This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:20:13
The video explores the evolution and current state of interactive fiction, a hybrid of programming and creative writing. Kristin Chiller begins by tracing its roots from the late 70s with Edward Packard's "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, moving through Steve Jackson and Ian Livingston’s "Fighting Fantasy" series of the 80s and 90s, and Joe Dever’s "Lone Wolf" series, which introduced continuity and character progression across multiple books.
Advancements in the genre are exemplified by early text-based computer games like "Adventure," "Zork," and "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," which used interpreters for player commands. Evolving from these were more user-friendly formats such as "Monkey Island" and "Day of the Tentacle." Interactive fiction saw diversification into visual formats with titles like "Night Trap" and innovative mixtures of old and new storytelling techniques in games by Telltale Games and Inkle Studios, such as "80 Days."
Modern iterations include Depression Quest, created using Twine, and AI Dungeon, utilizing GPT-3 for broader, open-ended experiences. Tools like Inky and Unity facilitate complex game designs, showcased in games like Disco Elysium. Inform and Twine are highlighted for their ease of use and adaptability for both game development and educational purposes. Platforms like IFDB.org and itch.io are recommended for sharing and monetizing interactive fiction works. Overall, the video positions interactive fiction as a continually evolving field, blending traditional storytelling with cutting-edge technology.
00:00:00
In this segment, Kristin Chiller explores the fusion of programming and creative writing to create interactive fiction. She traces the history of interactive fiction back to the late 70s with the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books by Edward Packard, which pioneered the genre with simple decision-making and were re-released multiple times. Moving to the early 80s-mid 90s, she discusses the “Fighting Fantasy” books by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingston, which introduced more advanced elements like combat and magic, targeting slightly older readers. Chiller also highlights the “Lone Wolf” series by Joe Dever, notable for its continuity and character progression across multiple books, catering to various age groups and offering more complex narratives.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the evolution of text-based computer games and their impact on modern technology. They reference early games like “Adventure,” which played a significant role in the development of networked machines, and other classics such as “Zork” and “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” These games used interpreters to understand player commands, often leading to frustration due to their difficulty. The speaker highlights the programming languages used in these games, such as ZIL and Inform, and mentions how they evolved into more user-friendly formats like “Monkey Island” and “Day of the Tentacle,” which incorporated basic graphics and clickable options. They also note unique formats of interactive media, such as a VHS-based game called “Atmosfear.”
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the discussion revolves around the evolution and current state of interactive fiction. It touches on the decline of video CDs and their interactive movies, like the Sega CD game Night Trap. The narrator argues that interactive fiction is more popular than ever, highlighting Telltale Games as a notable example with titles like Monkey Island and various licensed tie-ins. Inkle Studios’ game 80 Days is another prominent example, known for its immersive graphics and resource-tracking mechanics. The segment also mentions the open-sourcing of Inkle Studios’ development tools. Depression Quest, developed using Twine, is cited as a text-heavy interactive fiction game that deals with personal narratives. Finally, AI Dungeon is mentioned as a modern text-based interactive story.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the use of GPT-3 in games to create an open-ended and broader experience by combining older concepts with modern techniques. They mention Netflix’s “Bandersnatch” as an example of interactive fiction brought to mainstream attention, and how its creator reportedly used Twine to plot the story. Similarly, “Codename Cygnus” and other audio interactive fiction use voice interactions, creating an immersive experience akin to a controllable radio play.
The segment then transitions to exploring tools for creating similar interactive works and games. The speaker notes that these tools can vary widely, from being open-source to proprietary, and available tools may change over time. A particular tool that runs in the browser on Edge is demonstrated, showing how users can add and configure blocks such as scenes, choices, maps, images, music files, and more. The process involves layering and expanding on scenes and blocks, though it can be initially unclear where to start.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses various tools used for game development and storytelling. They highlight a tool known for its use in larger game designs, specifically mentioning its application in the well-known game Disco Elysium. This tool helps to organize narrative elements, though it has a complex interface and is Windows-only. Another tool named Inky, used in the creation of the game 80 Days, is also reviewed. It employs a markup language suitable for importing stories into Unity, but has limited functionality for gameplay. The speaker contrasts this with another tool, emphasizing its traditional interactive fiction approach, where users type responses instead of clicking.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses two tools for creating interactive fiction: Inform and Twine. Inform is highlighted as being more focused on interaction with language models rather than programming, which can yield natural experiences but might be challenging to navigate. The speaker considers exploring Inform further in future content. Twine, on the other hand, is praised for its simplicity and powerful underlying programming capabilities using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The speaker mentions using Twine to create a live-edited presentation for a conference. Finally, the segment touches on publishing interactive fiction works, mentioning platforms like IFDB.org and itch.io, which support sharing and monetizing these creations.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses modern gaming platforms and the use of tools like Inky and Twine for creating interactive fiction. They explain that these tools allow creators to explore concepts without needing to develop them fully into a short story or novel. Interactive fiction provides a way for readers to experience stories differently, within set boundaries established by the creator. Additionally, these tools are useful for learning programming basics, offering a stepping stone to more advanced programming skills. The speaker highlights the fun aspect of creating interactive fiction and mentions plans for future videos that will delve deeper into current tools and other related subjects. They encourage viewers to subscribe, leave comments, and share their own interactive fiction works.