Interactive Fictions

We're a directory meant to help to build a stronger community within the interactive fiction genre. On this blog you can expect to see several WIPs and projects ranging from different genres, mediums and coding languages, so everyone can find something that fits their taste. We also offer a multitude of writing and coding resources as well for anyone struggling on where to begin. | Mods | FAQ | Guidelines | Rec List | Tags | Events | Discord | Reddit | Kofi | Want to be featured in our events? Functioning as normal: - Reblogs of IF update or intro posts - Regular themed events and interviews

[interact-if]

Welcome to our directory! Sit back, relax and enjoy choosing your own adventure!

last updated: 16 April, 2026

askbox status: closed until further notice

Meet the Mods

Allie: I’m the author of two WIP interactive fiction games, @collegetennisoriginstory and @merrycrisis-if. Interact-if was one of the first blogs/places that I discovered almost three years ago now, and it led me to so many amazing stories, authors, and resources.

Valen: I'm Valen, Literature student, academic researcher, and writer for the WIP Acclamatĭo.

Lucien: 21 year old student, about to graduate, soon to be unemployed (haha/s), I love writing and am working towards publishing a book next year! I am responsible for the askbox and sharing game updates. You can find me @bearuru.

Bebe: hi, folks! i'm bebe eulalia, author of wip Igniferus, i'm also studying two majors back to back; Economics and Philosophy. i'm 20 and i love cats!! You can find me @bebeabebe

What We Do

We are a directory aimed at creating a space to share wonderful stories written by people from across the world. On our blog, you will find hundreds upon thousands of IFs waiting for you to click on them, and immerse yourselves in different worlds, different adventures...

So? What are you waiting for?

A More Detailed Look

🟢 Active:

Game Updates & Intros: If you’re an author with a new game or demo update, or if you’re organizing a game jam or event you’d like to share with the community, simply tag @interact-if in your posts, and we’ll reblog them. It would also be helpful if you added tags/information stating the IF's genre (e.g. horror, romance), has a demo/no demo.

Themed Author Features: We’ll continue the tradition of spotlighting authors and games based on monthly themes (e.g. Pride Month, Disability Month). These interviews are such a great way of celebrating diversity and inclusivity in the IF community, and we’d love to keep these going!

Community Spotlight: Once every quarter, we’ll also do a call for reader recs around certain categories/themes (e.g. Fave RO, Fave Worldbuilding/setting, Fave plot-twist etc.) and compile these recommendations to share. Think of it as a bulletin of crowdsourced faves and a way of sharing a little note about an IF you love!

Asks: Mod Lucien will be responsible for the ask box. She will be curating rec lists, helping hunt down specific IFs, and maintaining communication with the audience! Please understand that since she's only one person, human error may occur.

Keeping track of events/game updates: Similar to the first point, any progress update to an ongoing IF or in case of announcing an event, please tag @interact-if so that we can reblog it and share it with a wider audience.

🟡 Remain open/active, but not modded:

Game directory: The Interact-IF repository of games (excel) will remain open for authors to update/list their games and/or readers to discover their next read. (Feel free to continue to update/populate the repository, though do note it will remain completely crowd-sourced/author-updated).

Discord: The discord will remain open and active for discussions, resource sharing, and casual chats, though again, this will not be officially modded (though some mods may be active occasionally)

Important Links

Before you send any questions or requests via the askbox, please go through our FAQs and ask guidelines.

Link to our discord server

Plans for the Future

We are working to bring out comprehensive and updated masterlists for completed IFs & WIP IFs. This will be a long process, and will be constantly ongoing. For now, the plan is to cover every IF that is mentioned on this blog and then we will expand from there. Once the masterlists are substantially updated, we will edit this post with links to access them.

[interact-if]

We are so excited for this interview with the author of Whiskey Four, @johnlouisif!

Do you want to play a retired contract killer? Who's being hunted down by the corpos, the cops and even your (supposedly dead) ex! Oh right...you also need to save the galaxy from an unknown entity...

Have what it takes?

Check out the other winners in the action/adventure category here.

About the author

I don’t drink coffee. Or alcohol. My inspiration for my work comes purely from the pains of cold sobriety. I broke my wrist when I was eleven years old and my handwriting hasn’t recovered since, and I very often can’t read my own notes when I’m annotating books.

About the book

John Wick in space meets Lovecraftian cosmic horror.

Tell us a bit about what you're working on right now and your journey into interactive fiction

I’m working on the sequel to my first interactive fiction game, I, the Forgotten One. It’s a pretty beastly project, as the multiple endings diverge into three primary routes, so every chapter needs to be written about two and a half times. I started ITFO six years ago during COVID, and it was just a hobby for a while, but I’ve been attempting to take it more seriously with the opening of a Patreon, hoping that I can potentially do writing full time in the future.

What was the inspiration for this game and why did you want to write an action story?

I wanted to write in a futuristic/sci-fi setting after finishing ITFO, but more than that, I wanted to write a story with completely different pacing. ITFO and its sequel, I, the Unbroken One, take place over months. I need, for the sake of the plot, a great deal of time to pass. The characters are marching or riding vast distances; medieval war involves a lot of waiting and boredom. This doesn’t make for a good story, so time needs to be skipped. The great danger of this style of story is that it can sometimes feel like a series of vignettes; if I keep skipping time and just jumping between major scenes, there won’t be any connective tissue.

Whiskey-Four is all connective tissue. The game takes place over four days, and each scene leads immediately into the next. The movement of time is kept in check by the use of a clock which tells the reader what time it is after every minor time skip. This style of pacing is best suited to action/adventure stories, I believe.

What is one thing you're really proud of that you've written? Do you have any favourite character or scene you've written?

I think writing Ulysses/Ulyssa, the primary love interest from Whiskey-Four, was the best creative decision I have made in writing. I believe they are singlehandedly responsible for a full half of Whiskey-Four’s popularity. In the grand scheme of love interests, they don’t even have a lot of time with the protagonist, and yet they’re still so well-liked, which I think is a testament to how compelling they turned out.

