Score
(1) An integer of points out of a maximum score which represents how far the player has progressed through the game. For example, "189 out of 200 points" would indicate the player is quite close to completion. It is often possible to complete a game without the full number of points, sometimes irritatingly just one short (see last lousy point). Some modern IF games do not have a score system.
(2) The command (usually a meta-command) to see the player's current score. Some systems such as Inform allow a "full score" system which displays a breakdown of each point-gaining action, and even a rank based on their progress (e.g. "You have scored 3 out of 100 points, giving you the rank of Novice" or "You have scored 212 out of 250 points, giving you the rank of Expert.")
Variations
- In Textfire Golf (Adam Cadre; 2001; Z-code) the player's score is a golf scorecard; the score is thus a real part of the game world, and has effects on NPC behaviour. A high score may not necessarily be reflected in a better ending.
- Zero Sum Game (Cody Sandifer; 1997; TADS 2) and Janitor (Peter Seebach and Kevin Lynn; 2002; Z-code) start with a maximum score, and require the player to 'reset' it to zero.
- Small World (Andrew D. Pontious; 1996; TADS 2) uses fractional scoring. For example, you might be awarded .01 point for solving a puzzle. The full score is 1 point.
Links
- Scoring in the IF Gems review quotes collection (also available from the IF Archive).
- Discussions about scoring on the rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroup.