For those who have never experimented with IF, the experience can be rather peculiar as users are in total control of the narrative once they adapt to proper use of the system. One of the earliest Interactive Fiction games recorded in digital history was created in 1977 in the state of Kentucky by Will Crowther, and named Adventure. The IF game, which was advanced for its time, consisted of 700 lines of data and FORTRAN (code) in order to allow messages to successfully come and go from sender to receiver. The creation was revolutionary as it prompted a new genre built upon the traditional narrative found in books, while developing a newfound sense of involvement among readers as it expanded their agency, allowing for their choices to alter the outcome of the story, thus creating a sense of deeper engagement. For decades, Interactive Fiction has served as a platform that allows literary enthusiasts to believe their interactivity guides the conversation in ways other than the traditional fixed story format.

Stay | Go