100 DAYS PROJECT: #30

June 20th, 2009 by susan


Dark Moves

30darkmovesI knew what this was going to be the minute I finished reading Steve’s story. It just lent itself naturally to the interactive fiction game environment. The problem I had in maintaining that element in a hypertext environment was the brevity of the pieces and the limited amount of time to establish anything more than a fairly simple story.

As you can see in the map, there’s another strange long rectangular note and that’s something I’ve been making use of as a quick place to scribble notes. In this case, I had the plan for the layout, the rooms and the paths, the choices, the endings, and a few coding imperatives once the templates were established. I seem to have gotten into a rhythm with these pieces by first establishing a rough map outline once the concept is in mind. On this piece, it was the first time I wrote the story out in a basic thread that would lead through all the rooms and paths, while keeping in mind the potential links and outcomes.

This one offered many opportunities to play with the hypertext medium for effects and time was the only restriction. One of the thoughts I had but didn’t incorporate was to leave solid color spaces with the same color text as hidden links that would produce a random effect based upon where the reader clicked on the area (hitting a text link without being aware of it). Something to play with when I have more time.

It’s a fun one and there’s one thing I can guarantee: there is a way out. There are five ways out.

2 Responses to “100 DAYS PROJECT: #30”

  1. mary ellen Says:

    That’s it! I’m never coming here at night anymore. Some cure for caffeine you are! The best part? It’s pitch black in the house with the exception of the monitor. Can’t see a thing, and I’m afraid to go back to bed. Smiling, though. Great job!

  2. susan Says:

    Which way did you “get out?”

    This is one piece I’d like to play with and expand upon and make it even more interactive. Maybe even integrate James’ scripting to allow for typing responses much like IF works. And his moving words cloud and some scary sudden sounds and images.

    Sorry if you were scared–but I knew you’d like the genre here. Thanks!