Third-Person Shooter (TPS) games are a big deal in the gaming world. They give players a special view that mixes exciting action and smart gameplay. Let's look at how these games started and how they've changed over time to become the exciting experiences we have today. The Birth of TPS: Late 20th Century The roots of TPS games can be traced back to the late 20th century. Games like "Max Payne" (2001) and "WinBack: Covert Operations" (1999) are considered pioneers in bringing the third-person perspective to the forefront. Max Payne, in particular, introduced the bullet time mechanic, allowing players to slow down time for dramatic and cinematic gunfights.