 The real @-@ time strategy elements of Giants consist of base building and resource gathering , wherein the resources are small humanoids called ' Smarties ' . There are a limited number of Smarties in a mission , and players must rush to gather them , or kidnap them from each other to gain an advantage . Players also gather sustenance for the Smarties to make them work ; Meccaryn and Reaper players hunt the cattle @-@ like Vimps for meat and souls respectively . The options in building a base are limited ; players can neither choose the locations for the structures nor manage their workforce in detail . Players in control of Kabuto need not build a base , whereas the character gains strength and produces subordinate characters by hunting for food . Kabuto consumes Smarties to increase its size and power ; at maximum size , he can produce smaller Tyrannosaurus @-@ like units as subordinates . To restore his health , Kabuto eats Vimps and other units ( player- and computer @-@ controlled ) . 
