Discover the magic of storytelling with our easy-to-understand Inform 7 review. Inform 7 is a free interactive fiction tool that lets you write and implement your dialogue into your game. It’s typically used to create text-based adventures but can also be used to create dialogue in a more elaborate game. It supports Microsoft Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It’s also an open-source program that other people can use to create their own versions. While these versions aren’t made available by the software developers, they do publish proposals based on what other people have done with their code. It makes it a constantly evolving piece of software that’s always being updated.
Inform 7 is an interactive fiction (IF) creation tool that has garnered attention for its unique approach to programming and storytelling. Released by Graham Nelson in 2006, it allows creators to write interactive stories without requiring any programming knowledge. Instead of using traditional coding, Inform 7 uses natural language to enable authors to craft their own interactive worlds. This review delves into the features, strengths, and potential drawbacks of Inform 7, highlighting its role in the world of interactive fiction.
History of Inform
Inform is really a programming language that was created by Graham Nelson in 1993. It was originally developed for Z-code and Glulx virtual machines and the first five version were releases in a short amount of time. The first was released in 1993 and version 5 was released in 1996. Graham then took it and rewrote it from his first principles to create Inform 6. This evolved over the next decade until it was reasonably stable and becoming more popular as a language for writing interactive fiction. Inform 7 was then completely redesigned again with its most stable version being released in 2022. This version was called Natural Inform for some time until it was renamed Inform 7. It’s a completely new language that’s based on natural language, as well as a new set of tools. This version is still being developed and evolved as it creates new ways of writing text. That sets it apart from the other versions is the way users interact with it. It’s based on book publishing, so everything can be input as a narrative. As long as you know the right words to use, the program will take what you write and turn it into a game.
Layout
The layout of Inform 7 lets you see what you’re creating as you develop it. You have a large work area where you can input your data while you follow the rules of the program. This is also where you’ll see buttons that let you play or publish your game. Underneath that, you’ll have two windows with nine tabs that they can display for you. The most useful ones show you the source that you’re creating and how the game looks at that moment. It’s the easiest way to see if you’re getting the code right and if it looks the way you want it to. There are plenty of other things you can display, instead. For example, you can look at different views of your game to show you different perspectives, like your transcripts or your story skeins. You can also manage your exports or add extensions. It creates a workspace that you can customize to fit any of your needs. As those needs change throughout the game’s development, you can change the windows to show you what you need to see at that time.
One of the standout features of Inform 7 is its use of natural language syntax. Unlike many other programming languages that require learning specific commands and structures, Inform 7 allows users to write in plain English. This makes it approachable for people who may have little to no experience with coding. For example, to describe an object in the game, one might write: “The kitchen is a room. The knife is in the kitchen.” The simplicity of this approach lowers the barrier for entry, enabling writers to focus more on creativity than on complex programming concepts.
This syntax, while easier for beginners, may seem odd at first to users familiar with conventional programming languages. However, once understood, it offers an elegant and intuitive way to interact with the game’s world. Authors can describe objects, locations, and events in a natural way, which closely mirrors the writing process for traditional fiction.
Understanding Syntax
The biggest benefit of Inform 7 is also what makes it the most complicated. Its basic goal is to allow the user to create a game by using natural language. That means you can type in something like “You’re on a spaceship.” “There’s food in front of you.” However, those two sentences wouldn’t work. In order for the game to create what you want to see, you have to use the natural language that it expects. Instead of simply describing the world, you have to put it into the correct syntax and that can take a long time to understand. If you’re not using code, then you have to use the same words that Graham Nelson came up with. In this example, you would have to type “The Spaceship is a Room.” “Food is here.” If you don’t use those exact lines, then the program isn’t going to know how to create your game for you. It takes a decent amount of time and research to understand the syntax, even though that’s what’s supposed to make Inform 7 so easy to use. Still, if you put in that time, you’ll find that it’s a much more powerful program than many of the other free options.
Publishing your Game
After you’ve gone through the entire process of developing your game, it’s going to be time to publish it. This can also be a challenge with Inform 7. The only way to export your creation is through Z-code or Glulx. They’re designed for interactive fiction, but they can’t give you a game that you upload to a third-party platform, like Steam. Instead, what you get is a file that has to be integrated into a web site. That means you’ll have to launch the game on your own site and figure out how to direct traffic to it.
Inform 7’s capabilities extend far beyond simple object placement. The tool empowers users to create complex interactive environments with rich storylines, intricate puzzles, and dynamic world states. It supports the creation of non-linear narratives, where the player’s choices directly affect the progression and outcome of the story.
One of the most powerful features of Inform 7 is its built-in support for dynamic conditions and responses. Writers can specify conditions under which certain actions can be performed or specific events occur, based on variables such as player location, time, or even the player’s previous actions. This allows authors to craft immersive and reactive stories that feel alive and responsive to the player’s decisions.
Extensive Community and Resources
Inform 7 is backed by a passionate and supportive community, which is a vital part of its success. The IF community provides a wealth of online resources, including forums, tutorials, and documentation, making it easier for beginners to learn the tool and for experienced users to push the boundaries of what they can create. The Inform 7 website also hosts an interactive documentation feature, which is especially helpful for new users who need to reference functions or need guidance while writing.
Additionally, Inform 7 allows creators to share their work with others through the Interactive Fiction Database (IFDB), where games created with the tool can be published and reviewed by players around the world. This communal aspect of Inform 7 not only encourages learning but also fosters collaboration and inspiration among interactive fiction writers.
More Control
With those drawbacks comes a lot more control over the final product. It makes some things more difficult, but the end result is going to be a game that you wouldn’t be able to create anywhere else. It’s up to every user to decide if it’s worth it or not. There’s no way to create a scrolling or an action game. It’s always going to be a text adventure game, but it will have more depth and complexity than most games of the same genre and that’s what keeps this a popular choice.
While Inform 7 offers an intuitive, natural language-based interface, it does come with a learning curve. Although the tool is designed to be easy to pick up, the depth of its capabilities can be overwhelming for beginners. Complex interactions, advanced features, and debugging can be tricky for users without any coding experience. Additionally, Inform 7’s focus on text-based interaction means that creating visual elements or integrating multimedia features like graphics or sound can be more difficult compared to other game creation tools.
Another limitation is that Inform 7 games are typically text-heavy. While this can be a strength for fans of traditional interactive fiction, modern players who are used to more graphically intensive or action-oriented games may find Inform 7’s offerings somewhat dated or limiting in terms of presentation.
Pros:
• Powerful program
• Natural language used
• Free to use
Cons:
• Difficult to learn syntax
• Can’t publish to gaming platforms
• Only makes text games
Conclusion: Inform 7 is Good for a Certain Developer
Inform 7 is a powerful and unique tool for crafting interactive fiction. Its natural language interface makes it accessible to writers of all levels, and its flexibility allows for the creation of highly intricate and engaging narratives. However, the learning curve and limitations in multimedia integration might deter some users. For those interested in storytelling, puzzle design, or exploring the world of interactive fiction, Inform 7 is an invaluable tool that combines creativity with technical power.
If you want to make text adventure games, and that’s it, Inform 7 is going to give you plenty of power and control over the game you develop. If you want to make anything else, it might not be worth the amount of time you put into it. You have to learn the language’s syntax and that can take a lot of work. Still, the game will be better than what you can create on the majority of other free options. It’s also constantly evolving and changing.