Isometric Projection: Difference between revisions

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=== Video Game Examples: ===
=== Video Game Examples: ===
* ''[[The Adventures of Robin Hood (Video Game)|The Adventures of Robin Hood]]''
* ''[[The Adventures of Robin Hood (video game)|The Adventures of Robin Hood]]''
* ''[[Age of Empires I (Video Game)|Age of Empires I]]'' and ''[[Age of Empires II (Video Game)|Age of Empires II]]''
* ''[[Age of Empires I (Video Game)|Age of Empires I]]'' and ''[[Age of Empires II]]''
* ''[[Ant Attack]]'', strong contender for the [[Ur Example]] and an even stronger one for the [[Trope Namer]] in gaming (its creator, Sandy White, took the word "isometric" from his old work as an architect after he recognized the in-game city's similarities to [[MC Escher]]'s drawings; the city was named Antescher in tribute).
* ''[[Ant Attack]]'', strong contender for the [[Ur Example]] and an even stronger one for the [[Trope Namer]] in gaming (its creator, Sandy White, took the word "isometric" from his old work as an architect after he recognized the in-game city's similarities to [[M. C. Escher]]'s drawings; the city was named Antescher in tribute).
* ''[[Arcanum]]''
* ''[[Arcanum]]''
** ''[[Temple of Elemental Evil]]'': A Classic [[Greyhawk]] Adventure uses the view, despite the characters ([[Sprite Polygon Mix|the backgrounds are 2d]]) being polygons (same company).
** ''[[Temple of Elemental Evil]]'': A Classic [[Greyhawk]] Adventure uses the view, despite the characters ([[Sprite Polygon Mix|the backgrounds are 2d]]) being polygons (same company).
* ''A-Train III'' and ''IV''
* ''A-Train III'' and ''IV''
* ''[[Avernum]]''
* ''[[Avernum]]''
* ''[[Baldurs Gate|Baldur's Gate]]''
* ''[[Baldur's Gate]]''
* ''[[Boktai (Video Game)|Boktai]]'' and its sequels (including the Nintendo DS sequel known as ''Lunar Knights'' in North America)
* ''[[Boktai]]'' and its sequels (including the Nintendo DS sequel known as ''Lunar Knights'' in North America)
* ''[[Brandish (Video Game)|Brandish]] 4''
* ''[[Brandish]] 4''
* ''[[Breath of Fire III (Video Game)|Breath of Fire III]]'' and ''[[Breath of Fire IV (Video Game)|IV]]''
* ''[[Breath of Fire III]]'' and ''[[Breath of Fire IV|IV]]''
* ''[[Cadaver (Video Game)|Cadaver]]''
* ''[[Cadaver (video game)|Cadaver]]''
* ''[[Civilization]] II'' and ''III''; Civ 1 has a bird's eye view, while 4 and 5 feature a 3D world that generally hangs out at a 3/4ths view.
* ''[[Civilization]] II'' and ''III''; Civ 1 has a bird's eye view, while 4 and 5 feature a 3D world that generally hangs out at a 3/4ths view.
* ''[[Command and Conquer]]'' games ''Red Alert 2'' and ''Tiberian Sun'', compared to the top-down views of the first installments and full 3D of the third installments.
* ''[[Command and Conquer]]'' games ''Red Alert 2'' and ''Tiberian Sun'', compared to the top-down views of the first installments and full 3D of the third installments.
* ''[[Congo Bongo]]'' (platform game similar to ''[[Donkey Kong]]'', but uses the same engine as ''Zaxxon'')
* ''[[Congo Bongo]]'' (platform game similar to ''[[Donkey Kong]]'', but uses the same engine as ''Zaxxon'')
* ''[[Crystal Castles (Video Game)|Crystal Castles]]'' (uses the "trimetric" projection variant)
* ''[[Crystal Castles (video game)|Crystal Castles]]'' (uses the "trimetric" projection variant)
* ''[[Culdcept]]''
* ''[[Culdcept]]''
* ''[[Deadly Towers]]''
* ''[[Deadly Towers]]''
* ''[[Desert Strike]]'' (and by extension, the rest of the ''Strike'' series)
* ''[[Desert Strike]]'' (and by extension, the rest of the ''Strike'' series)
* ''[[Devil Survivor (Video Game)|Devil Survivor]]''
* ''[[Devil Survivor]]''
* ''[[Diablo]] 1'' and ''2''.
* ''[[Diablo]] 1'' and ''2''.
* ''[[Earthbound (Video Game)|Earthbound]]'' uses this perspective when you visit Fourside, though it's a notable 45° instead of the traditional 30°-ish. This actually enhances the "city with tall buildings" effect.
