Decades later, John Romero looks back at the birth of the first-person shooter

Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Id | GDC)

[/url] John Romero remembers the moment he realized what the future of gaming would look like.

In late 1991, Romero and his colleagues at id Software had just released Catacomb 3-D, a crude-looking, EGA-colored first-person shooter that was nonetheless revolutionary compared to other first-person games of the time. “When we started making our 3D games, the only 3D games out there were nothing like ours,” Romero told Ars in a recent interview. “They were lockstep, going through a maze, do a 90-degree turn, that kind of thing.”

Despite Catacomb 3-D‘s technological advances in first-person perspective, though, Romero remembers the team at id followed its release by going to work on the next entry in the long-running Commander Keen series of 2D platform games. But as that process moved forward, Romero told Ars that something didn’t feel right

Read 20 remaining paragraphs | Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join the Underground

a vibrant community where every pixel can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Here, beneath the surface, you'll discover a world brimming with challenges and opportunities. Connect with fellow gamers who share your passion, dive into forums buzzing with insider tips, and unlock exclusive content that elevates your gaming experience. The Underground isn't just a place—it's your new battleground. Are you ready to leave your mark? Join us now and transform your gaming journey into a saga of triumphs.