Wolfenstein 3D Archives

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

id Software released its first game 35 years ago today — Commander Keen title showcased John Carmack’s breakthrough side-scroller engine

Today marks 35 years since the release of Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons - Episode 1: Marooned on Mars, a DOS game that contributed to the formation of id Software. John Carmack's development of smooth scrolling on PCs was a significant achievement during the Enhanced Graphics Adapter era, initially intended for a port of Super Mario Bros. 3. The success of Commander Keen led Carmack and his colleagues to leave Softdisk and establish Ideas from the Deep, which became id Software. The Commander Keen trilogy laid the groundwork for id Software's transition into 3D rendering, culminating in the release of Wolfenstein 3D in 1992 and Doom in 1993. This period marked a shift in PC hardware from 486 to Pentium processors and the rise of dedicated 3D graphics cards. Nvidia introduced the GeForce 256 at the end of the 1990s, with Quake III Arena being one of the first titles to utilize this technology.

Winsage

November 22, 2025

Windows 1.01 was launched 40 years ago, but it didn’t start well — Microsoft’s graphical OS adventures were uncompetitive at launch

Microsoft released Windows 1.01 40 years ago, marking its first entry into graphical user interfaces with a WIMP-driven shell. Launched in 1985, it operated on DOS and required an Intel 8088 processor, 256KB of RAM, twin-floppy drives, and CGA graphics. A mouse was recommended but not necessary for navigation. At its release, Apple's Macintosh and home computers like the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga had already established graphical operating systems. Windows 1.01 included applications like Notepad, Paint, Clock, Calculator, and a game called Reversi. The interface featured tiled windows rather than overlapping ones. U.S. customers could purchase Windows 1.01 at launch for approximately 0, and version 1.02 was released in Europe in May 1986.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

Legendary game designer, programmer, Space Invaders champion, and LGBTQ trailblazer Rebecca Heineman has died

Rebecca Heineman, a pioneering figure in the gaming industry, passed away at the age of 62 following a recent cancer diagnosis. She was the first officially recognized U.S. champion of a video game, winning a national Space Invaders tournament in 1980. Over her career, she contributed to 67 games and was known for her programming skills, including porting titles like Wolfenstein 3D and Baldur's Gate. Heineman publicly embraced her identity as a transgender woman and was an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity in technology. She faced an aggressive cancer diagnosis in early 2024, prompting her to seek support through GoFundMe for treatment costs. After her passing, tributes from the gaming community highlighted her contributions to foundational games and her kindness towards others.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Wolfenstein 3D publisher recalls fight to distribute game in Germany — porn stores and plain packaging came to the rescue of 1990s FPS gamers

Wolfenstein 3D was released as shareware in 1992 and faced challenges in the German market due to its Nazi symbols, which conflicted with Germany's laws prohibiting unconstitutional iconography. In 1992, Germany attempted to stop the distribution of the game through a lawsuit against Compuserve, but Apogee Software, led by Scott Miller, successfully fought this legal battle, allowing the game's distribution in Germany. The voice acting for the game was performed by developers who did not know German, leading to humorous mispronunciations that amused German fans. Initially, the game was sold in adult stores alongside adult content, complicating its reception. Additionally, until the 2010s, Germany's Youth Protection Laws required significant alterations to game content, such as changing blood color, to comply with regulations and avoid censorship.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

Microsoft Just Added Over 45 New Games to Xbox Game Pass, Including Hogwarts Legacy and Ubisoft’s Back Catalog — Here’s the Full List

Microsoft has increased the monthly subscription fee for its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier from .99 to .99. The Ultimate tier now includes Ubisoft+ Classics and offers access to Hogwarts Legacy, which is also available in the new Premium tier but not in the Essential tier. The Premium tier has added over 40 new games, including Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy, and will provide new Xbox-published games within a year of their release, excluding Call of Duty titles. The Essential tier features over 50 games, including Hades and Cities: Skylines – Remastered.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

Two revolutionary 90s shooters shadow dropped on Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, and PC — Complete with enhanced performances, online multiplayer crossplay, and more

Bethesda Softworks has released Heretic+Hexen, a compilation of remastered editions of Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders and Hexen: Beyond Heretic, during QuakeCon 2025. The compilation is available on Xbox platforms, Xbox Game Pass, and PC via Windows and Steam. It includes the original titles, Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel, and two new episodes: Heretic: Faith Renewed and Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur, totaling 117 campaign maps and 120 deathmatch maps. The remastered versions feature online cross-platform deathmatch and co-op for up to 16 players, local split-screen for up to 8 players, an enhanced soundtrack, community mod support, improved performance with multithreaded rendering, accessibility options, modern controller support, and translations into 12 languages. Heretic+Hexen is available for purchase on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, and is included in Xbox Game Pass. A limited-time offer at CDKeys provides one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for .04.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

