Karl Kuras wrote: > > > Yes, but since those games are just Sierra-style games with verbs and > nouns > > you can pick from a list, it's still a derivative from IF (except this > time > > the parser forces a limited subset of words you can choose from, in a very > > specific two-word combo). The "pick words from a list"-style adventure > system > > was no better than Sierra's. What made Lucasarts games worth playing, > > thankfully, were the clever and engaging storylines and puzzles, which > were > > good enough to force people through the awful interface. > > But by that logic, you could say that a game like Jack the Nipper, or > Garfield: Big Fat Hair Deal were derivatives of IF as well, since you went > through the game, and with the correct selection of moves (to pick up, and > drop items, talk to characters, etc.) you went through a story. The > interface had just changed from words typed in or chosen from a list to > words chosen by specific joystick and fire button combos.
Yes, that's true, but was the interface text-based? Meaning, did it enforce verb-noun commands with text labels? If so, it was IF; if not, it wasn't. > It seems that any > game that tells a story and has the character influence that story in any > way beyond just jumping and running would be an IF. That just completely > ignores the actual play mechanics which are what a "Genre" is supposed to be > defining. See my above answer. If the gameplay interface relies on verb-noun commands (must be both, not verb only or noun only) labeled with text (NOT icons), then it's IF. It doesn't matter if you select verbs/nouns via typing them or picking them from a list -- it's IF. If everything is icon-based, then all bets are off. Here's the MobyGames defintion for IF+G: "Same mechanics as Interactive Fiction, with modifications for graphics made to the input and output interface. Output can include graphics, which can either be turned off (Transylvania, Tau Ceti, etc.) or are mandatory (Sierra "Quest" and Lucasarts "SCUMM" games). Input is still text-based requiring verb-noun input, but the method of selection does not have to rely on the keyboard (meaning, you can pick from a visual list of verbs and nouns, like Lucasarts adventures). To remain in the Interaction Fiction with Graphics subgenre, verb-noun input using text labels must be maintained. If the verbs (actions) and nouns (items) are replaced by icons or pictures, or accepts verb-only or noun-only input, it no longer qualfies as Interactive Fiction." And, if you were curious, our definition for straight IF is: "Gameplay is language-based in nature. All interaction with the player, both input and feedback, is done through the input and output of pure text. Input mimics natural language using verb-noun (action-item) commands (Abbreviations also qualify, because they abbreviate a verb-noun construct, like "w" for "go west" or "i" for "list inventory"). Output is rendered in full, natural-language, grammatically-correct sentences. Sometimes referred to as "text-adventure" or "Infocom" games (after the company that made them famous)." -- http://www.MobyGames.com/ The world's most comprehensive gaming database project. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent to you because you are currently subscribed to the swcollect mailing list. To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of 'unsubscribe swcollect' Archives are available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
