Past raif topics

This is a collection of interesting discussions from the rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroup, from the start of the list in 1989 up to September 2005. A few threads from rec.games.int-fiction are included as well. See also RAIF Welcome and FAQ pages at plover.net.

Last updated September 22nd, 2005.

Note that some other pages link to the subheadings on this page, so take care when renaming sections.

Development

=> Past raif topics: Development: part 1

• Intro to IF creation
• Authoring systems in general
• Inform, TADS & Hugo authoring systems
• Learning Inform / TADS / etc
• Other authoring systems
• Writing IF in a general programming language
• Creating an IF language
• Potential for IF language for non programmers
• World definition formats / using XML for IF

=> Past raif topics: Development: part 2

• Parsing
• Vocabulary
• Disambiguation
• Other parser related issues
• Role of the parser
• Editors and other tools / GUIs for IF development
• IF libraries
• Virtual machines
• Interpreters / portability / GLK
• Saving and restoring
• Coding / programming
• Code generation
• Computer science
• Testing
• Debugging

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Game Mechanics

=> Past raif topics: Game Mechanics: part 1

• Puzzles
• Hints and walkthroughs
• Red herrings & decoration objects
• Scoring
• Helping new players
• Game physics / world model
• Simulation / world limits
• Modelling actions & objects - general
• Implicit actions
• Visibility / scope of objects
• Containers & inventory limits
• Time
• Mapping
• Compass directions / navigation
• Locations, movement & exits

=> Past raif topics: Game Mechanics: part 2

• Tricky objects
• Tricky events / situations
• Indistinguishable & groupable objects
• Hidden objects & searching
• Combat
• Magic
• Vehicles
• Body parts & clothing
• Actors / PCs and NPCs
• Restricting PC movement
• Required PC activities
• Flashbacks & cut scenes
• Presenting choices
• Special commands
• Meta commands (undo, save, restore, restart, quit)
• Game responses
• Text generation
• Transcripts
• Spelling correction etc.
• User interface

IF Theory

=> Past raif topics: IF Theory: part 1

• General overview / issues in IF
• Definition of IF
• IF as art
• Mimesis / game consistency & completeness
• Game design
• Puzzles & winnability
• Plot and narrative
• Creative writing (vs programming)
• Persistence at writing / inspiration
• Descriptions & settings
• General IF theory
• Moral issues arising in IF

=> Past raif topics: IF Theory: part 2

• The player and the PC
• PC & player knowledge
• Player perspective & multiple PCs
• Genres / themes / types of IF
• Never ending games
• Replayability
• Computer generated story lines
• Interactivity
• Linear IF & multiple endings
• Multi player games
• Real time games
• Graphical games / graphics & sound in IF
• Quality of IF
• Collaboration
• Reviews / feedback
• Judging IF
• IF Competitions
• Copyright issues
• Commercial IF
• International IF / non English languages
• Accessibility / IF and the deaf/blind

NPCs and Artificial Intelligence

=> Past raif topics: NPCs and AI

• Believable / realistic NPCs
• NPC personality / characterization
• Conversations with NPCs
• Conversation interfaces
• NPC motivations & behavior
• NPC knowledge, planning and reasoning
• Artificial Intelligence

Miscellaneous

=> Past raif topics: Miscellaneous

• Courses in IF
• Books
• Humor
• History / Infocom
• Polls / surveys
• Recommended Games
• Children, Education and IF
• Web based IF
• Relatives of IF

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