| Catacomb 3D |
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| | Developer(s) | id Software | | Publisher(s) | Softdisk | | Platform(s) | MS-DOS | | Release date | November 1991 | | Genre(s) | First-person shooter | | Mode(s) | Single Player | | Media | floppy disk (1) | | Input methods | keyboard |
Catacomb 3-D (also known as Catacomb 3-D: A New Dimension, Catacomb 3-D: The Descent and Catacombs 3) is the first in a series of 3-dimensional computer games (after two earlier 2-D games) in the Catacomb series created by the founders of id Software, published by Softdisk. Catacomb 3-D is a landmark title in terms of first-person graphics. The game was released in November 1991 and is arguably the first example of the modern, character-based first-person shooter genre, or at least it was a direct ancestor to the games that popularized the genre. It was released for the PC platform with EGA graphics. The game introduced the concept of showing the player's hand in the three-dimensional viewport, and an enhanced version of its technology was later used for the more successful and well-known Wolfenstein 3D. Catacomb 3-D is seen as the precursor to later id published games Heretic and HeXeN in a similar vein as Wolfenstein 3D is seen as the precursor to Doom.
ProductionThe origins of the games are Catacomb by John Carmack for the PC and Apple II. This is a two-dimensional game utilising a third-person view from above, released in 1989-1990. It was followed up with Catacomb II, which used the same game engine with new levels. The first release of the 3D version was called Catacomb 3-D: A new dimension, but it was later re-released as Catacomb 3-D: The Descent, as well as Catacombs 3 for a re-release as commercially packaged software (the earlier versions had been released by other means such as diskmagazines and downloads). The game creators were John Carmack, John Romero, Jason Blochowiak (programmers), Tom Hall (creative director), Adrian Carmack (artist), and Robert Prince (musician).
Catacomb Fantasy TrilogyCatacomb 3-D was followed by three games, in the so called Catacomb Fantasy Trilogy. They were not developed by id Software, though they were involved in some of the games.
Catacomb AbyssCatacomb Abyss was the sequel to Catacomb 3-D, and featured the same main character in a new adventure. It was the only game in the series that was released as shareware. It was released by Softdisk in 1992. The game was developed by Gamer's Edge. The credits are Mike Maynard, Jim Row, Nolan Martin (programming), Steve Maines (art direction), Steve Maines, Carol Ludden, Jerry Jones, Adrian Carmack (art production), Jim Weiler, Judi Mangham (quality assurance), and id Software (3D imaging effects).
Catacomb ArmageddonCatacomb Armageddon is the sequel to Catacomb Abyss, set in the present day. It was later re-released as Curse of the Catacombs. It was developed by Softdisk and published by Froggman.
Catacomb ApocalypseCatacomb Apocalypse is the final game in the Catacomb Fantasy Trilogy. It was later re-released as Terror of the Catacombs. It was set in the distant future and mixed fantasy and sci-fi elements, pitting players against robotic necromancers and the like. It is also the only game in the Trilogy to have a Hub system. It was developed by Softdisk and published by Froggman.
External links- Catacomb Crypt
- id's look back at Catacomb 3D
- Catacomb 3-D at MobyGames
- Catacomb series at MobyGames
- S&F Prod.'s Catacomb page
- Catacomb series at the Open Directory Project
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