Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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.

Mark W. Kaelin

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.

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

Note the programmers: John Carmack and John Romero.

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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?

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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.

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

The first few guards fall easy.

Mark W. Kaelin

You better have good aim.

Mark W. Kaelin

Whoops! I did not see him.

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

Got him early that time.

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

Oooo! Nice shot!

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

Cleared that room.

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

Another secret room is around here somewhere.

Mark W. Kaelin

Another room cleared – but I’m not out yet.

Mark W. Kaelin

Seems clear.

Mark W. Kaelin

I’ll just sneak around this corner — what is that noise behind me?

Mark W. Kaelin

Back to start. Maybe I’ll try a different scenario.

Mark W. Kaelin

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.

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

Always collect treasure.

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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.

Mark W. Kaelin

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.

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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

Mark W. Kaelin

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