Theory
From IFWiki
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.
General Theory - Comparisons - Design - History - Taxonomy - Terminology
General Theory
- Why Write IF? by Emily Short.
- Renga in Blue is Jason Dyer's IF blog. Contains several entries on IF theory topics.
Comparisons
- TADS vs. Inform - a (vaguely) in-depth comparison by Dan Shiovitz.
- Character Gender in Interactive Fiction, Part I and Part II by Doug Atkinson for XYZZYnews issues #3 and #6. Compares how a variety of games handled PC gender.
- Choosing a Language for Interactive Fiction (2004), by Liza Daly for O'Reilly ONLamp.com.
Design
- Multilinear Interactive Fiction by Emily Short. Afterthoughts on concept and reactions to Galatea.
- On Chris Crawford and Interactive Storytelling by Emily Short.
History
- About Interactive Fiction (1996, 2001), by Liza Daly. Very short.
Taxonomy
(In other words, lists and categories.)
- Player Character Identity in Interactive Fiction by John Wood for XYZZYnews #9. Asssociates types of PCs with types of IFs and genres.
- Categories of Interactive Fiction by Jason Dyer.
- List of things that may get a player stuck by Jan Thorsby - Contribute!
- List of things that causes automatic playing by Jan Thorsby - Contribute!