1995

The Transition from 2D to 3D. In the mid-1990s, the video game industry underwent a major technological transformation as graphics began shifting from two-dimensional (2D) designs to three-dimensional (3D) game worlds.

 

An important milestone in this transition was the Sony PlayStation, released in 1994 in Japan and in 1995 in Europe and North America. The system was specifically designed to support 3D polygon-based graphics.

This made it possible to create three-dimensional environments, dynamic camera perspectives, and more complex animations. Games became more immersive and offered entirely new gameplay possibilities.

Titles such as Ridge Racer, Tekken, and later Tomb Raider demonstrated the potential of this new technology and helped make the PlayStation one of the most successful consoles of its era.

The shift from 2D to 3D graphics permanently changed the video game industry and shaped the development of modern games.