Video gaming has come a long way since the early days of Space Invaders and Asteroids, and is now a multi-billion dollar industry, with 3D games leading the way.
What are 3D games?
When we talk about 3D games, we have in mind those cutting edge gaming titles that have pushed back the boundaries of what gamers had thought possible, bringing increasingly realistic gameplaying experiences to the homes of game fans.
The original true 3D game was arguably Elite released in 1984. For a long time, 3D visuals were poorer in quality than the 2D alternative, but that slowly began to change, and the arrival of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) launched a dramatic increase in the quality and depth of 3D graphics.
The latest developments in 3D gaming include the use of specially designed 3D monitors and other hardware such as 3D visors, to enhance the 3D experience. Along the way, 3D gaming has produced some of the most exiting gaming titles ever. Here are three of the most popular.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
The Call Of Duty series was already well established by the time Call Of Duty: Black Ops was released in 2010. The seventh edition of the franchise, it followed Call Of Duty: World At War. Within six weeks, the game had produced sales of over $1 billion and it went on to sell over 25 million copies and spawn four sequels, the latest of which was released in November 2020.
The game continued the Call of Duty tradition of first person immersive warfare, but with enhanced graphics and sound which combined moments of spine tingling stealth with the experience of being at the center of intense battles. The main plot – set in the Cold War – was highly praised and there was a zombie-themed alternative plot that fans loved.
Need For Speed: Shift
Driving games have always been a mainstay of 3D gaming and the Need For Speed series is one of the most successful, producing multiple editions since the first version in 1994.
With their 2009 update, the developers aimed squarely at hardcore gaming fans, focusing on producing a completely immersive 3D experience. The result was a game that featured some of the most realistic handling yet seen in a driving game, and a level of detail that was astonishing, right down to the perfectly realized car interior.
There were initially 60 cars available, along with 19 tracks, but subsequent DLC has significantly increased the amount of content and this edition of the Need For Speed franchise has proven to be one of the most enduringly popular 3D driving games of all time.
Batman Arkham Asylum
Released in 2009, Batman Arkham Asylum was not the first Batman game but it has become one of the most celebrated and is still enjoyed by gaming fans.
The game represented a leap forward in 3D experience, providing a deep and fully interactive backdrop, that successfully conveyed a dark and sinister location, while the main character was far from invincible. Succeeding in the game required timing, stealth and sharpness, but the controls were simple enough for players to be able to get into without needing to study in depth instructions.
Above all, the game had a stunning, stylish feel, and the sense of infinite possibilities within the brooding world of the Arkham Asylum. It remains one of the best 3D games ever produced.