I was really excited when I saw the theme for the Jay is Games Casual Gameplay Design Competition #7. I thought “Ooh! interactive fiction with an escape theme! I can do that!” Then I realized that they really do mean interactive fiction…as in a text only game… and it has to be programmed in Z-code?! Immediately the creative possibilities dwindled in my mind.  I appreciate the novelty of creating something based on an old-school gameplay model, but I am not actually interested in making or playing a game that is just text. And what is Z-code?!

On the other hand, I think there are some people who will do extremely well with this kind of game. The limitation will become a source of creativity, particularly for people who are not interested in creating game art. As Jay is Games puts it, “you can spend your time polishing puzzles instead of pixels.”

It is suggested that you make a one room game, but it can be more.

Good luck to those who enter!

Deadline: January 31, 2010

The Prizes:

1st place: $1,000
2nd place: $500
3rd place: $250

For more information and to enter the competition visit Jay is Games.