Interactive Fiction



What is interactive fiction?

Wikipedia states "Interactive fiction, often abbreviated IF, describes software simulating environments in which players use text commands to control characters and influence the environment. Works in this form can be understood as literary narratives and as computer games."


With many hypertexts and interactive fiction websites, the literary value of the piece is often at stake.

Although it is apparent that "Firefly" is a literary narrative, the question is if it's considered a true piece of literature.

The Firefly website states "the work is a 'true' hypertext in that in cannot be read linearly. The structure, subtly changing settings, and reader interaction all provide multi-dimensional spaces for meaning, subtext, and context. "

Larson, the author, tells a story about an encounter with a firefly. As the reader goes through the website, the structure changes, giving different interpretations and views of the story.

Although the story can change, it has somewhat of a conlcusion leading this reader to believe that it is a form of literature regardless of where it is found.

Additionally, disorientation seems important in this "IF."
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Interactive Fiction
Disorientation
Structure
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