The Zen of Kayaking is a 1980s Infocom inspired text adventure, which I released last week. Created over 10 days in May 2024, the z3 file weighs in at 80kb, it fits on a floppy disk with title artwork, and here it’s running on a 90s laptop + external CRT. The estimated play time is 10 hours after observing one casual play through, but it could be completed in much less time if the puzzles just click. It's available on itch.io for purchase.
Due to Internal things, the June and July issues will only update on events and games. We hope to resume regular activities and include more pages by August.
Note: while Axelle is mentioned, they are currently on a break.
~ EVENT SPOTLIGHT : RAFFLE FOR PALESTINE ~
The IF COMMUNITY RAFFLE FOR PALESTINE is a charity drive spearheaded by Kit from “The Northern Passage” (@northern-passage) to raise money for Palestine families trying to evacuate Gaza.
To participate in the raffle, you must provide a receipt that you donated 5€/$5 to one of the five selected GoFundMe to receive one ticket for the raffle.
Each further 5€/$5 donation (to the same or one of the other 5 GFM) will grant you another raffle ticket.
Prizes will be assigned to valid raffle ticket at random, using a generator. These prizes include portrait of characters (bust/full, coloured/sketched, background/clean), as well as writing snippets (500+ w/) or playable in- character micro-IF. The list of the 50 participating artists and authors can be found here.
You can redeem tickets for the raffle up until the 21st of June.
Winners will be contacted shortly after.
~ CONFERENCE ~
While you cannot register for the Narrascope in person, you can still do so for the online option until June 17th! The event is happening June 21-23.
It is also possible to participate in their game jam even if you are not attending! You can already submit now!
~ ONGOING (VOTING) ~
With this edition of the 🔥 Fuck Capitalism Jam 2024 🔥 being ranked, the jam is currently in its voting period until next week.
If you did not submit an entry (and thus, cannot vote), you can still share your thoughts in the games comments!
The Rayuela (Spanish IFComp) is also still in their voting period. If you are Spanish speaking, come support the entries!
~ ONGOING (SUBMITTING) ~
Still ongoing is the ParserComp, which are looking for parser games, both with a classic feel or a more experimental approach.
If you are looking to make a Visual Novel, the Otome Jam will be looking for entries until July 1st. There is also the Josei jam running parallel to it.
While it is not IF-focused, the Anti-Romance Jam is once again looking for anti-romance submissions!
Love/Violence is another unranked game jam looking for entries dealing with Love and Violence and all the things in between (also accepts non IF)
Come submit to the Neo-Twiny Jam for charity! Until the end of June, every 500-word micro IF will help raise money for LBGTQ+ causes.
Reach out to the organisers (@neointeractives/@neo-twiny-jam) if you want to donate instead!
From now until the start of July, you can participate in the Fix the Worst Visual Novels Jam.
Can you write something in French? Or use Google Translate? The annual Nouvim3000 is an unranked francophone IF jam where you need to write between 500 and 3k words. This year's theme is “INCOMBUSTIBLE”.
~ ENDED ~
The Tomatoes bitsy jam ended last weekend. Check you the cool half-dozen entries!
~ OTHER ~
The Interactive Fiction Showcase is still running!
If you have completed an IF piece this year, consider submitting it! It is happening only on itch!
~ NEW RELEASE ~
The Zen of Kayaking (Z-code) is a text adventure game inspired by 1980s Infocom games, where you go on a Kayak trip on a Sunday morning. @pixelturkey
Goodnight Molly (Ren’Py) is a short visual novel about stories and how we don't always remember them the way we think we do.
Blank Canvas (Ren’Py) is a visual novel where you play as an illustrator asked for a time-sensitive comission.
What Grackle Told the Stranger (Twine) is a short mystery game based on D&D.
Don't forget about the cool games released in the events mentioned in the previous pages!
There were a lot of really cool games!
(Erika really liked the Neo-Twiny entries.)
~ NEW RELEASE (WIP) ~
Eldritch Tales: Inheritance (CScript) is a cosmic horror where you inherit a creepy manor. @darielivalyen
A Rose by Another Name (Twine) is a Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet inspired project with a queer twist. @triscuit-writes
Text Your Life (Ren’Py) is a romance mobile phone chat simulator.
Stygian—Elves of Darkest Night (CScript) is a high-fantasy project.
Project Xavier (CScript) is a high-fantasy project where you play as a hunter.
~ GAMES UPDATES ~
Burning Academia (Twine) has released its second chapter. @burning-academia-if
The Bureau (CScript) has updated its demo with 40k+ words. @morbethgames
One Knight Stand (CScript) is releasing the next update at different Patreon tier. @oneknightstand-if
Honor Bound (CScript) has released its seventh chapter on Patreon. @hpowellsmith
Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse (Twine) has released the first part of Chapter 1. @stygiansun-totaleclipse
The Night Market (Twine) released Chapter 5 on its Patreon. @night-market-if
Dimension Jumper (Twine) added Chapter 11 to the demo. @dimension-jumper-if
Shattered Eagle: Fall of an Empire (CScript) released its third chapter.
Saturnine (CScript) added a new chapter of 36k words. @satur9-if
~ OTHER ~
The Queer Games Bundle (@queergamesbundle) is now live on itch.io. Support a bunch of queer creators (including Interactive Fiction authors!) by purchasing the bundle!
We apologize if we missed an update or a release. We are but volunteers trying to find as much info as possible, but sometimes news pass through the cracks.
Please, let us know if something should have been added to the zine, and we will shout it out next week!
I released a text adventure game inspired by 1980s Infocom games. It runs under DOS or in the browser and is available on itch. I made the pixel art for the cover/title screen. Scroll to the end of the page for links to two good documentaries on early text adventure games.
Two minds, both shared physically,
In Lumon Industries, where we set our scene,
From unbearable grief break to mental clarity,
Where severed mind makes severed days unseen.
From forth the separate lives of these two foes,
A moment glimpsed from your Outie’s life;
Brings an unbridled desire to know
How many memories lost under the knife?
The hopeful discovery of an overtime contingency,
And the continuance of their Innie’s rage,
Would not, save but for Dylan’s son, have uncovered this conspiracy.
Is now the fifty-five minutes of our stage;
The which if you with patient eyes attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Shakespeare's Prologue to Romeo and Juliet, but Severance
Pixel art remake of a scene from Severance Season 1 Episode 7 "Defiant Jazz" , rendered on Super Nintendo (SNES). This is a capture running in Retroarch Snes9x.
Music adapted from Axes Academy piano tutorial of the Severance Main Title theme by Theodore Shapiro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qwm0...
Actors from right to left:
https://twitter.com/brittlower
https://twitter.com/JohnMTurturro
https://twitter.com/zachcherrygmail
https://twitter.com/mradamscott
Running on a real SNES here: https://pixelturkey.tumblr.com/post/690247902635982848/scene-from-severance-1x07-defiant-jazz
Also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCm7_Uc5GwU
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