MONOLITH Compound 3D · The Engine That Became LithTech (1995 Tech Demo)

MONOLITH Compound 3D is a fascinating technical prototype of the Raycasting Algorithmic Graphical Engine, developed by Monolith Productions, and released in this demo form in February 1995. This futuristic 3D environment, known internally as "RAGE," was an early preview of the technology that would later evolve into the famous LithTech engine.

As you move through the single test map, you are experiencing an early C++ object-based, cross-platform engine designed to support both bitmap sprites and polygon objects, a capability that was a notable achievement at the time. The engine features texture mapping on walls, ceilings, and floors, along with region light sourcing, which provided an atmospheric feel comparable to early engines like id Tech used by DOOM and the Build engine used by Duke Nukem 3D.

For those who choose to venture into the environment, pressing the Insert key allows you to throw a stream of colorful, bouncing "magic balls." Though the current version uses flat-shaded polygons, Monolith had ambitious plans to introduce texture-mapped polygons, vertex light sourcing for Gouraud shading, and more complex Gouraud or Phong specular light models.

Since this prototype doesn't have any sounds at all, you'll hear the music of Shogo: Mobile Armour Division instead.