* ''[[Earthbound]]'' uses this perspective when you visit Fourside, though it's a notable 45° instead of the traditional 30°-ish. This actually enhances the "city with tall buildings" effect.
* ''Enduro Racer'' ([[Sega Master System]] version only)
* ''Enduro Racer'' ([[Sega Master System]] version only)
* ''[[Evony]]''
* ''[[Evony]]''
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* ''[[Hoshigami]]''
* ''[[Hoshigami]]''
* ''[[The Immortal]]''
* ''[[The Immortal]]''
* ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'' (the [[Game Boy Advance]] version, not the [[PS 2]] remake)
* ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' (the [[Game Boy Advance]] version, not the [[Play Station 2]] remake)
* ''[[Landstalker]]''
* ''[[Landstalker]]''
* ''[[Tomb Raider|Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light]]''
* ''[[Tomb Raider|Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light]]''
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* ''[[Marble Madness]]''
* ''[[Marble Madness]]''
* ''[[Marchen Maze]]'' (platformer by Namco)
* ''[[Marchen Maze]]'' (platformer by Namco)
* ''Marvin's Maze'' (maze game by SNK superficially similar to [[Pacman]])
* ''Marvin's Maze'' (maze game by SNK superficially similar to [[Pac-Man]])
* ''[[Megaman Battle Network]]'' and its successor ''[[Mega Man Star Force]]''
* ''[[Mega Man Battle Network]]'' and its successor ''[[Mega Man Star Force]]''
* ''Michael Jackson's Moonwalker'' (Sega arcade game)
* ''Michael Jackson's Moonwalker'' (Sega arcade game)
* ''[[Mitsumete Knight (Video Game)|Mitsumete Knight R : Daibouken Hen]]''
* ''[[Mitsumete Knight|Mitsumete Knight R : Daibouken Hen]]''
* the [[Nintendo DS]] version of ''[[My Sims]] Agents''
* the [[Nintendo DS]] version of ''[[My Sims]] Agents''
* ''[[Mystic Towers]]''
* ''[[Mystic Towers]]''
* ''[[Pacman|Pac-Mania]]'', sort of. Only the vertical axes are this, the horizontal ones are straightforward left/right.
* ''[[Pac-Man|Pac-Mania]]'', sort of. Only the vertical axes are this, the horizontal ones are straightforward left/right.
* ''[[Paperboy]]''
* ''[[Paperboy]]''
* ''[[Planescape Torment|Planescape: Torment]]''
* ''[[Planescape: Torment]]''
* ''[[Populous]]''
* ''[[Populous]]''
* ''[[Postal]]''
* ''[[Postal]]''
* ''[[Project Zomboid]]''
* ''[[Project Zomboid]]''
* ''[[Qbert]]''
* ''[[Q*bert]]''
* ''[[Ragnarok Online]]''
* ''[[Ragnarok Online]]''
* ''[[RC Pro Am]]'' and its sequels
* ''[[RC Pro Am]]'' and its sequels
* ''RPM Racing'' for the Super NES, and it's more famous sequel [[Rock N Roll Racing]]
* ''RPM Racing'' for the Super NES, and it's more famous sequel [[Rock N Roll Racing]]
* ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (arcade game by [[Atari]] based on the movie)
* ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (arcade game by [[Atari]] based on the movie)
* ''[[Roller Coaster Tycoon]]'', the first and second games. The third is in full 3D, but still has an option to view the 3D landscape at an Insometric Angle.
* ''[[Rollercoaster Tycoon]]'', the first and second games. The third is in full 3D, but still has an option to view the 3D landscape at an Insometric Angle.
* ''[[Scurge Hive]]'' has received the fan nickname "Isometroid" due to its isometric viewpoint and otherwise resembling another series. There actually was an Isometroid fanproject, taking the original game and displaying it from an angle, but as far as I know it never went anywhere.
* ''[[Scurge: Hive]]'' has received the fan nickname "Isometroid" due to its isometric viewpoint and otherwise resembling another series. There actually was an Isometroid fanproject, taking the original game and displaying it from an angle, but as far as I know it never went anywhere.
* ''[[Shadowrun]]'' for the Super NES
* ''[[Shadowrun]]'' for the Super NES
* ''[[Sim City]] 2000'' and its sequels, [[Trope Codifier]]
* ''[[Sim City]] 2000'' and its sequels, [[Trope Codifier]]
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* ''[[Snake Rattle and Roll|Snake Rattle 'n' Roll]]''
* ''[[Snake Rattle and Roll|Snake Rattle 'n' Roll]]''
