Besides the fact that the author has subtly altered the language in such a way that players find it challenging to communicate with the system, players find it is now impossible to leave the tiny apartment complex in which the character appears. The character is trapped within the walls of his room, just as players are trapped within the walls of language. Players begin to realize that although they control character commands, the decision whether or not the main character will abide by those commands has already been decided by Plotkins, and is not impacted by input from the player. The title “Interactive Fiction” assumes that interactivity is required in order to advance in any IF story, but what is not made clear is that such interactive control is restricted. Players may have the ability to command character actions and respond after appropriate language has been typed, but even then, the system presents a given story that only changes sequence, not the ultimate outcome, thereby restricting the freedom that players are assumed to have.

Os | Yatg