How has your identity, heritage/background, or personal experiences influenced your storytelling or writing process?

I’ve dealt with mental health troubles in the past which really colored the prose and, for lack of a better term, the vibe of I, the Forgotten One. It’s a vibe I can’t really recapture, now that I’m in a better place. 

For folks who have enjoyed your IF, what other book/music/movie should they check out for the same 'vibe'?

I discovered the song “Infinite Skin” by Blaqk Audio when writing Whiskey-Four, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song better encapsulate something I wrote. The entire album, “Only Things We Love,” fits the cyberpunk aesthetic of Whiskey-Four so well.

What are you excited to tackle/implement/work on next?

I, the Unbroken One, the sequel to ITFO! It’s up to 200,000+ words now, and it’s… maybe a quarter done. It’s been a huge project, much larger than I typically like, but I’ve so far enjoyed the process. I think the third chapter which I just released publicly is the best of the story so far. I started ITFO six years ago, and I’ve become a better writer since then, so the sequel is an opportunity to take existing characters and make them even stronger.

[interact-if]

We are so excited for this interview with the author of Whiskey Four, @johnlouisif!

Do you want to play a retired contract killer? Who's being hunted down by the corpos, the cops and even your (supposedly dead) ex! Oh right...you also need to save the galaxy from an unknown entity...

Have what it takes?

Check out the other winners in the action/adventure category here.

About the author

I don’t drink coffee. Or alcohol. My inspiration for my work comes purely from the pains of cold sobriety. I broke my wrist when I was eleven years old and my handwriting hasn’t recovered since, and I very often can’t read my own notes when I’m annotating books.

About the book

John Wick in space meets Lovecraftian cosmic horror.

Tell us a bit about what you're working on right now and your journey into interactive fiction

I’m working on the sequel to my first interactive fiction game, I, the Forgotten One. It’s a pretty beastly project, as the multiple endings diverge into three primary routes, so every chapter needs to be written about two and a half times. I started ITFO six years ago during COVID, and it was just a hobby for a while, but I’ve been attempting to take it more seriously with the opening of a Patreon, hoping that I can potentially do writing full time in the future.

What was the inspiration for this game and why did you want to write an action story?

I wanted to write in a futuristic/sci-fi setting after finishing ITFO, but more than that, I wanted to write a story with completely different pacing. ITFO and its sequel, I, the Unbroken One, take place over months. I need, for the sake of the plot, a great deal of time to pass. The characters are marching or riding vast distances; medieval war involves a lot of waiting and boredom. This doesn’t make for a good story, so time needs to be skipped. The great danger of this style of story is that it can sometimes feel like a series of vignettes; if I keep skipping time and just jumping between major scenes, there won’t be any connective tissue.

Whiskey-Four is all connective tissue. The game takes place over four days, and each scene leads immediately into the next. The movement of time is kept in check by the use of a clock which tells the reader what time it is after every minor time skip. This style of pacing is best suited to action/adventure stories, I believe.

What is one thing you're really proud of that you've written? Do you have any favourite character or scene you've written?

I think writing Ulysses/Ulyssa, the primary love interest from Whiskey-Four, was the best creative decision I have made in writing. I believe they are singlehandedly responsible for a full half of Whiskey-Four’s popularity. In the grand scheme of love interests, they don’t even have a lot of time with the protagonist, and yet they’re still so well-liked, which I think is a testament to how compelling they turned out.

How has your identity, heritage/background, or personal experiences influenced your storytelling or writing process?

I’ve dealt with mental health troubles in the past which really colored the prose and, for lack of a better term, the vibe of I, the Forgotten One. It’s a vibe I can’t really recapture, now that I’m in a better place. 

For folks who have enjoyed your IF, what other book/music/movie should they check out for the same 'vibe'?

I discovered the song “Infinite Skin” by Blaqk Audio when writing Whiskey-Four, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song better encapsulate something I wrote. The entire album, “Only Things We Love,” fits the cyberpunk aesthetic of Whiskey-Four so well.

What are you excited to tackle/implement/work on next?

I, the Unbroken One, the sequel to ITFO! It’s up to 200,000+ words now, and it’s… maybe a quarter done. It’s been a huge project, much larger than I typically like, but I’ve so far enjoyed the process. I think the third chapter which I just released publicly is the best of the story so far. I started ITFO six years ago, and I’ve become a better writer since then, so the sequel is an opportunity to take existing characters and make them even stronger.

[severance-if]

Book One of a Dark Fantasy Interactive Trilogy

DEMO - TBA

Klealetria is an elven continent divided by the bloodlines the Sun has blessed and those it has not.

The Marked are those the Sun has chosen. Born with magical affinities, they occupy positions of power, privilege, and influence throughout the continent.

The Hollow are those the Sun has rejected. Devoid of magic, they have learned to survive without the blessing that was never theirs.

You are neither.

You are something you do not yet have a name for. Something wrong.

Decades after your mother’s disappearance, your search for answers leads you to the Halidom, where buried secrets, forbidden truths, and your own impossible nature threaten to unravel the world around you.

Severance is about discovering who you are, holding the weight of the darkness that lives inside you, what it costs to be known, and the nine people who will love you regardless.

✧ Customize your protagonist’s name, gender, pronouns, appearance, and personality

✧ Build friendships and explore romance with one of the nine unique love interests

✧ Choose how you want to spend your time at the academy

✧ Unravel the mystery surrounding your mother's disappearance

✧ Hide a secret that could see you destroyed if discovered

August Averis | The Bard

He/Him - Hollow

Charming and enigmatic, August is the most famous bard in Klealetria. He often performs in glamour and has a passion for alchemy.

He is older than he looks.

Physical Appearance: willowy and tan, with vibrant green eyes and wavy brown hair.

⏾⋆.˚

Marianne Pearson | The Assistant

She/Her - Marked

Warm and optimistic, Marianne works as an assistant in the Halidom's Athenaeum. She finds joy in the little things and never misses an opportunity to make friends.

She wears her heart on her sleeve.

Physical Appearance: petite, with pastel pink hair and soft brown eyes.

⏾⋆.˚

Evander Renadrine | The Archivist

He/Him - Marked

Brilliant and reclusive, Evander is the archivist of the Halidom’s Athenaeum. He spends most of his days surrounded by books and rarely sleeps.

He knows more than he lets on.

Physical Appearance: towering and pale, with violet eyes and messy dark blonde hair.

⏾⋆.˚

Elias Forester | The Healer

He/Him - Marked

Gentle and attentive, Elias is a healer from the rural village of Brusca. He has spent most of his life caring for others.

He notices everything.

Physical Description: dimples, golden eyes, warm skin, and short red hair.

⏾⋆.˚

Valerie Vesper | The Mercenary

She/Her - Hollow

Quiet and observant, Valerie is a combat-focused student with a past she rarely discusses. She is usually training.

Very little escapes her attention.

Physical Description: pale and sharp featured, with short black hair and hazel eyes.

⏾⋆.˚

Faustina Lachlan | The Noble

She/Her - Marked

Composed and calculated, Faustina is a senior student from one of Klealetria's oldest noble families. She navigates high society with effortless grace.

She rarely allows herself to want.

Physical Description: cool dark skin, grey eyes, and long white-blonde hair.

⏾⋆.˚

Rowan Drake | The Knight

He/Him - Hollow

Stoic and dependable, Rowan serves as the personal bodyguard to the heir of Klealetria. Duty has shaped nearly every aspect of his life.

He feels more than he says.

Physical Description: tall and fair, with dark brown hair and brown eyes and a few facial piercings.

⏾⋆.˚

Astoria Beaumont | The Heir

She/Her - Marked

Bold and ambitious, Astoria is the future queen of Klealetria. She has never been particularly good at doing what she’s told.

Responsibility has never diminished her spirit.

Physical Appearance: long golden curls, light green eyes, and sun kissed skin.

⏾⋆.˚

Malachi Draegan | The Captain

He/Him - Hollow

Confident and adventurous, Malachi captains the Amaranth and answers to no one but his crew. He is as comfortable navigating trouble as he is the open sea.

He has never been good at standing still.

Physical Appearance: scarred, with brown skin, amber eyes and shoulder length black hair.

Severance is rated 17+ for violence, death and grief, cosmic horror, strong language, and option sexual content.

➝ The Affinties

@interact-if

[velena-if]

"Oh, you would've hated what I've become so much, dear mother."

play here

— [finally] customize your character;

— witness one death;

— become a reason for another [or don't];

— get cursed by your savior.

Chapter 1 wordcount: 34.2k

Total wordcount: 38.2k

@interact-if

[danimalsoz]

Some of My Favorite Interactive Fiction Games / IF Recommendations

If you like interactive fiction, visual novels, choice-based stories, romance, angst, fantasy, sci-fi, drama, or character-focused games, then I really recommend checking out these creators and their projects.

There are so many amazing IF games out there, and I love seeing how much passion, creativity, and personality these writers put into their worlds. Some of these games have incredible romance. Some have mystery, horror, politics, action, or emotional character drama. Some are still works in progress, but even then, they are already worth following because the concepts, writing, and characters are so good.

Here are some fantastic creators/games I think people should check out:

@infinitestarsdev @jjdove @childrenofcain-if @bloodlines-if @altaiirif @stygiansun-totaleclipse @wraithbound-if @fableforger @ri-writes-if @infamous-if @oneknightstand-if @doriana-gray-games @sanguinesky-if @naturalecho @harlequinoccult @ashenwingraven @godsandvillainsif @god-syndicate-if @peonyb @kingdoms-and-empires @devilscreekballad @jinlai @pavedinashes-if

Also follow @interact-if if you want to find even more interactive fiction games, demos, updates, and creators.

Interactive fiction is honestly such a fun space because you get stories where your choices, personality, relationships, and identity can actually matter. Whether you like romance, angst, supernatural drama, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or just deeply written characters, there is probably an IF out there for you.

So yeah — go support these creators, play their games, follow their updates, and show them some love.

[infinitestarsdev]

Patreon | Itch.io | Steam | Discord | Character Descriptions

In the distant but still recognizable future humanity has overcome our differences. We are finally a united people. No longer divided by our nationalities, our religions, or our race, we call ourselves human. But we weren’t alone. The Discovery War was unprovoked and bloody.  It took years of strategic diplomacy before humanity was allowed to join the Interstellar Concordat, and though there is an uneasy peace, not all our new allies seem to have our best interests at heart…

The game features an intriguing narrative filled with mystery, action, and romance told from two perspectives. From one perspective, the player is an observer that guides the other characters and their choices. From the second perspective, the player takes control of their own character; a powerful Mah'Abeu shrouded in secrecy.

Who will you be? A  confident flirt with an optimistic outlook on life? A timid loner with a flair for diplomacy? A bisexual envoy who never lies and likes to be in control? Or a shy yet loyal individual who always has a snarky comment at the ready?

Keep reading

[danimalsoz]

Infinite Stars Is One of the Best Sci-Fi Interactive Fics I’ve Played

I have play-tested, provided feedback, edited code, and played many, many games. And I’ve got news for you about a game you might be missing out on: Infinite Stars!!

If you like interactive fiction, you should play Infinite Stars.

If you like romance, play Infinite Stars. If you like angst, play Infinite Stars. If you like adult content, play Infinite Stars. If you like games like Slay the Princess, Dispatch, Telltale games, Hosted Games, or choice-based story games in general, then genuinely I think you should give Infinite Stars a try.

Infinite Stars is a sci-fi interactive fiction/visual novel set in a future where humanity has finally united, only to discover we are not alone in the universe. After the bloody Discovery War, humanity joins the Interstellar Concordat, but the peace is uneasy, and not every alien ally seems to have our best interests at heart.

