interactive fiction

American  

noun

1. an adventure or mystery story, usually presented as a video game or book, in which the player or reader is given choices as to how the storyline is to develop or the mystery is to be solved.

---

Etymology

Origin of interactive fiction

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

“Games can fuel fandom, but they can also create it,” said Sarah Springwater, director of story for Netflix Stories, the library of interactive fiction games based on the company’s programs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2024

Despite that, games like Lionkiller show just how engaging and powerful interactive fiction can be — even if they only have words to work with.

From The Verge • Mar. 1, 2020

Yet interactive fiction is experiencing something of a renaissance these days, thanks in part to easy-to-learn tools like Twine that can turn almost anyone with a computer into a text game creator—no programming skills required.

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2016

The reason Quinn was targeted varies, depending on whom you ask, but most explanations lead to Depression Quest, a free interactive fiction game, released in 2013.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 9, 2014

Exploring those possibilities is one reason Ms. Short became a writer of interactive fiction rather than of more conventional stories.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2014