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What is a Text-Based Game?

Text-based games are a category of software that utilizes text-based interfaces to facilitate gameplay through narrative description and command-line input.

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Text-based game

Text-based game

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History

The genre gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s. Pioneers like Will Crowther and Don Woods created 'Colossal Cave Adventure', which influenced the development of the 'Zork' series by Infocom.

Examples

Significant titles include 'Colossal Cave Adventure', the 'Zork' trilogy, and various MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons) which introduced multiplayer elements.

Overview

Text-based games represent a foundational genre in computer gaming history. They function as a form of interactive fiction where the narrative is driven by player input and processed by a text parser.

Importance

Text-based games were instrumental in the development of game design, specifically in creating complex puzzle structures and branching narratives that are still used in modern gaming.

How It Works

The system operates on a loop: the game displays a description, the player inputs a command, and the parser interprets the command to modify the game state, resulting in a new output.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a text-based game?+
A text-based game is a type of software that uses written words instead of pictures to tell a story and let you play by typing commands.
How do you play a text-based game?+
You read the story and type commands like "go north" or "take key" into the command line, and the game responds with new text.
What do you need to play a text-based game?+
All you need is a computer or phone with a program that can run the game and a keyboard to type your commands.
Why are text-based games called "text-based"?+
They are called text-based because the whole game is built around written words, with no graphics or images.
Where can I find text-based games?+
You can find them online, in game libraries, or by downloading free or paid versions from reputable sites.
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