As the world of gaming continues to evolve and expand, it’s hard to imagine life without the immersive and interactive experiences that video games have brought us. But where did it all begin? What was the first 3D video game ever made?
The Birth of 3D Video Games
Before we dive into the specifics of the first 3D video game ever made, let’s take a step back and understand what it means to be “3D.” In gaming terms, 3D refers to the use of three-dimensional graphics, which create a more immersive experience for players. These graphics allow players to see objects from different angles, giving them a sense of depth and realism that was previously impossible in traditional 2D games.
The technology behind 3D video games has come a long way since its inception. The first 3D video game was created using computer-generated imagery (CGI), which allowed developers to create lifelike characters, environments, and objects. This was made possible by the development of powerful computers that could handle complex mathematical calculations required to render 3D graphics.
One of the earliest pioneers in the field of 3D video games was Ed Catmull, a computer scientist who co-founded Pixar Animation Studios. In 1974, Catmull created a program called Z-buffer, which allowed developers to create 3D graphics by sorting objects based on their distance from the camera. This was a groundbreaking technology at the time and paved the way for future advancements in 3D gaming.
Another early pioneer in the field of 3D video games was Martin Newell, who created the first 3D graphics program called Utah Teapot in 1975. The Utah Teapot was a simple teapot model that became an industry standard for testing 3D rendering algorithms. This program allowed developers to create and test their own 3D graphics, leading to the development of more advanced games.
The First 3D Video Game Ever Made
Now that we understand the technology behind 3D video games let’s find out what the first 3D video game ever made was. The answer may surprise you – it wasn’t a first-person shooter, sports game, or adventure game like we might expect today. Instead, it was a simple flight simulator called “Skyrider.”
“Skyrider” was created by Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann in 1980 for the Xerox PARC computer lab. The game allowed players to control a helicopter and fly through a virtual environment, giving them a sense of immersion and freedom that was unprecedented at the time.
The technology behind “Skyrider” was groundbreaking, as it used a combination of 3D graphics and motion sensors to track the player’s movements in real-time. This allowed players to feel like they were truly flying through the virtual environment, creating an incredibly immersive experience.
Despite its technological advancements, “Skyrider” was not a commercially successful game. However, it did pave the way for future advancements in 3D gaming and showed that there was a demand for more immersive gaming experiences.
The Evolution of 3D Video Games
In the years following “Skyrider,” the gaming industry continued to evolve and improve. Developers began experimenting with new technologies and techniques, leading to the creation of some truly iconic 3D video games.
One such game was “Wolfenstein IIID: The New Colossus,” released in 1992 by id Software. This first-person shooter game featured incredibly detailed and realistic 3D graphics, giving players an unprecedented sense of immersion and realism. It was also one of the first games to use texture mapping, which allowed developers to add intricate details to objects in the virtual environment.
Another groundbreaking 3D video game was “Doom,” also released by id Software in 1993.
