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 220.5 - Quantum Computing
Ludology 220 - Adventures in Storytelling
Biography of a Board Game 219.5 - Trivial Pursuit
Ludology 219 - Professor Scott's Wild Ride
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
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