Here's Matt Rock's definition of Text Adventure and the Rules. I would like to do something slightly different and perhaps modify the definition a little and lightened up some of the media restrictions.
Quote: "What is a "Text Adventure?"
A text adventure is a game wherein the player navigates through a world by reading segments of a story, and then selecting a path or action from a list of options supplied by the software. Rather than seeing your environment, as you would in most modern games, you read descriptive text that explains what the character is seeing and doing.
Most text adventures fall into one of two technical categories: The option list adventure, and the parser adventure. "Option list" adventures have a menu of options wherein a player can select an action from a list of choices (such as, "1. go east, 2. go west" and the player presses one or two, or presses the corresponding number and then presses enter). "Parser" adventures allow the player to type in commands, such as "open door," "go north," "eat apple," etc., and the software can detect specific commands that are entered into its entry line.
What could I win?
The grand prize package will be awarded to the entrant who scores the highest overall score in four distinct categories: Originality, Story Development, Writing Ability, and Technical Design. The game's scores in each of these categories will be averaged to figure out its overall score. Each category can earn a maximum of 10.0 points. For more about each of these categories and how they are defined, please read the "Kudos Awards" category below.
RULES
NOTE: The judges have the final say in how each rule is interpreted. Attempts to deviate from these rules will result in disqualification. The competition's judges reserve the right to disqualify entries if they feel the need, and will present a written statement as to why these entries have been disqualified so as to avoid confusion or unfairness. The judges have been selected because they are mature, trustworthy, contributing members of the TGC community, so don't worry about any judges treating you and/ or your entry unjustly! This year's judges include myself, Jeku, and Dazzag. More judges will be added should the need arise.
1. Judges playing your game will have the final say in whether your game classifies as a text adventure or not, and will disqualify games that they do not think are legitimate text adventures. The legitimacy of entrants is based on the judges' interpretations of what a text adventure is, NOT what you think a text adventure could be/ what the phrase might mean.
2. Your entry's text must be presented in English. US, UK, and other well-known interpretations of English are acceptable (so the word "color" can also be spelled "colour" with no effect on scoring either way).
3. You must use fonts that are included standard with Windows 2000 and XP machines. Alternatively you can use bitmap fonts or a 2D image of the pre-written text. Judges will not install custom fonts to see them in your game.
4. Some portion of your game, large or small, must be made using TGC software of some sort. Please list the development tools you've used to create your game when you post your entry, including the language(s), IDE(s), DLL(s), applications used for media, etc.
5. The use of Text Adventure/ "IF" Engines, Editors, etc. is strictly prohibited.
6. You must include some small portion of your source code, regardless of the language used to make the game, to validate that you've coded the game yourself.
7. All games submitted to this competition must be fully compiled. Submitted source code that is not compiled will not be judged. Your entry must come in the form of an executable file. You can include additional files and folders, but one executable (EXE) file should run the game.
8. Copyright Law: Any and all media used in this contest must be made by you. Otherwise, proof of permission to use said media must be presented (even for freeware games), including the author of the images/ music and some form of contact information, albeit a website address or e-mail address. Any entry that does not meet this standard will be void from participation.
9. There is no length requirement for this contest, although you should try to keep your game relatively short to play so that it can be judged fully and fairly. Try to introduce the judges to your best features early because they may not have time to play through the entire game if we receive a large number of entries.
A. Judges and/ or their families may not enter the competition.
B. Submissions: You may submit your entry via e-mail (e-mail the game to me) or via these forums. To submit, you can include a compressed file (zip, rar, etc.) or a direct download link. By "direct link," we mean said link should open a download window immediately once clicked. All entries must be received no later than 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time on DEADLINE DATE. No exceptions!
C. Winners will be announced in this thread as soon as all entries have been judged.
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Please post your input on which Rules you want to add, remove or modify.
