Abandonitis

This is a newly invented term and could be subject to change

Abandonitis refers to a design error which causes the world of an IF game to seem mysteriously abandoned due to lack of NPC implementation. It should be distinguished from games which are intentionally set in abandoned environments (see ghost town), although in practise the distinction may not be hard and fast.

Even if there are NPCs about, the effect of abandonitis can still be felt if they are underimplemented and unresponsive.

Characteristics

• The game is set in areas where one would normally expect to see lots of (or at least some) people, but none are implemented.
• Explanations for the complete absence of NPCs seem contrived, or add nothing to the game
• NPC interactions are plentiful in cutscenes but are trivial or wholly absent in normal gameplay.