Legendary Interactive Fiction writer Andrew Plotkin joins Gil and Emma to talk about text-based stories that players can participate in. We explore the form's history and unique strengths, and discuss what good writing can bring to a game's experience.
Interactive Fiction platforms mentioned in this episode:
Inform Twine ChoiceScript InkCheck out some of Andrew's IF work:
Shade Spider & Web Hadean LandsOther video games mentioned in this episode:
Colossal Cave Adventure Zork Donut County 80 Days Heaven's Vault Galatea AI Dungeon No Man's SkyBoard games and analog IF mentioned in this episode:
Werewolf 7th Continent 1,001 Odysseys Choose Your Own Adventure™ books Meanwhile Fighting Fantasy books Leanna Fled the Cranberry BogIf you would like to explore the world of IF, a good place to start is the Interactive Fiction Database - it's like the BGG of IF!
Some good games to start with (this is hardly an authoritative list):
9:05 - You can easily play this in one sitting, and in most cases, you will want to immediately play again when you finish it the first time. Photopia - This is a spectacularly well-written game, but it can bring up some intense emotions. The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo - A fun horror game. Howling Dogs - This is a work by Porpentine, whom Gil has raved about several times on the show and this episode. Be sure to find both endings. Counterfeit Monkey - A fairly long game by Emily Short built around some remarkably brilliant word-manipulation mechanisms. You will likely need to use an emulator if you want to save your game and use the game's graphical map.Enjoy exploring the IF rabbit hole!
GameTek Classic 218.5 - Alpha Zero
Ludology 218 - Building Games, Bit By Bit
Biography of a Board Game 217.5 - Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots
GameTek Classic 216.5 - Path Dependence
Ludology 216 - Buonohardcore 2020
Ludology 215 - Table Topics
Biography of a Board Game 214.5 - Mafia/Werewolf
Ludology 214 - Escape from Reality
GameTek 213.5 - The Incan Gold Experiment
Ludology 213 - Your Humble Narrator
Ludology 212.5 - Naked Baby Photos
Ludology 212 - Inventing Play
GameTek 211.5 - Cameron Browne
Ludology 211 - Pandamonium! Redux
Biography of a Board Game 210.5 - Wings of War
Ludology 210 - The Way to a Gamer's Heart
GameTek Classic 209.5 - The Vice of Dice
Ludology 209 - The 6 Zones of Play
Biography of a Board Game 208.5 - Space Cadets
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