How did they design these pre-rendered backgrounds?

[Anonymous]

In the old video games, how did they design these pre-rendered background images exactly? Are these real pictures or what? What is the method? Why were they so realistic?

For example, stars team room in resident evil 2 (1998):

[genericname85]

there were 3d rendering programmes and high end computers that could render these images back in the day. it would probably take days or months for one render. but once it was rendered, they could just use it as a jpeg backround xD

[boobliker]

this one would of been a real office they took a photo of the just fender it in as and when!

[msc545]

A LOT of very good coding.

[Wise4myage]

With a lot of skill.