FPS legend John Romero says Wolfenstein 3D was the first game id Software took its time with⁠—a luxurious 4-month development instead of just 2

John Romero discussed the early 1990s transformation of PC gaming during a Nightdive Studios podcast, highlighting id Software's rapid development cycles and innovative technology. He noted that John Carmack's programming breakthroughs in September 1990 were pivotal, and that id Software's initial pitch to Nintendo for a Super Mario 3 port was rejected, leading to the creation of Commander Keen. In 1991, id released three Commander Keen sequels and Catacomb 3D. Romero emphasized a shift in development practices with Wolfenstein 3D, allowing for a four-month development period focused on quality. He contrasted the simpler processes of that time with today's complex game development landscape. Additionally, he mentioned the rise of the hunting game genre and the potential of indie developers, while noting that Romero Games is seeking a new publisher after Microsoft withdrew funding for a triple-A shooter project.

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

15 incredible DOS classics you can play in your browser

Between the late '80s and early '90s, DOS became the foundation of PC gaming, fostering innovation with advancements in 2.5D and 3D environments, first-person shooters, city-building simulations, and point-and-click adventures. DOS games are lightweight, allowing them to run on modern devices easily. Dangerous Dave (1988) is a nostalgic platformer that remains enjoyable today. Sid Meier's Civilization (1991) is considered one of the greatest DOS games, allowing players to build empires through various strategies. Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (1992) is credited with shaping the real-time strategy genre, introducing base-building and resource management. Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons (1990) set the standard for PC platformers with its vibrant gameplay. Carmageddon (1997) is an iconic car combat game known for its humor and chaos. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992) is a hallmark of the point-and-click genre with engaging puzzles. The Oregon Trail (1990) started as an educational tool and became a classic game blending survival strategy with humor. Command and Conquer (1995) revolutionized the RTS genre with engaging gameplay. X-COM: UFO Defense (1994) is known for its strategic gameplay where every decision matters. Wolfenstein 3D (1992) is a pioneer of the FPS genre, influencing many subsequent titles.

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

The 5 rarest PC games you’ll never own

PC gaming is a significant part of the video game industry, with both digital and physical releases appealing to gamers and collectors. - Dark Souls III (Prestige Edition): Released in 2016, this edition includes an art book, a metal case, and a 40cm Lord of Cinder figure. Loose versions can sell for around , while complete editions can exceed ,000. - Garage Bad Dream Adventure: A point-and-click horror game released in 1999 with only 3,000 copies produced. Complete copies are valued between ,500 and over ,200. - Rockford: An arcade game from 1988 adapted for home computers. Loose copies are valued over ,000, while complete-in-box versions can reach upwards of ,500, and sometimes exceed ,000 at auction. - Wolfenstein 3D: Released in 1992, this first-person shooter has loose copies valued around 0 and complete editions averaging around ,200, often fetching higher at auction. - Nora Princess And Stray Cat Heart: A 2016 adult visual novel with limited physical release. Loose versions exceed ,000, and complete-in-box editions can reach prices as high as ,000 at auctions. Physical releases in PC gaming are increasingly rare and valuable, often requiring significant financial investment to acquire.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

The greatest DOS games that defined the golden generation of DOS gaming

Before the rise of platforms like Steam, MS-DOS served as a foundation for many influential games that shaped the gaming landscape. - Dangerous Dave (1988): A slow-paced platformer known for its vibrant colors and imaginative enemies, though it was not widely successful. - Star Wars: TIE Fighter (1994): A game that provided a nostalgic experience of piloting spacecraft in a 3D environment, marking a formative moment in gaming. - Wolfenstein 3D (1992): An innovative title that showcased the potential of PC gaming and paved the way for future titles. - Sid Meier’s Civilization (1991): A highly influential game in the turn-based strategy genre, allowing players to build empires through strategy and diplomacy. - Prince of Persia (1989): Notable for its smooth animations and challenging gameplay, it laid the groundwork for future platformers. - SimCity 2000 (1993): A significant title in the city-building genre, allowing players to manage urban planning and budgets, influencing modern city simulation games. - DOOM (1993): A revolutionary first-person shooter that introduced fast-paced action and multiplayer gaming, establishing itself as a cornerstone of gaming history. MS-DOS gaming represents the starting point for many gamers, contributing to the evolution of gaming.