Choose Your Own Animation

A portion of the GET LAMP documentary discusses Choose Your Own Adventure books, also known as “game books” and a bunch of other names (not all were called “Choose Your Own Adventure” and there were thousands of them). While there’s no direct lineage between text adventures and CYOA (I checked this, there really isn’t), there’s that same sense of chopped-up narrative and the unique interesting aspects of the feeling of freedom of destiny that both of these products brought to the world. And there is a little overlap here and there; for example, Steve Meretzky created a number of gamebook based on the Zork world at one point.

Recently, after over a year of work, Christian Swinehart released an online exhibit allowing you to experience these books interactively, graphically, and via animations. It is, frankly, amazing.

The exhibit has an explanation at this page, but I would suggest going right to one of the gallery pages and just experiencing it. It’s that amazing. Amazing work, Christian.

Interactive Fiction Competition Winners Announced

The Interactive Fiction Competition Winners have been announced. Congratulations to Rover’s Day Out, Broken Legs, and Snowquest for winning!

While playing these three games based on their winning scores is encouraged, bear in mind the others are good too. Check the results page to see the weighted scores, and consider playing the newest of the new in (award-winning) interactive fiction!