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.

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Etymology

Origin of interactive fiction

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

interactive fiction

The Immersive Invitational, now in its fourth year, celebrates the communal power of interactive fiction.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2025

Aside from being a great game, Lionkiller is also a great reminder of how rarely interactive fiction games are recognized beyond their niche.

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

A more novel, even radical, form of digital storytelling with text arrived last month on the iPad in the form of Blood & Laurels by Emily Short, an author of interactive fiction.

From New York Times ● Jul. 6, 2014