The Windows version (only) of TADS 3 comes with a “Workbench” addition that makes it much more accessible to non-programmers, and more convenient to use in general. [2] X Research source Programmers may be interested in this in-depth comparison between Inform 7 and TADS 3.
Hugo ALAN
Quest (more similar to the IF tools above) Twine (easy to use visual editor) StoryNexus (the player clicks options instead of guessing what to type; StoryNexus hosts your game online)
The documentation or tutorial for your software should introduce you to these commands, and how to include them in your game. Often, a game has additional unique commands, which can be anything from “twirl baton” to “mow lawn. " These options should always be made clear to the player, unless you are putting them in as jokes or Easter eggs that are not required to complete the game.
Alternatively, you can make a project that’s focused more on the decisions the player makes, instead of the puzzles he solves. This could be an emotional story focused on the player’s relationship with other characters, or a plot-based story where the player has many decisions to make, then witnesses the consequences in later scenes. This may still use a geographic map, or it could use “rooms” that are more like scenes, with the player progressing through several vignettes that explore these themes.
Introduction: You redeemed your entire collection of pudding coupons for this yacht, and now it’s adrift at sea. Typical luck. Better see whether Lucy weathered the storm. You think she was in the engine room when it hit. Logistics and content warning: Welcome to The Frugal Man’s Yacht Trip. Type check coupons to see your current collection. Use the command redeem followed by the name of the coupon to use these mysteriously helpful items. Warning: game depicts mild violence and cannibalism. Room description: You are standing in an oak-panelled bunk room. The metal bunk frame fell over during the storm, and the only mattress lies torn and soggy under the liquor cabinet. There is a closed door to the north.
examine mattress – Stuffed with finest quality goose feathers, most of which are now floating around the room. Soggy and smells of booze. x me – You are exhausted, and wearing only the ragged pink bathrobe you put on just before the storm hit. The bathrobe has a pocket and a cotton sash. open door – The doorknob turns, but won’t open. It feels like there’s something heavy on the other side.
pick up mattress – As soon as you lift it, a reek of tequila assaults your nose. That explains why this mattress is soggy. . . you toss it to the side and wipe your hands on your bathrobe. x room – You are standing in an oak-panelled bunk room. The metal bunk frame fell over during the storm, and the only mattress lies torn and soggy in the corner. A liquor cabinet is in the corner. There is a closed door to the north. A broken bottle is on the floor. pick up bottle – You pick up the broken bottle of tequila. Waste not, want not. x pocket – Your wallet is still there. Phew. x wallet – You may have given up the pudding coupons, but you still have your emergency coupon wallet. Right now you have a a crowbar coupon and a whistle coupon. redeem crowbar – You hold up the crowbar coupon and clear your throat. The coupon drifts away, and a moment later a hefty crowbar falls into your hand. open door with crowbar – You insert the crowbar into the gap of the doorframe and push hard. A growl on the other side startles you. One more attempt should open the door, but you’d better have a weapon ready. open door with crowbar – This time there isn’t even a weight on the door. It swings open easily, to reveal a large grey wolf staring at you! Better think fast – you can only choose one option. hit wolf with bottle – You wallop the wolf right on the nose with the broken bottle. It whimpers and runs off. The way north is now clear.
Always use valid object names in the room description. For example, if a player walks into the room and sees a description of “a painting,” make sure “painting” is the term for that object in your game. If you carelessly use the term “picture” instead, players will have to guess at how to interact with it. [4] X Research source Allow synonyms for verbs. Take some time to think about how a player might try to use objects. [5] X Research source A button should respond to both “push button” and “press button. " An enemy should give the option to “attack,” “punch,” and “hit,” plus “use (any item that could be treated as a weapon) on (enemy). "
Giving puzzles more than one solution makes them feel much more realistic, as does allowing a single item to be used in multiple puzzles or in multiple ways. Make the puzzles feel relevant. There should be a reason your character needs to solve the puzzle. [7] X Research source Avoid artificial puzzles such as towers of Hanoi, mazes, and logic puzzles. [8] X Research source
Don’t make important events hinge on a die roll. For the most part, if a player has figured out what to do, he should succeed 100% of the time. Provide hints for difficult puzzles, and don’t put in more than two or three red herrings. Don’t make a puzzle that can’t be solved on the first playthrough, such as one that requires knowledge of the next area or a trial-and-error puzzle that kills you if you don’t guess correctly. It’s fine to permanently close off an area partway through the game, but the player should be given fair warning before this happens. If a choice makes the game unwinnable, this should be obvious in advance, and it should end the game instead of letting the player keep trying with no hope of winning.
The IF Gems collection of quotes. IF Theory Book Craft of Adventure
Save often or use the “undo” command, if available, so you can try different paths without starting from the beginning each time.
Share links to your game on social media and on interactive fiction forums for more exposure. The vast majority of text-based games are offered for free. You can charge money for it, but if this is your first project and you don’t have an existing fan base, don’t expect many buyers.
