3D games are games in which the game world is displayed in 3D space and the player can move freely in this world. Such games have become incredibly popular in the past few decades, but they have a history of more than 40 years.
In the early 1980s, 3D games were fairly primitive, but even then they had huge potential. For example, in 1981, Atari released Battlezone, a game in which the player flew a tank and fought against other tanks. This game used vector graphics to create a sense of three-dimensionality.
The next major milestone in the history of 3D gaming was the release of 3D Monster Maze for the ZX81 in 1982. This game, created by J.K. Greye Software, was the first 3D home computer game. The player had to get out of the maze in which a dinosaur was chasing him.
However, the real breakthrough came in 1992 with the release of the Wolfenstein 3D game from id Software. This game was the first to use texturing, that is, adding images to the surface of 3D objects. This made it possible to create more realistic and detailed game worlds.
The next major game was Doom, also created by id Software. This game was even more detailed and realistic, and was the first game to use a full 3D engine. Doom was also important because it was one of the first online games.
In 1996, Core Design released Tomb Raider, which became very popular thanks to its main character, Lara Croft, and its adventure story. The game used a new 3D engine and was visually improved compared to previous games.
The next major game, “Quake”, was released in 1996 and was created by the same company, id Software. Quake is even more advanced than its predecessors and offered players new options, such as the ability to move up and down, the use of destructible environmental elements, and more advanced lighting effects.
In 1998, Valve Corporation's “Half-Life” game was released, which was important not only for the history of 3D games, but also for the gaming industry as a whole. Half-Life was the first game to use scripts to control the behavior of artificial intelligence and also offered a more advanced storyline than most games of the time.
In 2001, Rockstar Games released Grand Theft Auto III, which became one of the most influential games in 3D gaming history. It offered players an open world that could be freely explored and allowed them to complete various missions that the player could choose.
After Grand Theft Auto III, Rockstar Games released several sequels to the game that offered even more advanced graphics effects, a more complex storyline, and new opportunities for players. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, released in 2004, was even more advanced than its predecessor and offered players a very large open world, new character options, and more advanced artificial intelligence.
In addition to the sequel to Grand Theft Auto, many other 3D games have been released that have offered players new features and improved graphic effects. Some of them have become classics of the genre, such as “Halo: Combat Evolved” by Bungie Studios, “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” by Bethesda Game Studios, and “Mass Effect” by BioWare.
Currently, 3D games continue to develop, turning into huge and detailed game worlds with more advanced artificial intelligence, more realistic graphics and physics. Here are some of the latest games that are a step forward in this direction: Red Dead Redemption 2 by Rockstar Games, Cyberpunk 2077 by CD Projekt Red, and Death Stranding by Kojima Productions.
In the future, 3D games will continue to develop and improve, offering players increasingly realistic and detailed game worlds with even more advanced graphics and physics, as well as improved artificial intelligence and dynamic scenarios.
One of the trends in the development of 3D games is virtual reality (VR), which allows players to immerse themselves in the game world and feel like real participants in events. In VR games, players will be able to interact with the environment and other characters in a more natural way using their actual movements and gestures. In addition, VR games will use new technologies, such as eye tracking and thought control.
Another area of development in 3D games is augmented reality (AR), which allows players to interact with virtual objects in the real world. AR games can be useful for learning, entertaining, and adding new features to the real world. For example, Pokemon Go used AR to create virtual characters that appear in the real world and can be caught by players.
Also in the future, 3D games will continue to use artificial intelligence (AI) to create more realistic and dynamic game characters and scenarios. AI can also be used to improve gameplay and create new gaming opportunities.
Overall, the history of 3D gaming shows how fast and dynamic the gaming industry is developing, and how important it is to be one step ahead of your competitors in order to continue attracting players and offering them new and exciting gaming worlds.
If you are dreaming of a career in the gaming industry, you should go to Unity course at ProgKids. Unity is one of the most popular game engines used for creating 3D games, and this course will teach you the basics of using this tool. Plus, you'll gain experience in creating game mechanics, gameplay, animation, and other aspects of game development.
Join us and be one of those creating exciting games of the future!
Pavel Makarov
Progkids teacher
