Dig deep to know about the history of FPS Games!
With a rocky history full of ups and downs, FPS games have been around for more than 50 years.
However, the much-hyped and much-anticipated games are evolving with the passing time. The combat gameplay, involving guns and other weapons allows you to play the game from the first-person perspective.
For game developers who enjoy the adventure of shooting and soaking in virtual backgrounds, designing an FPS game can would be an exhilarating pursuit.
However, developing a great and modern-era FPS game is not everyone’s cup of tea. But, if you are thinking of making a career in game development, join a game design course and begin your career as a game developer.
Let’s go a bit deeper and explore the history of FPS Games!
Exploring the History of First-Person Shooter Games
Through an impeccable journey of ups and downs, First-person shooter (FPS) games hold a golden history.
But do you know where it all started? Let’s explore the whole evolution of first-person shooter games!
The 70s
When it all began
Believe it or not!
The unprecedented concept of FPS was first introduced at NASA Ames centre with Maze War.
The game allowed the players to move along a 3D maze and simultaneously shoot other players. However, it didn’t have any great graphics or appearance but the concept was completely new to people.
The 80s
The era of home gaming
At the beginning of this era, arcades were the place for gamers. At this time, games like Atari’s Battlezone were introduced that featured a first-person viewpoint along with a 3D wireframe. The later version of the game was released for home computers. These games provided the players with the ability to move and rotate anywhere.
With the availability of consoles or home computers, this era was all about playing games at your home on personal systems.
Moreover, the players had no timers (time limits) on the game which helped the developer to follow more inventive and immersive approaches to design the game.
The very first “true” FPS for PC was Midi Maze by Hybrid Arts’ which was developed in 1987 for Atari SD.
The Early 90s
Fast-Paced Shooters
If you’re an avid gamer, then you must be aware of the id software company who stands tall as a leading player in shaping the gaming industry as we know it today.
In the early 90s, the actual FPS viewpoint started incorporate reflections with the help of ray casting rendering method. The concept allows the PC to draw only the things that the gamer needs to see and not everything present in the game.
With the development of Wolfenstein 3D, industry standards rose to a new height where the developers focused more on weapon functions and the intricate design of the game.
After the huge success of Wolfenstein 3D, another hallmark game, Doom was released by the company. The company worked hard to provide the best graphics in Doom and certainly they were successful. Doom was wildly popular and is even incorrectly known as the pioneer of FPS games!
The top-notch and advanced graphics of Doom attracted many new players towards the FPS genre, and due to shareware (free-to-distribute game demos) Doom had become a household name.
The Late 90s
The era of highly-interactive environments!
In this phase, some outstanding games like Duke Nukem 3D were released. The game won much acclaim for adrenaline-filled gameplay and interactive environments.
Another innovation made by id Software was Quake which revolutionised the gaming industry with a great gaming engine.
The company had finally found a way to render enemies, power-ups and 3D maps. The game also featured multiple multiplayer options including online multiplayer mode.
The multiplayer version of the game was also considered the first huge competitive game and predecessor to modern-day gaming.
In this era, competitive gaming has become more advanced and popular because of:
- Advanced infrastructure and internet facilities
- Introduction of the core mechanics of FPS games
- Focus on the improvement of future core mechanics
The 2000s
The era of advanced gaming and competitive gaming!
The era of the 2000s was all about strong narrative games along with good mechanics.
The infamous games like Unreal or Quake III engine including popular ones like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty came into being during this era.
The game’s team-based plays over the single-player gameplay made it a pioneer in its era. Moreover, Call of Duty Modern Warfare was a great success.
Later on in 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved was introduced and gamers were crazy about the game because of its in-game dialogues, characters and world-building. With complex gameplay, the concept of tanks and planes was introduced which made FPS games more real for people.
The 2010s
In the time of FPS, this era is touted as establishment!
Since the 2000s, games have not only evolved in their graphics but also in their storyline and concept. The games didn’t only focus on killing the enemies but also rewarding the player with additional abilities and weapons. This era introduced games based on the looter shooter concept.
One such game introduced in 2009 was Borderlands. The game was a huge success because of its great graphics, easy and fun loot, and fun music.
How can we skip mentioning the battle royale genre in the modern era of gaming? It is the complete and perfect blend of last-person standing gameplay as well as multiplayer games.
The Future of FPS Gaming: See The Future Through Your Eyes
FPS games are one of the genres which are liked by all because of their more realistic and engaging graphics!
Whether it is about shooting a gun or playing games with your friends, FPS aims to serve you with thrill and excitement.
With better graphics cards or processors, there is a huge scope of advancements in FPS games!
Moreover, the craze for FPS games is rapidly increasing and certainly, there is no turning back.
The whole future of FPS will depend on the innovations made in the technology. However, there is no doubt that the FPS genre of games is going to stay for a long time!
Not only this, but if you are a gamer and wish to develop your own game, it is a good career option as well. Get to learn the knits and grits of game development with online game development courses and bring the revolution to the gaming industry.
Therefore, if you are into gaming and especially into FPS games, hold your breaths for more exciting and revolutionary games in this genre.