In the game, you experience the story from two perspectives. Sometimes you act as an observer, guiding characters and influencing their choices. Other times, you control your own character: a powerful Mah’Abeu shrouded in mystery. You can customize who your character is, shape their personality, and decide how they interact with the cast.

One of the biggest strengths of Infinite Stars is its beginning arc. It honestly has one of the strongest opening arcs I have seen in an interactive fiction game. Even as a demo, it left me very satisfied, and continuing to play afterward was still a fun experience. Being able to customize my character, build relationships, interact with the cast, and slowly uncover the story made the game really engaging.

The game has mystery, action, romance, angst, character drama, and a lot of space-opera tension. The artwork is improving, and even more features seem to be in the works, including potential gifting mechanics, outfits, and dating-sim elements.

For me, this game hits because I love stories where identity, choice, romance, loyalty, mystery, and emotional intensity all matter. I like being able to shape my character, connect with a cast, and feel like my choices actually reflect who I am. Infinite Stars gives me that mix of drama, customization, sci-fi worldbuilding, and relationship-focused storytelling that makes interactive fiction so addictive. I also love seeing how the game is progressing seeing how much more exciting content there is, especially with the planets we will visit.

So yeah. Play Infinite Stars. Their Patreon https://www.patreon.com/infinitestars Their Discord: https://discord.gg/QtAxhP6 Their Twitter: https://twitter.com/InfiniteStarsVN| Their Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/infinitestars Their Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/77f19bde5fa7/infinitestars Other Fantastic people with incredible games: @infinitestarsdev @jjdove @childrenofcain-if @bloodlines-if @altaiirif @stygiansun-totaleclipse @wraithbound-if @fableforger @ri-writes-if @infamous-if @oneknightstand-if @doriana-gray-games @sanguinesky-if @naturalecho Follow them as well for more info on many great games: @interact-if

[houkago-if]

Houkago .ᐟ YEAR 1

🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊

“ Houkago .ᐟ Year 1 ” is an interaction fiction that is primarily slice of life and magical themed. play as a new homeroom teacher that's determined to change the lives of the students at Higashima Highschool. inspired by mary poppins and gokusen.

FEATURES -

a story driven fiction; with stats that only reflect how the mc ( you ! ) might respond and how your students will react to you. ( i. e. a character with a warm opinion will be nicer than a character that's weirded out by you. )

the mc is a mary poppins style character, therefore, you'll have the chance to choose your origins ! ( are you a bamboo sprout who was once helped by a farmer to grow ? are you an animal spirit reincarnated to pass on the kindness your folks once gave you ? choose out of five distinct parts ! )

fully customize your mc from looks to a limited personality choice ( coding is evil ) .

form meaningful bonds with your students and even romance your fellow teachers !

each of the main cast is in a different club, therefore they'll be chapters that focuses on what they do after class and their events !

PLEASE NOTE - that while this is a magical, slice of life, highschool themed story, there will be darker themes such as parental abuse, bullying, thoughts of suicide and so much more. this story was written to show how teachers and adults can impact the daily lives of those around them; and about the impressionable minds of the younger generation; even if they claim to not care.

tangerine, your author, is hard at work, and is writing and coding away to give the readers a good and fun prologue. tangerine is new at coding, but not at writing, and they ask that you give them a chance ! @interact-if

demo - aiming for a fall release

[interact-if]

Bonus Category Winner 🏆 The Lonely Shore

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing @thelonelyshore-if, creator of the top-voted IF in the bonus category, The Lonely Shore. See the full list of winners in this category here.

We thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the inspiration and creative process behind the game, and hope you'll enjoy reading it. Just like the IF itself, there's a line in the interview from Theo that truly stuck with me:

There is beauty to be found in surviving–and, more than that, in living. Even when it feels impossible.

It makes perfect sense that Creatures Such as We is one of Theo's favorite games, as The Lonely Shore possesses that same rare quality of lingering in your mind.

About the author

Howdy! I’m Theo. I’m a horror nerd and vampire fan by night; library employee by day. I live with my fiance and my cat. I draw as well as write–I was an artist before I was a writer–and I’ve been known to play a video game or two, when I have the time. Oh! And I play a truly incredible amount of dnd.

About the game

The Lonely Shore is a horror game about getting trapped in a small midwestern town that does not exist.

Tell me a bit about your journey into interactive fiction and what you’re working on right now

Way back in the early days of tumblr I saw a viral post about Choice of the Dragon. I played it and was delighted by the format; I think I played PsyHigh and Creatures Such As We (still an all-time favorite!!) all in a rush, but was broke and in high school so the obsession ended there. During quarantine in 2020 I discovered Fallen Hero (also via tumblr) and fell in love. It’s been over for me ever since.

My active project is The Lonely Shore, which was born from my love for horror and my experiences growing up in a small town. I also have a secondary IF project, Neverland, about vampires that I’ve recently been dipping my toes into.

What was the inspiration for this game, and why did you want to write a story in this genre?

I grew up in a small town in Minnesota, much like the fictional town of Easthaven in my IF. Growing up queer, trans, and neurodivergent led to me always feeling like an outsider; like I didn’t quite understand the world around me. Bundle that up with the inherent smothering feeling of being trapped that comes from small towns…well, the whole experience lends itself well to horror.

The Lonely Shore’s MC is also an outsider who can’t escape. A lot of the emotions I remember feeling are built into the story, even if Easthaven has way more monsters than I encountered.

Are there any themes or messages you hope players take away from your work?

The Lonely Shore includes what I would describe as mundane horror. Terrible things happen, people go missing, monsters are real–but for the people of Easthaven, that’s everyday life. Those aware of the horrors still wake up in the morning in spite of it. They have friends and families; they find strength in their community; and they always manage to find joy in spite of it all.

There is beauty to be found in surviving–and, more than that, in living. Even when it feels impossible.