* ''Solstice'', ''Altered Space'' and ''Equinox''. The second game wasn't technically part of the series, but it might as well have been.
* ''Solstice'', ''Altered Space'' and ''Equinox''. The second game wasn't technically part of the series, but it might as well have been.
* ''[[Sonic 3D Flickies Island (Video Game)|Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]''
* ''[[Sonic 3D Flickies Island|Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]''
** ''[[Sonic Chronicles]]'' is another ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (Franchise)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' game from this viewpoint.
** ''[[Sonic Chronicles]]'' is another ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' game from this viewpoint.
** There's also the [[Game Gear]] game ''[[Sonic Labyrinth]]'' and the [[Arcade Game]] ''[[Sega Sonic the Hedgehog]]''.
** There's also the [[Game Gear]] game ''[[Sonic Labyrinth]]'' and the [[Arcade Game]] ''[[Sega Sonic the Hedgehog]]''.
* ''[[Cool Spot|Spot Goes To Hollywood]]''
* ''[[Cool Spot|Spot Goes To Hollywood]]''
* ''[[Starcraft]]'', leading to Artanis' [[Stop Poking Me]] line, "I ''know'' it's not 3D!" while comparing ''Starcraft'' to ''Warcraft''.
* ''[[Starcraft]]'', leading to Artanis' [[Stop Poking Me]] line, "I ''know'' it's not 3D!" while comparing ''Starcraft'' to ''Warcraft''.
* ''[[Super Mario 3D Land (Video Game)|Super Mario 3D Land]]'' uses this in certain areas. These tend to use [[Forced Perspective]] when it comes to jumping on platforms and footholds.
* ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' uses this in certain areas. These tend to use [[Forced Perspective]] when it comes to jumping on platforms and footholds.
* ''[[Super Mario RPG (Video Game)|Super Mario RPG]]''
* ''[[Super Mario RPG]]''
* ''[[Super Robot Wars]]'' <ref>Only some of them, others use a top-down perspective. Hardware power seems to be the deciding factor: The Playstation games use Isometric, while the Game Boy Advance games use top-down, for example.</ref>
* ''[[Super Robot Wars]]'' <ref>Only some of them, others use a top-down perspective. Hardware power seems to be the deciding factor: The Playstation games use Isometric, while the Game Boy Advance games use top-down, for example.</ref>
** Ditto ''[[Battle Moon Wars]]'', as it is an [[Affectionate Parody]] set in the [[Nasuverse]]
** Ditto ''[[Battle Moon Wars]]'', as it is an [[Affectionate Parody]] set in the [[Nasuverse]]
* ''[[Syndicate (Video Game)|Syndicate]]''
* ''[[Syndicate]]''
* ''[[Tactics Ogre]]'', both the original, ''Let's Cling Together'', and its {{spoiler|prequel}}, ''Knight of Lodis''.
* ''[[Tactics Ogre]]'', both the original, ''Let's Cling Together'', and its {{spoiler|prequel}}, ''Knight of Lodis''.
* ''[[Theme Hospital]]''
* ''[[Theme Hospital]]''
* ''[[Tibia]]''
* ''[[Tibia]]''
* ''[[Torchlight (Video Game)|Torchlight]]''
* ''[[Torchlight]]''
* The Childhood Mode of ''[[Tokimeki Memorial|Tokimeki Memorial 2]]''
* The Childhood Mode of ''[[Tokimeki Memorial|Tokimeki Memorial 2]]''
* ''[[Transport Tycoon]]''
* ''[[Transport Tycoon]]''
* ''[[Tropico]]''
* ''[[Tropico]]''
* ''[[Ultima VII]]'' had what was probably one of the strongest and most distinctive isometric designs for all its graphics, which showed up again in ''[[Ultima Online]]''.
* ''[[Ultima VII]]'' had what was probably one of the strongest and most distinctive isometric designs for all its graphics, which showed up again in ''[[Ultima Online]]''.
* Most of the [[Turn Based Strategy]] games by [[Nippon Ichi]]:
* Most of the [[Turn-Based Strategy]] games by [[Nippon Ichi]]:
** ''[[La Pucelle]]''
** ''[[La Pucelle]]''
** ''[[Phantom Brave]]''
** ''[[Phantom Brave]]''
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* ''Viewpoint''
* ''Viewpoint''
* ''[[X-COM]]'' and its brethren.
* ''[[X-COM]]'' and its brethren.
* ''[[Zaxxon (Video Game)|Zaxxon]]'' and ''Super Zaxxon''
* ''[[Zaxxon]]'' and ''Super Zaxxon''
* ''[[Zoo Tycoon]]''
* ''[[Zoo Tycoon]]''


