Theory

Theory articles listed here attempt to define terms, eg: "What is X?"; sort things into categories, and make comparisons between things, eg: "How does X compare to Y?"

For articles that are more hands-on and attempt to answer "How do I do X?", see Craft.

For articles about the history of interactive fiction, see History.

General Theory

• The Rosebush - Online magazine featuring articles on interactive fiction theory and criticism. Articles are from 2023-present.
• Gold Machine - Drew Cook's blog. Features literary readings of Infocom games. Posts are from 2021-present.
• Renga in Blue - Jason Dyer's IF blog. Contains several entries on IF theory topics. Posts are from 2005-present.
• Toward a Theory of Interactive Fiction by Nick Montfort appears in the book IF Theory Reader (PDF version). Published 2011. An older version of this article is available at Nick Montfort's website.
• A Writer's Guide to Interactive Fiction by Andrew Plotkin. July 2010.
• Discussions about IF theory on the rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroup. Linked discussions are from 1990-2007.
• An Annotated Bibliography Of Interactive Fiction Scholarship by Dennis G. Jerz. September 2001.
• Why Write IF? (archive) by Emily Short. 2000.
• Interactive Fiction as Literature by Mary Ann Buckles. An early literary analysis of interactive fiction. Originally published in the May 1987 issue of BYTE magazine.
• The Meta-Puzzle of Interactive Fiction: Why We Like What We Like (archive) by Marnie Parker.

Comparisons

• A Comparison of TADS 3 and Inform 7 by Eric Eve, © 2008-2009. Very useful (but long).
• TADS vs. Inform - a (vaguely) in-depth comparison by Dan Shiovitz.
• Discussions about different authoring systems on the rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroup. Linked articles are from 1999-2007.
• Choosing a Language for Interactive Fiction (2004), by Liza Daly for O'Reilly ONLamp.com.
• Character Gender in Interactive Fiction, Part I (archive) and Part II (archive) by Doug Atkinson for XYZZYnews issues #3 and #6. 1995. Compares how a variety of games handled PC gender.

Design

• On Chris Crawford and Interactive Storytelling by Emily Short.
• Multilinear Interactive Fiction by Emily Short. Afterthoughts on concept and reactions to Galatea.
• Discussions about game design on the rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroup. Linked discussions are from 1993-2007.

Taxonomy

(In other words, lists and categories.)

• The different schools of recent twine-adjacent interactive fiction by Autumn Chen. April 9, 2022.
• Standard Patterns in Choice-Based Games by Sam Kabo Ashwell. January 26, 2015.
• An Alternative Taxonomy for Interactive Stories by Emily Short. May 3, 2011.
• Discussions about game genres on the rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroup. Linked discussions are from 1993-2006.
• Categories of Interactive Fiction by Jason Dyer. February 4, 2005.
• NPC Conversations: Ask/Tell Theory by Jim Fisher. 2004. Discusses four NPC models: Librarian, Rambling Idiot, Lecturing Professor, and Conversationalist.
• The Player Character's Role in Game Design by Duncan Stevens for Brass Lantern. 2001. Discusses certain key techniques in creating a meaningful PC and certain gimmicks that have been used to bring PCs to life.
• Player Character Identity in Interactive Fiction (archive) by John Wood for XYZZYnews #9 (May/June 1996). Associates types of PCs with types of IF and genres.
• List of things that may get a player stuck by Jan Thorsby - Contribute!
• List of things that causes automatic playing by Jan Thorsby - Contribute!

Terminology

(See also: FAQ, Glossary.)

• What is IF? by Jim Fisher (2004).
• What's IF? by Emily Short.
• Eric on Interactive Fiction by Eric.xyzzy.

See also

• IF Theory Reader
• Theory Club