First-person shooter

A video game genre focused on combat from a first-person perspective.

A first-person shooter (FPS) is a video game genre centered on weapon-based combat experienced through the eyes of the main character. It falls under the action games category and relies on advanced 3D or pseudo-3D graphics to create immersion. Multiplayer gaming has been integral to the genre, especially with the rise of internet connectivity.

Quick Facts

Field

Video game genre

Known for

First-person perspective
weapon-based combat
3D graphics
multiplayer gameplay

Facts from the source article.

Definition

First-person shooters are a subtype of shooter game where the player views the action through the character's eyes, with combat primarily involving firearms or other long-range weapons. They differ from third-person shooters, where the player sees the controlled character from behind or above. A key distinguishing feature is player-guided navigation through a three-dimensional space, which sets them apart from light gun shooters and rail shooters that use scripted movement or dedicated peripherals.

Game design

First-person shooters involve an avatar, one or more ranged weapons, and enemies within a 3D environment, which tends to offer more realistic representations of gravity, lighting, sound, and collisions than 2D shooters. On personal computers, control typically uses a keyboard and mouse, while consoles often employ two analog sticks for movement and aiming. The display commonly shows the character's hands and weaponry, with a heads-up display for health, ammunition, and location; a map overlay is also frequent.

Gameplay focuses on fast-paced combat and dynamic firefights, though some titles emphasize narrative, problem-solving, or logic puzzles. Melee combat may be used, with melee weapons sometimes being especially powerful as a reward for close-quarters risk, or less effective but a last resort. Tactical shooters are more realistic, requiring teamwork and strategy, often allowing players to command a squad of AI or human teammates. Players typically have access to a large arsenal of weapons, which can include realistic reproductions of existing firearms or imaginative variations such as futuristic prototypes, alien technology, magical weapons, lasers, plasma, rockets, and arrows. Grenades, bombs, spears, and unconventional modes like flames, electricity, telekinesis, or traps may also be employed.

History

The genre's origins include Maze War (1973) and Spasim (1974), which introduced multiplayer space shooting from a first-person perspective. Maze War, developed by high-school students in a NASA work-study program, later added AI and customizable maps. Spasim on the PLATO system allowed up to 32 players. Early games like Futurewar (1977) and Wayout (1982) advanced ray casting and freer movement.

Atari's Battlezone (1980) was the first successful mass-market FPS. MIDI Maze (1987) introduced network multiplayer deathmatches. id Software's Hovertank (1991) advanced ray casting. Wolfenstein 3D (1992) featured Nazi enemies, boss battles, and a map editor that encouraged modding. Doom (1993) surpassed it with higher-resolution graphics, textures, lighting, and multiplayer deathmatches.

Subsequent titles like Heretic, Star Wars: Dark Forces, Descent, and Duke Nukem 3D expanded the genre. Quake established fully 3D polygonal graphics and fast online multiplayer.