Post by Tiefling on Feb 7, 2015 12:57:01 GMT
Are any of you fans of interactive fiction? Back in the day, there were text-only games like ZORK, that played as such:
I think the Lone Wolf books could be amazing if they were translated into such an engine, so I've started doing so. Here's an example of some of what I've accomplished so far:
There is a programming language that was created for the purpose of writing games like this. I took the liberty of translating the bulk of the language into a Java API, and then wrote up what I have so far of FftD using this API.
It's kind of slow-going, because I'm pretty anal about quality. For example, it took me forever to code up the Cener Druid temple in a way that was true to the book but also true to an interactive fiction game:
West of House
You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door.
There is a small mailbox here.
> examine mailbox
The small mailbox is closed.
> open mailbox
Opening the small mailbox reveals a leaflet.
> get leaflet
Taken.
I think the Lone Wolf books could be amazing if they were translated into such an engine, so I've started doing so. Here's an example of some of what I've accomplished so far:
Flight from the Dark
Foot of the Hill
At the foot of the hill, the path splits into two directions, east and west,
both leading into a large wood.
Your Sixth Sense has warned you that some of the creatures that attacked the
monastery are searching the two paths for any survivors of their raid, but you
can avoid both tracks by making your way through the undergrowth of the woods.
You can head south, or you can cut through the heavier foliage towards the
northeast.
>inventory
You are dressed in the green tunic and cloak of a Kai initiate.
Hanging from your waist is a leather belt pouch containing 6 Gold Crowns.
You are wearing a backpack containing:
a meal
a map of Sommerlund
You are carrying:
an axe
>south
You hear the scream of a large winged beast above the trees. It is a Kraan, a
deadly servant of the Darklords. Quickly you hide beneath the thick fronds of
fern until the horrible shrieks have passed away.
Forest
The forest here is filled with thick fronds of fern.
>south
You cut through the vegetation with your axe.
As you go on you discover a forest path that bends, south and east, at the
point you join it.
Bend in the Path
You are on a forest path that leads off to the south and east.
Your Kai Discipline of Tracking reveals to you fresh paw prints leading off
along the south path. They are the prints of a black bear, an animal renowned
for its ferocity.
>south
Watchtower Clearing
You are in a clearing where several trees have been cut down to make a rickety
watchtower. Below the tower are three paths leading off to the north, south and
southwest.
Your Kai Discipline of Tracking reveals to you fresh paw prints leading off
along the south path. They are the prints of a black bear, an animal renowned
for its ferocity.
>climb watchtower
The old watchtower ladder is rotten and several rungs break as you climb.
However, you manage to reach the top.
The Watchtower Clearing (on the watchtower)
From the top of the tower you can see above the trees in all directions. Far to
the north, a column of jet-black smoke rises high into the sky. Small orange
tongues of flame flicker at its base. Your heart sinks as you realize that the
port of Toran is ablaze. From the southwest, the wind carries the noise of
battle. It is close; no more than five miles at most.
You can see a large oblong box (which is closed) here.
There is a programming language that was created for the purpose of writing games like this. I took the liberty of translating the bulk of the language into a Java API, and then wrote up what I have so far of FftD using this API.
It's kind of slow-going, because I'm pretty anal about quality. For example, it took me forever to code up the Cener Druid temple in a way that was true to the book but also true to an interactive fiction game:
Large Square Room
You are in an empty square room. A dimly lit corridor leads north from here.
Your senses tell you that you are not alone. You are in very great danger.
Return to the surface as quickly as you can.
There is an oak door in the south wall, which is closed.
You hear the crash of a giant stone slab as it falls from the ceiling. Turning
around, you see that your exit is now blocked.
>open door
It seems to be locked.
The room is getting colder.
>north
You can't go that way.
You gradually notice the smell of sulphur in the air.
>unlock door with key
The silver key fits and the lock opens.
You can hear chanting in the distance. It sounds as if it is somewhere in
another part of this cave.
>open door
You pull back the door to find yourself face to face with a strange old man. In
his right hand is a staff. Suddenly a bolt of lightning shoots from the staff
and hits you square in the chest.
You have 13 endurance.
A slit in the stone wall opens, and the end of a black staff begins to appear.