If inspiration were an animal, it would be a cat—finicky, feisty when cornered, and always giving you That Look when you try to call it to you like a dog. Finding good ideas for anything can be a challenge. Finding compelling ideas for text-based games can be especially difficult.
Unless, of course, you know where—and how—to look.
Finding Inspiration for Your Interactive Fiction
In many ways, looking for text-based game ideas is a lot like seeking out inspiration for any other fiction project. You’ll want to start by reading what you want to write—in this case, interactive fiction (IF) games. The good news is, there are lots of free text-based games out there, many of which can be played directly in your browser or even on your phone.
Look for IF games in your desired genre to start, but don’t shy away from expanding your horizons beyond your comfort zone. Sometimes the best ideas come from the most unexpected places.
When playing these games for research (be sure to play some just for fun, too!), take note of anything that sparks your creativity along the way, such as:
- Narrative elements (e.g. characters, plot points, setting, overall story structure)
- Game mechanics (e.g. stats, puzzles, gameplay goals, multiple endings)
- Artistic elements (e.g. visual layout, graphics, sound effects, music—not every text-based game is text-only)
A good rule of thumb: if it makes you wonder how the developer did it, or if you feel strongly about it (positively or negatively), it’s an element worth looking into.
Creative Ways to Devise Text-Based Game Ideas
Beyond reading interactive (and traditional) fiction, how else can you find good text-based game ideas?
| If you need ideas for… | Try… |
| Narrative elements | – Playing D&D or other RPGs—anything narrative-forward – Playing The Sims or other simulation games—great for character ideas and worldbuilding – Listening or watching musicalsReading nonfiction or watching documentaries about odd or niche topics that interest you – Keeping a diary (and then mining it for inspirational fodder) |
| Game mechanics | – Puzzle-solving—jigsaw puzzles, strategy games, crosswords, logic puzzles, etc. – Playing around in Twine and other IF builders – Looking up how things work (not just video games—anything you’re interested in learning about how it’s made or how it’s done) |
| Artistic elements | – Go to art museums or browse online galleriesLearn about art theory and history – Listen to new music—not just new releases, but artists and genres with which you are unfamiliar – Go spend some time in nature or a new environment and pay attention to how everything looks or feels; jot down notes |
In short—follow your curiosity. Look at other text-based games, but also look beyond them. Explore and experiment. You can even gamify the process—turn it into a scavenger hunt if you like. And remember—chances are, if you find it interesting, others will too.
A Brief Tour of the Places I’ve Found Inspiration for My IF Games
I’ve written a few text-based games myself at this point, and it’s always a pleasant surprise to discover new ideas in new places.
Inspiration for The Harbinger’s Head came from the short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but also from Irish mythology and the Japanese anime Durarara
chiaroscuro began with my linguistic fascination with the word itself back in high school art class; other ideas for the game came from researching art history, Italian culture, Jungian psychology, and the concept of shadow work
The Dragon’s Last Flight was influenced by movies like Dragonheart and Howl’s Moving Castle, the manga The Ancient Magus’s Bride, as well as my interest in the death-positive movement
The main thing you need to do is keep your eyes and your mind open. Inspiration, like cats, has a way of surprising us in unlikely places when we least expect it. Rather than try to predict or control it, I’ve found it’s best to just be ready to receive it whenever it chooses to manifest itself—while cultivating the discipline necessary to write without it in the meantime.
When the ideas do come—and they will, if you welcome them—be ready to write them down to save for later. Don’t trust your memory. Trust your words; they will last longer.
Kim Berkley is the author of several text-based games, including The Harbinger’s Head, chiaroscuro, and more. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter to keep up to date with upcoming and future releases!