What’s the one thing you’re really proud of that you’ve written so far? Do you have a favorite character or scene that you’ve written? 

I think my favorite scene I’ve written is the chapter 3 Doe scene–it has some fun branching differences, and a lot of writing I love.

I’m probably most proud of the chapter 4 bonfire scene due to the sheer branching involved. It was an absolute beast to write, but now that I’m on the other end I’m really happy with it.

And my favorite characters are probably the teens! I’m very excited now that they’re properly introduced–let the Scooby Doo shenanigans begin ;)

For folks who enjoyed your IF, what other book/music/movie should they check out with the same ‘vibe'?

Lord Huron is like…THE soundtrack to The Lonely Shore for me. Sooo much of their music fits perfectly.

Watch Midnight Mass if you want more of something terrible happening in an isolated small town; watch Haunting of Hill House if you want an excellent story about grief and siblings.

Play Scarlet Hollow for some genuinely awesome small town horror. And also because it is absolutely excellent.

What’re you excited to tackle/implement/work on next?

I’ll be working on Neverland off and on alongside Lonely Shore, and right now I’m very excited to be digging into it. It’s a pretty big vibe shift–messy toxic vampires rather than slow, creeping horror–but the writing I’ve done so far is a lot of fun! 

It’s already been pretty refreshing to be able to switch between two very different projects; so I’m excited to continue!

[interact-if]

Best Bonus Category IFs

From mysteries to cosmic horror to supernatural thrillers to apocalyptic stories, we're excited to showcase the most gripping and atmospheric interactive fiction games that didn't quite fit into one of the five main categories.

We interviewed @thelonelyshore-if, creator of The Lonely Shore (overall winner of the bonus category). Read our author spotlight here.

Completed

The Passenger (cosmic horror) by @the-passenger-if

Ongoing

The Lonely Shore (overall winner) by @thelonelyshore-if

Sanguine Sky by @sanguinesky-if*

One Knight Stand by @oneknightstand-if

You can play all of the submissions in this category here (many of them are horror, post-apocalyptic and supernatural/thriller).

*Though this game can technically be considered fantasy/dark fantasy, but in all fairness it was listed in the 'bonus' category at the time of voting, hence given a shout-out here

[interact-if]

Modern/Slice-of-Life Winner 🏆 When Life Gives You Lemons

It was an incredible pleasure to interview @when-life-gives-you-lemons-if, author of the top-voted complete game in the modern/slice-of-life category for When Life Gives You Lemons—and an absolute gem and inspiration.

It's hard to find an IF that makes ordinary life feel as compelling as saving the world as the chosen one, but WLGYL does exactly that. It lets you live your best (or most chaotic) life as a single parent navigating the ups and downs of everyday life—and perhaps finding love again. Best of all, it has been submitted to Hosted Games and will hit shelves (well, digital shelves) once the publishing process is done!

See the full list of winners in this category here.

About the author

I’ve been writing IF since 2020. English is not my first language. I speak French, and a bit of Spanish. I have a sweet tooth.

About the game

Hot singles in your area, but also, you’re trying to care for your child/sibling.

Tell me more about your journey into interactive fiction or what you're working on now

Working on A Taste of Heat. It’s a chef-inspired story where the MC starts working at a Michelin-starred restaurant after a rather tumultuous breakup. Work-life balance is really at the core of this story: managing a staff while dealing with your own personal baggage, all while trying not to fall in love. I’ve been writing IFs since 2020, and so far I’ve really enjoyed the ride. I just want to keep writing fun, fluffy stories that readers can resonate with.

What was the inspiration for this game, and why did you want to write a story in this genre?

The inspiration for When Life Gives You Lemons mostly came from my need to write something fluffy, sweet, and very low-stakes. My previous project at the time was a horror/fantasy story, so I really needed something different. Something that would just make me giggle, kick my feet, and make all the ROs fall in love with the MC.

How has your identity, heritage/background, or personal experience influenced your storytelling?

My first game, The Midnight Saga, was heavily inspired by my background and where I'm from. The story itself is based on an old Haitian folklore about not staying outside after midnight—if you do, the Keeper of Midnight will eat you. I took that idea and built the characters around it.

I even managed to include some spells written in Haitian Creole. It was a lot of fun to write, and even though Book 2 is currently on hiatus, this story has a special place in my heart because it was my first game. The characters are a representation of my people and the struggles they’ve gone through. I’m really happy that it was my debut story.

What does your writing process look like (e.g. for worldbuilding, character, plot)? Any tips, tricks, routines or approaches that have worked very well for you?

My writing process is a mess. My brain gets pulled in so many directions. When I get an idea, I have to code it, shape it, and give it life—otherwise, it’s going to bug me forever. That’s why I end up with so many WIPs. I need to see them through, at least to a short demo, to see if they make sense.

My desk is also full of notes, and I basically write on anything—pieces of napkins, tissue boxes, whatever is nearby. One weird habit I have is that some of the best changes I’ve made to my games, those "spark" moments, happen when I’m in the shower. It’s weird and strange, but it works.

For folks who enjoyed your IF, what other book/music/movie should they check out with the same ‘vibe’, (whatever that means to you)?

That list of modern/slice-of-life IFs you guys put together is honestly such a nice place for readers to start. It has a little bit of everything, and they’ll definitely be busy for a while reading through all those amazing stories.

What're you excited to implement or work on next?

 Laws of Passion is a legal drama-inspired story. I’ve been obsessed with some really interesting legal cases making headlines lately, so I can’t wait to dive in and give readers my own little version of what the legal world could be like. And of course, there’ll also be plenty of romance and drama.

Fun with the modern/slice-of-life genre

Personal fave profession: Being an assistant.

Personal fave modern setting: Small town, where everyone knows each other’s business.

If you were transported into the setting above, as the profession you selected, what would be the main current plot ‘struggle’ be: MC is on the run, trying to blend in and hide her real identity from the townsfolks.

[thistimeitsdifferent-if]

Surprise!

