While flashy graphics and big-budget visuals often steal the spotlight, text based games hold a special place in the gaming world.
These games, built entirely on words, have been around since the early days of computers and still capture players today.
Why? Because they’re easy to access, spark the imagination, and tell stories in ways other games can’t.
Back in the 1970s and ‘80s, text based games like Zork were some of the first to pull players into virtual worlds, relying on clever descriptions and simple commands.
Fast forward to now, and they’ve grown into modern interactive fiction and even popped up as text adventures on your phone. They’ve stuck around because they don’t need fancy tech—just a good story and a willing player.
At Gamespublisher.com, we’re fascinated by how these games keep evolving while staying true to their roots.
What Are Text Based Games?
So, what exactly are text based games?
They’re games where everything—characters, places, actions—is described through text. No dazzling graphics, no animated cutscenes, just words on a screen.
You read the story, type in what you want to do, and the game responds. It’s like reading a book where you get to decide what happens next.
Unlike graphical games that lean on visuals to pull you in, text based games put storytelling front and center. They give players choices that shape the adventure—do you open the creepy door or walk away?
Your imagination fills in the blanks, making every moment feel personal. It’s less about what you see and more about what you think and feel. That’s a big part of their charm.
Take classics like Colossal Cave Adventure, where you explore a mysterious cave system, or The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, packed with humor and quirky decisions.
Then there’s modern stuff like 80 Days, a steampunk-inspired journey, or Choice of Robots, where your picks build a whole sci-fi saga.
Whether old-school or new, these games prove words alone can create worlds worth exploring.
A Brief History of Text Based Games
The story of text based games kicked off in the 1970s and ‘80s when computers were just starting to find their way into homes.
Early gems like Colossal Cave Adventure—often called just “Adventure”—popped up around 1976, letting players type commands to roam through a treasure-filled cave.
Then came Zork a few years later, dreamed up by MIT students and turned into a hit by Infocom.
These games were simple but magical, painting vivid worlds with nothing but text. They were perfect for the time—computers couldn’t handle fancy graphics yet, so words did all the heavy lifting.
As the ‘80s rolled on, Infocom became the king of this style, churning out classics like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
By the ‘90s and early 2000s, things shifted a bit. Graphics were taking over, but text games didn’t fade—they evolved.
Fans started calling them “interactive fiction”, and tools like Inform let anyone craft their own tales. The focus turned to deeper stories and tricky puzzles, keeping a loyal crowd hooked.
Fast forward to the 2010s, and text based games got a fresh boost. Smartphones made them easy to play anywhere, and titles like 80 Days showed how sleek and gripping they could be.
Meanwhile, platforms like Twine and Ink let creators whip up stories fast, and AI started stepping in—think AI Dungeon, where the game writes itself as you go.
Today, text based games are thriving, blending old-school charm with new tricks.
Types of Text Based Games
Text based games come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own flavor of fun. Whether you’re into solo storytelling or battling it out with others, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a look at the main types making waves today.
Interactive Fiction (IF)
These are the heart and soul of text based gaming—games all about story. In interactive fiction, you’re dropped into a narrative, and your choices steer where it goes.
Think of exploring a haunted house or solving a mystery, typing things like “open door” or “talk to stranger”.
Classics like Zork fit here, but so do modern ones like The Shadow Society, where every decision feels like it matters.
MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons)
MUDs take text gaming online, letting lots of players jump into the same world together.
Picture a fantasy realm where you’re a warrior or wizard, typing commands to fight monsters or trade with friends—all in real-time.
Text based online games started back in the late ‘70s with games like MUD1 and still have die-hard fans who love the social, role-playing vibe.
Choice-Based Games
These games simplify things: instead of typing, you pick from a list of options. Each choice branches the story in wild directions.
Companies like Choice of Games nail this with titles like Choice of the Dragon, where you might end up ruling a kingdom or torching it.
Lifeline, a mobile hit, has you guiding an astronaut through a tense survival tale, one decision at a time.
AI-Generated Adventures
These are the cutting edge—games where AI spins the story for you.
AI Dungeon is the big name here: you type what you want to do, and the AI dreams up what happens next.
Want to be a pirate? A space explorer? It’ll roll with it, creating endless possibilities. It’s chaotic, creative, and a peek at where text games might head next.
Why Develop Text Based Games?
Text based games are a dream for developers who want to create something amazing without breaking the bank or needing a huge team.
Here’s why they’re still a smart pick for game developers today.
