BattleZone (1983)

Released
November 1980 on Arcade
Credits
Programmed by Ed Rotberg
Project leader Morgan Hoff
Electrical engineer Jed Margolin
Vector-graphics generator by Howard Delman
Enemy tank models Roger Hector
Artwork Roger Hector
Erupting volcano code by Owen Rubin

Releases by Date
1983 (PC Booter)

Publishers
Atarisoft

Developers
Atari, Inc.

Commonly considered the earliest progenitor of first-person shooters (FPS), Battlezone is a 3D tank game initially released in the arcades, and later converted officially to many systems. Earth has been invaded, and you and your tank lead the defensive effort.

You drive around the battlefield from a first-person view, targeting and firing at tanks, planes and UFOs.

You have a radar to help you see where the enemies are in direction and distance. Objects can be used as strategic cover. Controls simulate the tracks of a tank realistically, so the direction and speed settings are varied - combining forward right and backward left movements sees you change direction more quickly.