Heavy Rain and the future of Interactive Fiction

Photo by believekevin

Recently I've heard a lot of Buzz about a new console game called Heavy Rain. I've not played it personally, but I've read several reviews, I've watched the game be played, and I've done a fair amount of research on it. It's being called a new paradigm in gaming, and hailed as incredibly original. 

As I listened to all the hype that surrounded the game, I was met with something akin to Deja Vu: an intense sense of 'this-has-already-been-done-to-great-effect.'  Heavy Rain is billed as an "interactive Drama" one player I spoke with went so far as to say "It's like a movie, only you're the main character, you write the story." 

Dining at Milliways, and other Interactive Fiction

photo by bre pettis Licenced CC non comercial 

It should come as no surprise to most of you that I am a long time fan of Text Adventure (or Interactive Fiction) games. I've played through hundreds of them, and was planning on doing an article detailing the best way to do that on an HP200 LX (Short answer, DOSFrotz and patience!). In light of the fact that my 200lx is now little more than a waterlogged mess, I bring you the Douglas Adams interactive fiction tribute.

In 2001, shortly after Mr. Douglas Adams took his leave from the planet earth, a competition of sorts was held to honor him. The original rules stated "Create your own tribute to Douglas Adams in no more than two hours. Sign the location below when you've finished the game." with a deadline of just a few days later. In true Adams style, the deadline was quickly extended to "when no more games come" which means the contest is technically still open.

Though technically most of these works are infringing copyright (something I point out only in order to highlight how ludicrous current laws are), they are among some of the most enjoyable text adventures I have ever played.