individual units in combat situations.^{[citation needed]}

In strategy games where micromanagement occurs, it is usually an integral part of the gameplay; as such it is not considered a pejorative term as it is in its original, business management sense. However, critics of this style of gameplay use the term in its pejorative sense, usually in such forms as "micromanagement hell".^{[citation needed]}

Micromanagement is often associated with quick reflexes in order to quickly control units. Various Utility and add-on programs can measure a players micromanagement, counting actions per minute of the player. Actions per minute has also been associated with micromanagement.^{[citation needed]}

1 Overview
2 Micromanagement in popular culture
3 References
4 See also

[edit] Overview

Command and Conquer: Red Alert demonstrates the use of economic micromanagement through its necessity of guiding ore-gathering trucks

Spring displays detailed micromanagement statistics.

Micromanagement is most often broken down into economic micromanagement and military micromanagement. Economic micromanagement refers to small-scale managing of units responsible for gathering, processing, or maintaining the resources that fuel players' economies.

Military micromanagement is the small-scale management of combat-oriented units. Its goal is to maximize damage given to enemy units and minimize damage the player's units receives. Much of this is done by grouping units into formations, and using military tactics, such as flanking and counterattacks. Many types of military micromanagement have been created, leading to the usage of different strategic formations and attacks.

[edit] Micromanagement in popular culture

The popular Internet-distributed mockumentary series Pure Pwnage coined the term "über-micro". The series interviewed several girls asking if they'd rather date a guy with lots of money or über-micro.^[2]
In South Korea, the real-time strategy game StarCraft is highly popular. The ability to micromanage (contributing to the game's "depth of strategy") is a key reason for its continued popularity. ^[3] The game is broadcast on Korean national television, showing professional players' micromanagement skills.