Sorry that I went AWOL, been doing a LOT of rewriting and started some different drafts for future chapters, I took some inspiration from some asks, (that'll be up soon, just wanted to get this out here first hehe), so there's your release date for the demo/prologue! I've had some writers block but honestly having some time away from the screen has helped, and now I'm just going to be doing some more tweaks/polishing. I promise to show more of my progress as this goes on!

However, I apologize for not keeping anyone updated on what was going on, once this demo/prologue comes out I will finally be able to get some rest and get some new juice to the brain.

As I bid adieu, enjoy this song that has inspired the very ending of the demo, see you all very soon!

@interact-if

@if-news-again

[interact-if]

Modern/Slice-of-Life Winner 🏆 Infamous

It was an incredible pleasure to interview @infamous-if, author of the overall winner in the modern/slice-of-life category for Infamous. The IF is packed with emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and a remarkable talent for transforming a familiar modern setting into something utterly engrossing. Whenever I pick up the IF, I end up staying up way past my bedtime.

Amy is an absolute force in the IF community—someone whose writing ability, dedication, and sheer consistency are genuinely awe-inspiring, and who is also one of the sweetest people around.

See the full list of winners in this category here.

About the author

Heyy! For new readers who may not know me, my name is Amy and Infamous is my one and only IF. It may be my first IF but what readers may not know is that it’s not my first foray into publishing fiction. I’ve indie published a few novels before getting into interactive fiction! 

About the game

A story about finding your way through the best and worst parts of Hollywood live on television.

Tell me more about your journey into interactive fiction or what you're working on now

I’m working on a few things. Infamous always takes priority, so I’ve really been focusing on at least hitting the halfway mark and with chapter five out I can practically see it now. I have been dabbling in a future Infamous spinoff and two new stories in entirely new settings. I’m mildly superstitious, so I’m pretty private about everything that isn’t Infamous related, but it’s all really exciting to do something different.

Discovering interactive fiction started with visual novels when I was ten. I used to play those admittedly cringy dating games from the app store all the time! I just loved reading and I was looking for any medium to scratch that itch. Creatures Such as We was the first Choicescript project I ever read. That’s when it clicked in my mind that interactive fiction was an actual thing. I went through what was available in their catalogue in a month. Since then it’s remained one of my favorites.

What was the inspiration for this game, and why did you want to write a story in this genre?

Infamous was inspired by my love of music and reality TV. I was a big pop culture nerd when I was younger and was even an admin of a fanbase for an artist (that I won’t mention!). I met a few of my best friends through artists’ fandoms and learned a lot about the fan culture of pop stars and artists that way. As for the reality part, I grew up on trashy reality television. Admittedly, I was definitely too young for half the stuff I watched, but thankfully it worked out! My first IF being a contemporary band drama story felt right. Everything I write in Infamous comes from the knowledge I’ve picked up over the years consuming pop culture.

How has your identity, heritage/background, or personal experience influenced your storytelling?

A lot of the dynamics in Infamous are picked up from my real life. My social circle is so different in both identity and life experience that it only made sense the band in Infamous would look the same. My friends are always there to lend their experience and/or perspectives which has made the band in Infamous feel more ‘real’ to me. 

What’s the one thing you’re really proud of that you’ve written so far? Do you have a favorite character or scene that you’ve written? 

A lot of MC’s story is about the uncertainty of the future. There’s a constant theme of ‘making this work because there’s no backup.’ MC is taking (celebrity) life as it comes and that’s something I definitely relate to. Working a creative job, being unlabeled, dropping out of college with no backup plan…that kind of theme resonates with me! I’ve always been a “go-with-the-flow” kind of person. Not too worried about putting a label on myself or planning what’s next for my life. Of course, MC has a lot more at stake!

While I’ve said August is my favorite character, I am really proud to have created Seven. They’re still really hard to pin down sometimes, even years later, which I feel like is a good thing. I’ve never written a character that people are so attached to and invested in, both positively and negatively. It amazes me the things people latch to, even things about them that I didn’t even think about until readers point it out to me. I’ve been jokingly told Seven is probably my peak when it comes to character writing, and honestly, I wouldn’t mind it if that’s the case. 

I also really like G Reign. They’re another character whose complexity really puts my writing abilities to the test. I can write an entire separate story about them alone. 

For folks who enjoyed your IF, what other book/music/movie should they check out with the same ‘vibe’, (whatever that means to you)?

Coyote Ugly, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Daisy Jones & The Six (both the book and show—the book is better). I binged all of this in one weekend and that’s how I came up with the idea for Infamous. I’ve said this a million times but Infamous seriously wouldn’t exist without this list! 

What're you excited to implement or work on next?

The romance in Infamous! Ironically enough for a romance there hasn’t been much of it but we’re finally getting there and I’m super excited. I’m also super excited to work on another IF when this one is all said and done. It’s a long way out but the prospect of playing in a new sandbox is great motivation! 

Fun with the modern/slice-of-life genre

Personal fave profession: Artist! (Surprise.) 

Personal fave modern setting: A small town. 

If you were transported into the setting above, as the profession you selected, what would be the main current plot ‘struggle’ be: Trying to find a job and live a normal life after my world-shattering scandal in Hollywood, because clearly something big must’ve happened that had me returning home with my tail between my legs!

[secondact-if]

SECOND ACT.

demo (coming soon).

You die, and when you open your eyes, you’re on the edge of a cliff.

Somehow, the webnovel you were obsessed with in high school is your new reality. You’ve landed in the middle of a civil war, inhabiting the body of the story’s crown mage— the protagonist’s right hand and closest confidant. The mage, you realize, whose shoddily-written death in the middle of the story is what spurs the protagonist into winning the war. But there you are, unharmed on the night of your supposed murder. 

Everything derails from there. Nothing is as it seems, and this story is far more twisted than you had been led to believe. Despite the changes caused by your arrival, you think you still know how to reach the story’s fated ending, and you hold out hope that all you’ll have to do to make it out alive is fight a few little battles with your overpowered magic. 