=== Other Examples: ===
=== Other Examples: ===
* Several Comcast commercials feature people driving around in an isometrically projected city/town, most likely in a [[Homage]] to [[Sim City]] 2000.
* Several Comcast commercials feature people driving around in an isometrically projected city/town, most likely in a [[Homage]] to [[Sim City]] 2000.
* [[MC Escher]] used isometric projection to create many of his iconic [[Alien Geometries]]. The same sort of line can be used for height and distance in an [[Isometric Projection]], and so Escher used the same line to represent both -- and left which one to the ever-shifting context.
* [[M. C. Escher]] used isometric projection to create many of his iconic [[Alien Geometries]]. The same sort of line can be used for height and distance in an [[Isometric Projection]], and so Escher used the same line to represent both -- and left which one to the ever-shifting context.
* ''Habbo Hotel''
* ''Habbo Hotel''
* ''[[Homestuck]]'' mainly uses this perspective.
* ''[[Homestuck]]'' mainly uses this perspective.

Revision as of 13:05, 8 April 2014

Looking down on City Name


From The Other Wiki: Isometric projection is a form of graphical projection, more specifically, a form of axonometric projection. It is a method of visually representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions, in which the three coordinate axes appear equally foreshortened and the angles between any two of them are 120 degrees.

In layman's speak, it's a way of faking perspective by squashing the vertical axes, thus forcing perpendicular angles to look wider. Also, close up objects appear the same size as distant objects.

In the days before true 3-D graphics, isometric projection was one of the ways artists suggested depth. Developed and formalized in the 19th century for technical and architectural drawings, it remains a popular way of creating 3-D-esque graphics in video games, especially for handheld systems.

Of course, in many cases in video games, the projection is not actually isometric in the mathematical sense, because a 26.57° slope is much easier to draw on square pixels than a 30° slope. But that would be nitpicking, so these games are called "isometric" anyway. The term can also refer to the vastly different Trimetric Projection (such as in Fallout 1 & 2 or SimCity 4).

The weakness of Isometric Geometry is that the same sort of line can be either distance or height, or even both in some cases. Usually, it's easy to tell; but no proper Penrose staircase could be built without this concept.

See also Top Down View, Side View and Three Quarters View.

Video Game Examples:

Other Examples:

  • Several Comcast commercials feature people driving around in an isometrically projected city/town, most likely in a Homage to Sim City 2000.
  • M. C. Escher used isometric projection to create many of his iconic Alien Geometries. The same sort of line can be used for height and distance in an Isometric Projection, and so Escher used the same line to represent both -- and left which one to the ever-shifting context.
  • Habbo Hotel
  • Homestuck mainly uses this perspective.
  • Japanese DJ Halfby's music videos by Groovisions use isometric projection. See here, for instance.
  • The art of pixel art group eBoy.
  1. ↑ only the first installment of the game; The Sims 2 and 3 are in 3D.
  2. ↑ Only some of them, others use a top-down perspective. Hardware power seems to be the deciding factor: The Playstation games use Isometric, while the Game Boy Advance games use top-down, for example.
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