# Descent

> 1995 first-person shooter game

**Wikidata**: [Q1200546](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1200546)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descent_(video_game))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/descent

## Summary
Descent is a pioneering 1995 first-person shooter game notable for its six degrees of freedom movement system, which allowed players to navigate fully in three-dimensional space. Developed by Parallax Software and published by Interplay Entertainment, it challenged conventional first-person shooter limitations with its underground mine environments set on Mars and other celestial bodies.

## Key Facts
- Descent is a 1995 first-person shooter game developed by Parallax Software, an American video game company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- The game was published by Interplay Entertainment, an American game developer and publisher based in Beverly Hills, California.
- Development cost $450,000 while marketing budget reached $1,000,000, totaling $1.45 million for production.
- Released across multiple platforms including DOS (March 17, 1995), PlayStation (1996), Classic Mac OS (February 1996), Linux, and later Windows and macOS.
- Features six degrees of freedom movement, allowing players to move and rotate freely in all directions, distinguishing it from contemporary FPS games.
- Set in the year 2169 primarily on Mars, with additional levels on the Moon and the fictional planet Titan.
- Supports single-player, multiplayer, and co-op game modes with keyboard, joystick, and mouse as input devices.

## FAQs
### Q: What makes Descent unique among first-person shooters of its time?
A: Descent pioneered six degrees of freedom movement, allowing players full navigation in three-dimensional space rather than being limited to horizontal movement like contemporary FPS games. This innovation created a more immersive flight and combat experience within underground mine environments.

### Q: Who developed Descent and when was it released?
A: Descent was developed by Parallax Software and published by Interplay Entertainment. It was originally released on March 17, 1995 for DOS, with ports following for other platforms including PlayStation in 1996 and Classic Mac OS in February 1996.

### Q: What is the setting and story of Descent?
A: The game is set in the year 2169, primarily on Mars, with additional levels on the Moon and the fictional planet Titan. Players pilot a spaceship through underground mines fighting rogue robots in a first-person perspective.

### Q: How has Descent been preserved over time?
A: Descent has been preserved through various initiatives including an Internet Archive entry, source code repository on GitHub, and digital re-releases on platforms like Steam and PlayStation Store.

### Q: What platforms can Descent be played on today?
A: Descent can be played on its original platforms including DOS, and modern systems through Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS. It's also available through digital distribution platforms like Steam and PlayStation Store.

## Why It Matters
Descent was a groundbreaking title that expanded the possibilities of first-person shooters by introducing true 3D movement with six degrees of freedom, allowing players to navigate and combat in all directions rather than being confined to horizontal planes common in FPS games of the era. Developed by Parallax Software with a significant investment of $1.45 million (combining development and marketing costs), the game demonstrated how technical innovation could create compelling gameplay experiences. Its commercial success validated the market for 3D movement shooters and influenced subsequent game design, particularly in the space combat genre. Descent also showcased the potential of multiplayer gaming in three-dimensional environments, contributing to the evolution of online gaming. The game's longevity through multiple platform releases and modern ports demonstrates its enduring appeal and importance in video game history.

## Notable For
- Pioneering six degrees of freedom movement in first-person shooters before mainstream adoption of full 3D navigation
- Underground mine environments set on Mars, Moon, and Titan in the year 2169
- Production budget of $1.45 million ($450k development, $1M marketing) showing industry confidence in the title
- Cross-platform availability across DOS, Linux, Windows, macOS, Classic Mac OS, and PlayStation
- Recognition as a cult classic with preserved source code and active community

## Body
### Development
Descent was developed by Parallax Software, an American video game company founded in 1993 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company specialized in the video game industry and brought Descent to life with a development budget of $450,000. For programming, the team used C++ language, which was relatively modern for the mid-1990s. Parallax Software created the game as their first major release, establishing a foundation for their future work in the genre.

### Publishing
The game was published by Interplay Entertainment, an American game developer and publisher founded in October 1983 and headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. Interplay allocated $1,000,000 for marketing the title, reflecting their confidence in its commercial potential. For the Macintosh version, MacPlay served as the specialized publisher, tailoring the game specifically for Apple computers. This multi-publisher approach helped maximize distribution across different platforms.

### Technical Features
Descent introduced six degrees of freedom movement to first-person shooters, allowing players to navigate freely in all three dimensions. This technical innovation distinguished it from contemporary FPS games that were largely restricted to horizontal movement. The game required specific input devices including computer keyboard, joystick, and computer mouse for comprehensive control. It was programmed in C++ and distributed on floppy disks initially, with later versions available on CD-ROM.

### Platforms and Release
The game was initially released on March 17, 1995 for DOS. This was followed by a PlayStation release in 1996 and Classic Mac OS version in February 1996. Linux support was added, demonstrating the game's cross-platform compatibility. In modern times, Descent has been ported to Microsoft Windows and macOS through digital distribution platforms. The game has been preserved through Internet Archive and GitHub source code repository initiatives.

### Gameplay Elements
Descent combines first-person shooter mechanics with "shoot 'em up" elements, creating a unique gameplay experience. It supports single-player, multiplayer, and co-op game modes, allowing various forms of player interaction. The main subject involves combat with robots, which serve as primary enemies. Players control a spaceship through complex underground mine environments, navigating through tunnels and caverns in full 3D space.

### Setting and Narrative
The game is set in the year 2169, with primary locations on Mars. Additional levels are set on the Moon and the fictional planet Titan. This space-based setting provided a distinctive backdrop for the action-oriented gameplay. The narrative locations represent humanity's expansion into space and the challenges faced when mining resources on other celestial bodies.

### Legacy and Distribution
Descent is part of the Descent series, with Descent II serving as a direct sequel. The game has been distributed through multiple formats including physical media (floppy disks, CD-ROM) and digital distribution (Steam, PlayStation Store). Its legacy includes being referenced in modern gaming discussions, particularly for its six degrees of freedom movement system that was ahead of its time. The game has been archived and preserved through various initiatives to ensure its historical significance is maintained.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "VideoGame",
  "name": "Descent",
  "description": "1995 first-person shooter game developed by Parallax Software",
  "url": "http://interplay.com/games/descent.php",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1200546",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descent_(video_game)"
  ],
  "gamePlatform": [
    "DOS",
    "Linux",
    "Microsoft Windows",
    "macOS",
    "Classic Mac OS",
    "PlayStation"
  ],
  "author": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Parallax Software"
  },
  "genre": ["First-person shooter", "Shoot 'em up"],
  "datePublished": "1995-03-17",
  "gameMode": ["Single-player", "Multiplayer", "Co-op"],
  "character": "Robot",
  "setting": {
    "spatial": ["Mars", "Moon", "Titan"],
    "temporal": "2169"
  }
}

## References

1. redump.org
2. Steam
3. MusicBrainz
4. [Source](https://archive.org/details/manual_Descent)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. GOG.com
7. [Category:Video games set on Mars - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Video_games_set_on_Mars?oldid=616700857#Pages_in_category)
8. [Category:Video games set on fictional planets - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Video_games_set_on_fictional_planets?oldid=947236491#Pages_in_category)
9. ESRB rating database
10. [Forsaken Remastered - the welcome return of the six-degrees shooter. 2018](https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2018-08-12-forsaken-remastered-the-return-of-the-six-degrees-shooter)
11. PCGamingWiki
12. [Source](https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C33674)
13. [PCGamingWiki](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Descent)
14. Giant Bomb