Introducing 3D Modelling through Game History
Have a read up on the games listed below to understand the early part of the progression of 3D modelling used in computer graphics.
Battlezone (1980)
3D modelling is about representing 3D models on a 2D medium. In Mathematics classes, you may use isometric dot paper to do this; but in the case of computer screens one of the earliest representations is through wire-frames.
Battlezone is perhaps the first game to adopt wire-frames in their representation of landscapes and enemy vehicles.
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ELITE (1984)
Elite is one of the earliest games to experiment with wire-frames and the graphics you see are simply that: wire-framed representations of space shuttles and other objects.
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Driller (1987)
Driller is an example of a "terrible game": it was ugly and had a bad frame-rate, but it was still popular largely because of its puzzle theme.
It was also one of the earliest games to adopt filled polygons in their graphics: objects now appear "more solid", and it was arguably the first one that allowed the user to move his head up and down. |
Wing Commander (1990)
Catacomb 3D (1991)
As computing power increased, so did the texturing and rendering of graphics. Games like Catacomb 3D (from which Wolfenstein eventually spawned) employed 3D modelling in the form of mazes.
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Ultima Underworld (1992)
Ultima Underworld employed more sophistication in their graphics display, including lighting effects and sloped surfaces. As a consequence, the quality of graphics was low and the viewing area was limited to a small part of the screen.
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Quake 3 (1999)
Fast-forward a few more years and we see game developers employing even more realism in their 3D models: including advanced lighting effects (reflection, appearance of fluid motion, shadows).
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External Links
Excerpt from Backroom Boys by Francis Spufford - how to create a universe with limited computational power
3D Primer for Game Developers: An Overview of 3D Modeling in Games - explaining 3D modeling through games
3D Primer for Game Developers: An Overview of 3D Modeling in Games - explaining 3D modeling through games