After Hours

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

By // November 7, 2006, 6:05 AM PST // markwkaelin

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  • Every once in awhile a PC or video game comes along that changes everything. Wolfenstein 3D from id Software and Apogee certainly qualifies as one of those games. This is the game that established the first person shooter (FPS) as a major game genre. The visceral feel of fighting your way through a maze of hallways filled with enemies trying to stop you was such a new experience in 1992 that many gamers found new reason to love their past time.

    Wolfenstein 3D was also marketed using the shareware model. I distinctly remember that I stopped playing after the first level, so I could order the entire game. My thinking was it would arrive about the same time as I completed the first set of scenarios. Only one other shareware game has captured my imagination like that since --- Doom, which would come along a little over a year later.

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  • Here is the proof that I purchased the entire game and still have it. If it was the shareware level it would say it here.

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  • Even in 1992, I was old enough to play Wolfenstein 3D without parental supervision.

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  • Note the programmers: John Carmack and John Romero.

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  • The main screen. Instead of jumping right in, it would be a good idea to check the control screen.

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  • Ah, sound. In 1992, getting sound to actually work in a game was quite a challenge. The first question to answer: Was you sound card a Soundblaster, AdLib, or Soundsource?

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  • This is where the keyboard and mouse combination control scheme was born --- this is where I left behind gamepads and consoles.

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  • Episode 1 was available as shareware. Episodes 2 through 6 had to be purchased.

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  • I completed all sceanarios under the I am Death Incarnate setting without cheating. I know it is pretty silly to be proud of such a thing, but I am. I am a gaming geek --- I admit it.

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  • This is the first thing you see when you start Episode 1. It is time to inflict some pain.

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  • The first few guards fall easy.

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  • You better have good aim.

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  • Whoops! I did not see him.

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  • Under Death Incarnate, you will have to start a level over again from time to time.

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  • Got him early that time.

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  • Not exactly bump mapped graphics. At least you can tell it is a stone wall.

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  • Oooo! Nice shot!

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  • The first secret room where you pick up your first machine gun.

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  • Hmm! I bet I am going to be glad I have the machine gun when I open that door.

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  • Adolph and other Nazi imagery is seen throughout the game. This meant that Wolfenstein was banned in Germany.

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  • Treasure gives you points which buys you more game lives to play with --- very important in Death Incarnate.

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  • Cleared that room.

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  • Now, it is on to the next room. Yikes!

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  • Another secret room is around here somewhere.

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  • Another room cleared - but I'm not out yet.

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  • Seems clear.

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  • I'll just sneak around this corner --- what is that noise behind me?

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  • Back to start. Maybe I'll try a different scenario.

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  • Senario 3 was fun. It ends with a boss battle with Adolph himself --- only he is in a robotic Mech-like armored contraption. That sneaky so and so.

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  • Of course, I have to make it past about 1000 minions first --- these big blue guys are bad news.

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  • Always collect treasure.

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  • One of the innovative features that made Wolfenstein 3D so compelling was the since of distance it protrayed. That is a long hallway.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • I hope this leads to the exit so I can get to the next level. I remember that addiction so well.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Quitting was not encouraged, but I have deadlines to meet --- maybe I can play some later.

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  • The popularity of Wolfenstein 3D meant that it generated significant interest from the hacking crowd. This little program allowed you to modify existing levels and make new ones.

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  • However, the process was not for everyone --- the process was tedious. Note all of the objects you could play with listed down the right side.

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  • There was also a edit program for the walls (sorry, I cannot seem to capture the screenshots).

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  • You could work on your levels for months --- I made a few, but I quickly found out it was not in my nature.

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Every once in awhile a PC or video game comes along that changes everything. Wolfenstein 3D from id Software and Apogee certainly qualifies as one of those games. This is the game that established the first person shooter (FPS) as a major game genre. The visceral feel of fighting your way through a maze of hallways filled with enemies trying to stop you was such a new experience in 1992 that many gamers found new reason to love their past time.

Wolfenstein 3D was also marketed using the shareware model. I distinctly remember that I stopped playing after the first level, so I could order the entire game. My thinking was it would arrive about the same time as I completed the first set of scenarios. Only one other shareware game has captured my imagination like that since --- Doom, which would come along a little over a year later.

© CNET Networks

Mark W. Kaelin

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By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.