I actually was thinking about a Halo Space kind of RTS and i got this idea from several sources.
The campaign would start like this
1. Instead of being this nameless faceless being floating above the heads of everyone else, the game would do something like Dawn of War 2, where you are a recently promoted *insert rank here*. You then pick a face, command ship, and other various details.
2. Your ship would be 1 of 2 or 3 types. Cruiser, Frigate/Destroyer, and Carrier/Colony ship.
Each would have certain benefits: Cruiser, better armor and weapons. Frigate, speed and mobility, Carrier-Fighters, Fighters, Fighters.
you would start with an older model of ship than stuff seen later on in the Halo Universe. For example, first you get a Halcyon Class Cruiser (Pillar of Autumn) and then you could get a Marathon Class later on. As the game progresses you could also upgrade your ship. For example, 3 shot mac gun, or more powerful missles. My personal favorite idea is the ODST and/or Spartan boarding craft. Your ship now has a pelican with extra armor that can attempt to take an enemy ship. Depending on the ships size and damage taken, they would have a certain chance of success. For example, with a Covenant Cruiser like Truth and reconciliation, if the ship is at perfect condition then they would have a low, maybe 25% chance of success. but if it has taken a lot of damage, then they may have up to a 75% chance. What happens if they succeed is up to the player. they could keep it, or destroy it. Why destroy it? because since it is a covenant ship not too many spartans or ODSTs know how to pilot one. so instead, they just remove the ship from the battle field, because the covenant would have their own way of boarding ships.
Now, on to the RTS part of this.
Building your base: Ships in the halo universe come with construction or repair facilities no matter what size. So, if you are in comand of a cruiser and need to build a base, your ship would be able to construct a small Listening post. Then the ship could send out construction drones to add to the base until it is a full fledged shipyard. Defenses could be added, and ships could be constructed. Resources would come in the form of Shuttles from slipspace, like the dropships in Halowars.
Your Forces: Depending on the mission, in campaign anyway, you may or may not start with extra ships. In some cases, you may not be able to build a base either. In order to get more ships, there would be several methods of obtaining them.
1. Build them. Not always possible, but the 2nd quickest way
2. Board enemy ships, covenant or Rebel ships found on the map could be taken if you have the right upgrades.\
3. Derelict ships. Of u ever played star trek armada you know what im talking about. Ships just sitting in space, abandoned for whatever reason. Your ship could send a pelican over, dock with the ship, then take it back to your base for refit. This would mean that there would have to be a variety of ships, because not every derelict will be fit for combat. If you capture an abandoned Freighter, it can be used as a transport ship (yes a transport, crew and troops are not going to just spawn out of cryo tubes) to take crew between base and ships.
Combat: this would be a lot like Empire at War: with certain weapons, like autocannons, deck guns, or archer missles firing automatically. Mac guns, Plasma torpedoes, and other various weapons would be like the Y ability for Halowars.
. Fighters: pretty simple, they would be like marine squads in Halowars: built in squads, upgradeble with better missles or something.
Canon: Since you would be your own character, dont worry about that part. next. simply make the campaign be part of the story of halo. Example, mission 1, You and your ship are sent to whereever to hunt down rebels. No canon problems there. mission *insert number* You are under command of fleet admiral harper, and are charged with defeding earth from the covenant. GOOD LUCK!
in fact, when it comes to space battles in halo, not much is really known right now. Your ship could have survived Reach. You could be the reason Sergeant Buck survived Reach at all.
that is most of my ideas, but i cant write anymore now. Any questions, just ask, I will try to answer tomorrow, and criticism, unless it is constructive, i.e. you have a valid point to make, say it, but if you are just going to say something alont the lines of "this is stupid" save it,bottle it up, and tell it to someone who cares.
That means you flamers
Good things come to those who wait.
Death comes to those who wait too long.
SNIPERS-Hint Hint.