(The thing is, you’re growing unsure about whether the ending you read is truly a happily ever after.)

Well, one way or another, you’re determined to reach an ending and get home. What kind of ending, and whether it matches destiny’s plans for you— that, you’ll figure out along the way. Good luck; plot armor can’t help you now.

SECOND ACT is meant for mature audiences only, containing themes of war and associated traumas, including but not limited to: violence, death, abuse, mental illness, psychological trauma, morally complex relationships, and self-harm. 

FEATURES.

Customize your MC’s appearance and personality. Figure out how to use your overpowered magic, and deal with the consequences of your continued existence in a world where you should be dead.

Bond with a cast of characters who are nothing like the characters you thought they were. Choose who to trust with your secrets in this world filled with ever-shifting allegiances and betrayals, or keep them all at arm’s length.

Use your meta-knowledge to survive and get ahead of the plot. (That is, if you think you can still trust what you know.)

Navigate a kingdom in the midst of a rebellion. You’re… probably on the right side of history. 

LOVE INTERESTS.

HAISEN. THE BARBARIAN. 

The war general taken prisoner after the fall of the island clans. The novel had never told you his name. All he had been was a cruel, brutish villain who existed to be disliked and discarded. So, when instead you meet a young man bound in chains, who watches you with quiet, intelligent eyes, you’re not sure what to think. He’s been put into your care, as a gift, but you’re not sure if you’re meant to tame him or kill him. (Or, perhaps, there’s a secret third option.)

AVELIENNEKA. THE SAINTESS.

Kind, lovely, and all things good, the beloved saintess of the Seraphian Church is the perfect love interest for the princely protagonist. At least, that’s what you believe, until the first time you speak to her alone. The saintess is a beautiful, malicious little lie, dripping in poisoned honey— a viper poised to strike. At whom, you’re unsure. Out the corner of your eye, though, you think you might catch a glimpse of something soft and rotten beneath all her venom.

ISORIN. THE GAMBLER.

The Royal Spymaster’s second life as an infamous tavern drunk (and part-time independent intelligence broker) is a secret you only know thanks to your… unique circumstances. He hides behind counted cards and hollow-ringing laughs;  you find yourself holding your cards closer to your chest whenever he’s around. There’s something electrifying about him that makes you want to pour out the darkest depths of your soul, and tear out every last truth of his in return.

KAINA. THE VILLAINESS. 

Your would-be murderer was an interesting character. The so-called villainess is barely present in the story, only existing to bring the main couple together through ridiculous schemes and cliche jealousy– and to kill you offscreen. But she wasn’t there at all, that night you woke up on the cliffside. The villainess you meet is far kinder to you than anyone else you’ve met so far. It worries you, how much this body trusts her. You don’t know whether to feel relieved, or far more worried about what she has in store.

[interact-if]

Announcing the top-voted IFs in the modern/slice-of-life genre! Congrats to all the winning games. Definitely check them out if you're in the mood for some heartwarming moments, excellent character work, and great pacing.

You can find our spotlight interview for Infamous by @infamous-if here.

Completed

When Life Gives You Lemons by @when-life-gives-you-lemons-if

Ongoing

Infamous by @infamous-if (overall winner)

College Tennis: Origin Story by @collegetennisoriginstory & Apartment 502 by @apt502-if (tied)

Press Play by @pressplay-if

Check out the full list of modern/slice-of-life submissions here.

[interact-if]

Modern/Slice-of-Life Winner 🏆 Infamous

It was an incredible pleasure to interview @infamous-if, author of the overall winner in the modern/slice-of-life category for Infamous. The IF is packed with emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and a remarkable talent for transforming a familiar modern setting into something utterly engrossing. Whenever I pick up the IF, I end up staying up way past my bedtime.

Amy is an absolute force in the IF community—someone whose writing ability, dedication, and sheer consistency are genuinely awe-inspiring, and who is also one of the sweetest people around.

See the full list of winners in this category here.

About the author

Heyy! For new readers who may not know me, my name is Amy and Infamous is my one and only IF. It may be my first IF but what readers may not know is that it’s not my first foray into publishing fiction. I’ve indie published a few novels before getting into interactive fiction! 

About the game

A story about finding your way through the best and worst parts of Hollywood live on television.

Tell me more about your journey into interactive fiction or what you're working on now

I’m working on a few things. Infamous always takes priority, so I’ve really been focusing on at least hitting the halfway mark and with chapter five out I can practically see it now. I have been dabbling in a future Infamous spinoff and two new stories in entirely new settings. I’m mildly superstitious, so I’m pretty private about everything that isn’t Infamous related, but it’s all really exciting to do something different.

Discovering interactive fiction started with visual novels when I was ten. I used to play those admittedly cringy dating games from the app store all the time! I just loved reading and I was looking for any medium to scratch that itch. Creatures Such as We was the first Choicescript project I ever read. That’s when it clicked in my mind that interactive fiction was an actual thing. I went through what was available in their catalogue in a month. Since then it’s remained one of my favorites.

What was the inspiration for this game, and why did you want to write a story in this genre?

Infamous was inspired by my love of music and reality TV. I was a big pop culture nerd when I was younger and was even an admin of a fanbase for an artist (that I won’t mention!). I met a few of my best friends through artists’ fandoms and learned a lot about the fan culture of pop stars and artists that way. As for the reality part, I grew up on trashy reality television. Admittedly, I was definitely too young for half the stuff I watched, but thankfully it worked out! My first IF being a contemporary band drama story felt right. Everything I write in Infamous comes from the knowledge I’ve picked up over the years consuming pop culture.

How has your identity, heritage/background, or personal experience influenced your storytelling?

A lot of the dynamics in Infamous are picked up from my real life. My social circle is so different in both identity and life experience that it only made sense the band in Infamous would look the same. My friends are always there to lend their experience and/or perspectives which has made the band in Infamous feel more ‘real’ to me. 

