Maze War (1973)
The Birth of the First-Person Shooter (FPS), 3D Network Combat, and Avatars
Maze War is the seminal 1973 title credited as the very first first-person shooter (FPS) and earliest 3D networked game, created at NASA Ames Research Center by Steve Colley, Howard Palmer, and Greg Thompson on the Imlac PDS-1 minicomputer. Introducing eyeball avatars, wireframe 3D maze rendering, and cross-country deathmatches over ARPANET, it laid the foundations for Wolfenstein 3D and Doom.
NASA Ames and the 3D Breakthrough on Imlac PDS-1
During a work-study program at NASA Ames Research Center in 1973, Steve Colley authored an algorithm to project and navigate a 3D perspective maze on the vector display of an Imlac PDS-1. Colley's colleagues Howard Palmer and Greg Thompson suggested introducing other players and firearms. By linking two Imlac terminals via high-speed serial cables, they staged the earliest real-time first-person deathmatch in computer history. Revolutionary world-building and tightly orchestrated mechanical coherence (Creators: Steve Colley, Howard Palmer, Greg Thompson, Institution: NASA Ames Research Center & MIT, Release Year: 1973, Platform: Imlac PDS-1, DEC PDP-10, Xerox Alto (Ethernet)) established new milestones for user engagement. Emerging in 1973, its indelible influence continues to inspire creators and scholars worldwide.
ARPANET, Eyeball Avatars and the Genesis of FPS
When Greg Thompson transferred to MIT in late 1973, he connected Maze War to a DEC PDP-10 coordinator, enabling cross-country ARPANET multiplayer between MIT and NASA Ames. Players viewed opponents as giant floating eyeballs—establishing the digital gaming concept of an 'avatar'. Incorporating top-down minimaps, spectator modes, score leaderboards, and level editors, Maze War anticipated the modern FPS genre by two decades. Revolutionary world-building and tightly orchestrated mechanical coherence (Creators: Steve Colley, Howard Palmer, Greg Thompson, Institution: NASA Ames Research Center & MIT, Release Year: 1973, Platform: Imlac PDS-1, DEC PDP-10, Xerox Alto (Ethernet)) established new milestones for user engagement. Emerging in 1973, its indelible influence continues to inspire creators and scholars worldwide.