In video games and pixel art,
"isometric" refers to some form of
parallel projection (commonly, the form of
dimetric projection with a 2:1 pixel ratio) where the viewpoint is rotated slightly to reveal other facets of the game environment than are typically visible from a
top-down perspective or side view, thereby producing a three-dimensional effect. In almost all cases, however, the term "isometric" is misapplied; in true
isometric projection, the representations of the
x,
y and
z axes are strictly oriented 120° to each other, whereas in other views the angles may vary. The terms "3/4 perspective", "
2.5D" and "pseudo-3D" are also commonly used, though these terms can possess alternate meanings as well.