From The Conversation · Mark J. P. Wolf · · 1m 20s
The forgotten first-person shooters of the 1970s
Two 1970s games created the first-person shooter genre with vector graphics.
In brief
Two 1970s games created the first-person shooter genre with vector graphics. Maze War and Spasim used vector graphics to create 3D space without pixels. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Quick answers
- What is a first-person shooter?
- First-person shooters let players experience games through their character's eyes, using weapons to attack enemies in a 3D space.
- What is the key takeaway from The forgotten first-person shooters of the 1970s?
- Maze War and Spasim used vector graphics to create 3D space without pixels.
What is a first-person shooter?
First-person shooters let players experience games through their character's eyes, using weapons to attack enemies in a 3D space.
Maze War: NASA's 1973 game
Developed at a NASA research center in 1973, Maze War was the first first-person shooter game using vector graphics.
Spasim: University of Illinois game
Spasim, short for space simulator, debuted at the University of Illinois in 1974 using vector graphics.
Vector graphics explained
Vector graphics draw lines between points on the screen, creating 3D depth with vanishing points that make flat surfaces appear to stretch into the distance.
How players moved
In Maze War, players moved in straight lines with 90-degree turns, while Spasim used jumping movements with short lag times between positions.
Multiplayer action
Both games had multiplayer modes where players could shoot each other online, changing how shooting games were played at fairs and carnivals.
Why they matter
Maze War and Spasim introduced the first-person perspective and vector graphics that paved the way for modern first-person shooters.
The headline
Maze War and Spasim used vector graphics to create 3D space without pixels.
