What was the original first-person shooter? Two largely forgotten computer games from the 1970s ushered in the genre

The games created a new way of experiencing video games by building a 3D world in which events could unfold beyond the player’s line of sight.

By: Mark J. P. Wolf, Concordia University Wisconsin, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 28, 2026

Words: 989

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

By Mark J. P. Wolf, Concordia University Wisconsin

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

What was the first “first-person shooter” video game? – James, age 12, Batesville, Arkansas

Before “Call of Duty,” before “Counter-Strike” and before “Doom,” there was “Maze War.”

Generally considered the earliest first-person shooter …

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