IFComp: Postmortem

IFComp 2010 is over and the results have been posted. Congratulations to Aotearoa, Rogue of the Multiverse, and One Eye Open!

IFComp 2010: Death Off the Cuff

“Death Off the Cuff” by Simon Christiansen

There’s no blurb, so I have no idea what to expect from this work. Beware of the spoilers…

IFComp 2010: Out of Time

Try as I might, I will be unable to review all of the comp games this year. It’s not you, it’s me! I fill my life with other activities. Judging ends in two days’ time, and I have seven games to go; I’m just not going to make it. So my apologies in advance to Simon Christiansen, Brian Rapp, Michelle Tirto, Taylor Vaughan, Justin Morgan, Wade Clarke and Sara Dee: I didn’t make it to your game, I have no review or rating for the competition. I guess this is why I randomized the list. I might make it to Death Off the Cuff before Monday evening, but probably no further. I will continue to play and post impressions after the comp, though; I know I like getting feedback on my work, so I like to provide it to others.

My competition overview has links to my reviews so far. I’ll also do a retrospective post after the 15th.

IFComp 2010: Rogue of the Multiverse

“Rogue of the Multiverse” by C.E.J. Pacian

Congratulations, convict 76954! You have been selected for scientific experimentation! You will be matter-transmitted to exotic non-Treaty worlds – where opportunities abound to take in fantastic sights and mingle with colourful locals!

This sounds like a randomly generated roguelike in IF format. As the only TADS game in this competition, that seems like a possibility. It does clock in at a pretty hefty 790KB. If I’m right, this game could be the polar opposite of the last one I reviewed: Heavy on the interaction, light on the fiction. Let’s find out; spoilers!

IFComp 2010: Sons of the Cherry

“Sons of the Cherry” by Alex Livingston

A multiple-choice game.

Instead of using a z-code interpreter, this game runs in the browser and is more of a choose-your-own-adventure experience. I’m usually less impressed by these efforts; let’s see how this one holds up. If you would like spoilers, click below. If not, navigate away from this page.

IFComp 2010: The Chronicler

“The Chronicler” by John Evans

A short game with a few interesting tricks.

It’s not the most interesting blurb I’ve ever read. I predict that I’ll either be an immortal bearing witness to the development of humanity, or a newspaperman in 1907. Spoilers continue on page A3.

IFComp 2010: Flight of the Hummingbird

“Flight of the Hummingbird: An Interactive Costumed Caper” by Michael Martin

Dr. Sinister is at it again! The Concordance of Powered Response isn’t entirely clear on what it is he’s planning, but it’s big. This is clearly a task for one of the world’s mightiest champions!

Hooray! This sounds light and fun, which is exactly what I’m in the mood for. Please let there be no zombies involved. Spoilers abound – proceed with caution.

IFComp 2010: One Eye Open

“One Eye Open” by Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine

Had you known the bloody history of Corona Labs, you would never have signed up as a test subject. But now, plunged into that history, surrounded by the damned and the dying, you must find the truth. Perhaps you will even survive it.

More horror. I’m not thrilled, but I do hear potential in the blurb. I’ll be spoiling below.

IFComp 2010: The Blind House

“The Blind House” by Maude Overton

I scarcely know the woman at my side. I don’t even know why she was the one I turned to. I can only hope that we haven’t been followed, that she won’t ask too many questions. The only choice left to me now is to trust her.

Back to comp games, after a break to get settled into a new living space myself. So is this about a house belonging to a blind person? Or a house with no windows? Or a house that’s just a house, and has no memory of the people who have lived inside? Discover this and more in the spoilers beyond!

IFComp 2010: The Bible Retold: The Lost Sheep

“The Bible Retold: The Lost Sheep” by Ben Pennington

There is dissent in the ranks! One of your sheep makes a run for the next field, jumping gracefully over the hedgerows. You stand up quickly and collect your crook. You need that sheep!

I like the idea of adapting Bible stories to interactive fiction. That said, you’re inviting a different sort of critique when you write something like this. SPOILER: He finds the sheep. Other spoilers follow.