This assignment will give you an opportunity to write a piece of interactive fiction. This will involve creating both a virtual world and a story in which the player must overcome conflicts to achieve goals and win the game.

The CIS 587 course page contains several links to interactive fiction resources. You should make use of the Inform interactive fiction compiler and interpreter or you can use the LaMothe C++ code on the text CD (Chapter 15). You can go to the Inform compiler/interpreter download page by clicking here. You will find it help to work through the Inform tutorial (Alice Through the Looking Glass) click here to begin the tutorial. The beginning writer's guide for Inform can be viewed by by clicking here and the Inform Designer's Manual can be viewed by clicking here.

Your game does not have to be based on an original story. However, your game should allow the player's actions determine the outcome of the story. A well designed game will exhibit the characteristics listed below.

• Competence - the game should handle the user interactions expected for a piece of interactive fiction.
• Immersiveness - the degree to which a player loses him or herself in the game world.
• Completeness - the world should have a reasonable number of room and objects.
• World Design - non-linear story with several puzzles to solve.
• Prose Quality - the room descriptions should draw the player into the game.
• Interactivity - the player should have interesting objects and environments to manipulate.
• Fun - the game should entertain the player and motivate him or her to play often.

You will need to turn in the following: well commented code (.inf file), a design document (including a map, list of objects and their interactions, puzzles), a complete walk-through of your game. Your oral presentation will be a 10 to 15 minute demonstration of your game.

Assigned: 5-18-00
Date due: 6-01-00