What’s the one thing you’re really proud of that you’ve written so far? Do you have a favorite character or scene that you’ve written? 

A lot of MC’s story is about the uncertainty of the future. There’s a constant theme of ‘making this work because there’s no backup.’ MC is taking (celebrity) life as it comes and that’s something I definitely relate to. Working a creative job, being unlabeled, dropping out of college with no backup plan…that kind of theme resonates with me! I’ve always been a “go-with-the-flow” kind of person. Not too worried about putting a label on myself or planning what’s next for my life. Of course, MC has a lot more at stake!

While I’ve said August is my favorite character, I am really proud to have created Seven. They’re still really hard to pin down sometimes, even years later, which I feel like is a good thing. I’ve never written a character that people are so attached to and invested in, both positively and negatively. It amazes me the things people latch to, even things about them that I didn’t even think about until readers point it out to me. I’ve been jokingly told Seven is probably my peak when it comes to character writing, and honestly, I wouldn’t mind it if that’s the case. 

I also really like G Reign. They’re another character whose complexity really puts my writing abilities to the test. I can write an entire separate story about them alone. 

For folks who enjoyed your IF, what other book/music/movie should they check out with the same ‘vibe’, (whatever that means to you)?

Coyote Ugly, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Daisy Jones & The Six (both the book and show—the book is better). I binged all of this in one weekend and that’s how I came up with the idea for Infamous. I’ve said this a million times but Infamous seriously wouldn’t exist without this list! 

What're you excited to implement or work on next?

The romance in Infamous! Ironically enough for a romance there hasn’t been much of it but we’re finally getting there and I’m super excited. I’m also super excited to work on another IF when this one is all said and done. It’s a long way out but the prospect of playing in a new sandbox is great motivation! 

Fun with the modern/slice-of-life genre

Personal fave profession: Artist! (Surprise.) 

Personal fave modern setting: A small town. 

If you were transported into the setting above, as the profession you selected, what would be the main current plot ‘struggle’ be: Trying to find a job and live a normal life after my world-shattering scandal in Hollywood, because clearly something big must’ve happened that had me returning home with my tail between my legs!

[interact-if]

Fantasy Winner: A Tale of Crowns

It was a pleasure to speak with @ataleofcrowns about A Tale of Crowns, the top-voted game in the Fantasy category!

AToC is a sweeping fantasy romance inspired by Middle Eastern cultures and traditions. Blending fascinating world-building, unforgettable romance options into a truly distinctive story, this is a must-play (if you haven't already) and 100% a deserving winner in a stacked category.

We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we enjoyed putting it together! Read the other interview with @wings-of-ink for God-Cursed here.

You can find the list of fantasy winners here.

About the author

There’s a lot that people don’t know since I don’t really post much about myself or my personal life, and I’d honestly prefer to keep it that way, which I suppose is in and of itself something that people should know! I’m just naturally a private person, so I would like people to pay attention to my work first and foremost. I also struggle answering questions about myself in general, so it’s easier this way haha.

About the game

It’s a high fantasy romance story with Middle Eastern roots.

Tell me about your journey into interactive fiction and what you’re working on right now

Aside from AToC I also write for fun (traditional fiction that is), but it’s nothing I would ever post since it’s just for myself and to practice at writing. As for interactive fiction, I’ve always been very fond of choice-based games since I was a kid, so when I discovered the medium of Twine I thought it was a perfect way to try my hand at it for fun. It started as a hobby and then it unexpectedly developed into something more from there.

What was the inspiration for this game, and why did you want to write a story in this genre?

Aside from my enjoyment of the choice-based genre, I also enjoy fantasy, but in Western spheres you usually get European-inspired fantasy settings for obvious reasons. When Western authors do decide to include West Asian representation, it’s usually in an exoticized or fetishized form. So I wanted to create something that reflected art that was recognizable to me and others like me. 

Are there any specific themes or messages you hope players take away from your work?

This is a bit broader than what the question asks for, but: I hope it inspires and motivates people to seek out or create spaces for themselves instead of seeking representation in spheres that have proven hostile to anything that diverges from the norm, whether it be in regards to culture, race, gender, sexuality, etc. I find this more useful than begging such creators to please consider us as human beings when writing their stories. Besides which, you realistically can’t expect any single person to perfectly cater to and represent your individual needs. It’s better to make or seek out art that resonates with you and supporting that than waste time and energy hoping for scraps. 

What’s the one thing you’re really proud of that you’ve written so far? Do you have a favorite character or scene that you’ve written? 

My favorite scene is and still remains the coronation scene in Chapter 7. It touches both on a lot of world-building for the setting of the game as well as personal development for the Crown, who up until that point has felt like a survivor just trying to get by. Now, for the first time in their life, they’re being entrusted with something monumental and terrifying: the wellbeing of an entire nation. It’s the “real” beginning of the game, in a way.

Any books, music, movies etc. you’re obsessed with at the moment, or would like to recommend?

This kind of gets back to the earlier question of what inspired me to write AToC/fantasy, but I saved it for this because I want to give a massive recommendation for everyone to check out the light novel series Twelve Kingdoms written by Fuyumi Ono. It’s also available in anime form, though that is left unfinished, and the light novels have recently gotten an updated English translation for the entire series. I never cared for traditional Western fantasy books, but Twelve Kingdoms was one of the works of fantasy that made me absolutely fall in love with the genre and inspired a lot of AToC as well. 

What’re you excited to tackle/implement/work on next?

I’ve begun brainstorming my next IF work after AToC is finished. I won’t start writing on it until AToC is in its final chapters, but until then I’m letting it marinate for the next couple of years. I’m planning on it to be very different from AToC, in a more horror-oriented and much smaller setting, with an older and experienced cast of characters and MC. Though of course it will be romance-centric as well, because I’m a romance writer at heart haha. They’ll all be a lot more morally ambiguous or, in some cases, outright bad people. I think it’ll be a refreshing change of pace after having worked on AToC for so long!