Contextual studies: A brief history of isometric 3D space

In video game terms "Isometric" refers to a form of parallel projection in which the viewpoint is displayed at an angle, allowing other aspects of a two dimensional game environment to be visible, producing a 3D effect. 2.5 D, 3/4 perspective or pseudo-3D are other commonly used terms.

Sega's Zaxxon was the first video game that used isometric graphics. Released in 1982, Zaxxon was an isometric shooter that used scrolling levels in which the player is in control of a jet fighter. The objective of the game was to shoot down as many targets as possible without being shot down or running out of fuel. This was the first game in which to use shadows, they helped to indicate altitude.

Congo Bongo was an isometric platform game released by Sega in 1983. The game uses similar elements from Frogger and Donkey Kong. The player controls a safari hunter with a red nose who is tracking down an ape named "Bongo". The player must reach the top of the four levels while jumping over enemies and obstacles.

Mike Cerny's Marble Madness was an isometric platform game that involved the player controlling a marble through six race track labyrinths against the clock. Each course gets gradually more complex as the courses get longer and more enemies are added in. The game's preferred mode of control was through use of a track ball but the home editions used controllers with directional pads. Marble Madness was released in 1984.

Isometric games eventually moved from arcade screens to home computers and consoles such as the ZX Spectrum. This leap in technology allowed the player to move through the game space without being constrained to the one axis like Zaxxon. The view could also be rotated a 90-degree axis. Isometric 3D games survived well into 1990's with titles such as Civilization 2, Diablo and Fallout even though they used fixed perspectives. As technology evolved, games began using true 3D, the most notable being games like Populous: The Beginning and Diablo 3. During the 90's Isometric graphics were being used for console tactical role-playing games such as Final Fantasy Tactics (1997) and Breath of Fire 3 (1997) to name a couple.They used 3D graphics to create environments where players could rotate the camera freely.