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After Hours

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

By Mark W. Kaelin November 7, 2006, 4:54 AM PST

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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.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

Note the programmers: John Carmack and John Romero.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

The first few guards fall easy.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

You better have good aim.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

Whoops! I did not see him.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

Got him early that time.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

Oooo! Nice shot!

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

Cleared that room.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

Another secret room is around here somewhere.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

Seems clear.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

Always collect treasure.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Dinosaur sightings: Wolfenstein 3D changes everything

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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Mark W. Kaelin

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By Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology industry, software, hardware, gaming, finance, accounting, and technology geekdom for more than 30 years.
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