Description: Text-based refers to games that primarily use text for storytelling and interaction, often seen in adventure games. These games focus on reading and writing, allowing players to make decisions through text commands or option selections. The narrative is fundamental in this type of game, as the text not only describes the environment and characters but also sets the atmosphere and tone of the game. Players often need to read detailed descriptions of scenarios, objects, and dialogues, which allows them to immerse themselves in the story and make decisions that affect the game’s progression. This textual approach encourages the player’s imagination, as they must visualize the game’s elements in their minds. Additionally, text-based games tend to be more accessible in terms of hardware requirements, as they do not rely on complex graphics, allowing them to be played on a wide variety of devices. Over the years, this style has evolved, incorporating elements of interactive design and more complex narratives, but it remains a cornerstone in the history of video games, especially in the adventure and role-playing genres.
History: Text-based games have their roots in the early days of computing, with titles like ‘Colossal Cave Adventure’ (1976) and ‘Zork’ (1977) laying the groundwork for the genre. These games were primarily interactive and played on text terminals, where players entered commands to explore virtual worlds. As technology advanced, graphics began to be integrated into video games, but text-based games continued to evolve, adapting to new platforms and styles of play.
Uses: Text-based games are primarily used in the realm of entertainment, offering immersive narrative experiences that encourage creativity and decision-making. They are also employed in education, serving as tools to teach reading and writing skills, as well as in game prototyping, where developers can focus on narrative and game mechanics before implementing graphics.
Examples: Examples of text-based games include ‘Zork’, ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, and ’80 Days’, which combine rich narrative with textual interactivity. These games have been influential in the development of storytelling in video games and continue to be popular among enthusiasts of role-playing and interactive adventure games.