Low Game Development Costs
One big perk is how affordable they are to make. You don’t need pricey 3D models, animations, or a top-tier graphics engine—just words.
A small team, or even one person with a laptop, can build a full game. That makes them a great starting point for indie creators or anyone watching their budget.
Focus on Storytelling
If you love telling stories, text based RPG games are your playground. Without visuals to lean on, the narrative takes center stage.
You can craft deep characters, twisty plots, and moments that really stick with players. It’s all about pulling people in with words and letting them feel like they’re part of the tale.
Accessibility
These games can run on almost anything—old PCs, smartphones, even e-readers. That means more people can play them, and no fancy hardware is required.
Whether someone’s on a subway with their phone or chilling with a basic laptop, your game’s right there for them.
Easy Development Tools
You don’t need to be a coding guru to get started.
Tools like Twine let you drag and drop story chunks together, perfect for beginners. Ink, used by pros behind best story games like 80 Days, mixes simple scripting with powerful options.
And Inform 7 feels like writing in plain English, making it a breeze to whip up interactive fiction.
These tools lower the bar so anyone with a good idea can jump in.
How to Make Text Games?
Ready to make your own text based adventure games? It’s simpler than you might think.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you going.
Step 1: Choose Your Text Based Game Type
First, figure out what kind of game you want.
Love a solo story? Go for interactive fiction. Want players teaming up online? Try a MUD.
Or keep it easy with a choice-based game where folks pick from options. Your choice sets the vibe for everything else.
Step 2: Select a Development Tool
Next, pick your tool or game engine.
Twine’s great for beginners—super visual and no heavy coding. Ink’s a step up, and flexible for bigger projects. Inform 7 is awesome for classic interactive fiction with natural language.
If you’re comfortable coding, Python or JavaScript lets you build something custom from scratch. Match the tool to your skills and goals.
Step 3: Write an Engaging Story
Now, the fun part: the story.
Start with a basic outline—where’s it set, who’s in it, what’s the goal? Add branches so player choices change the path, like picking a friend or foe.
Flesh out characters with quirks or secrets to keep things lively. Make sure choices matter—small wins or big twists keep players hooked.
Step 4: Implement Mechanics and Interactivity
Time to bring it to life. For choice-based games, set up clear options that lead somewhere.
Want an inventory? Let players “pick up” items and use them later. If you’re feeling bold, weave in AI—like with AI Dungeon—to generate surprises.
Simple commands or clickable buttons work too, depending on your style.
Step 5: Test and Publish Your Game
The last step is to test your game. Play it yourself, then get friends to try it—watch where they stumble or get bored.
Fix bugs and tweak the story until it flows. When it’s ready, share it!
Platforms like Itch.io are perfect for indie games or aim bigger with Steam or mobile app stores. A little polish and your game’s out in the world.
Best Text Based Games You Should Try
Text based games are a great way to enjoy stories and challenges using just your imagination.
Here are some popular ones you should try, split into classic, modern, and indie games.
Classic Games
- Zork: This is an old game from the 1970s. You explore a big underground world, looking for treasure. You type commands like “take sword” to play. It’s famous for being fun and clever.
- Colossal Cave Adventure: This game started it all in 1976. You wander through caves, solving puzzles with simple text. It’s like a book you control.
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Based on a funny book, this game came out in 1984. You travel to space, solve tricky puzzles, and laugh at the weird story.
Modern Games
- 80 Days: This game is inspired by a classic book about traveling the world in 80 days. You make choices to plan your trip. Every choice changes the story, so it’s exciting to play again and again.
- AI Dungeon: This one uses smart tech to make up stories as you go. You can type anything, and the game builds a wild adventure just for you. It feels endless.
- Choice of Robots: You build a robot and decide its future. Your choices shape the story—will your robot be a hero or a problem? It’s simple but deep.
- Lifeline: You help someone lost in space by picking options on your phone. It feels real because the story waits for your replies, like texting a friend.
Indie Gems
There are cool indie games on Itch.io worth checking out.
- Wayfarer: lets you roam a magical world with tough choices.
- Throne of Ashes: puts you in a dark fantasy where your decisions matter a lot.
- Viatica: is a quiet adventure about a journey with big feelings.
These games are small but packed with creativity.
The Future of Text Based Games
Text based games are changing fast. Smart tech like AI and NLP is making games more alive.
With NLP, you can talk to the game in your own words, not just pick options. AI Dungeon already does this, creating stories on the spot. In the future, story games could feel like chatting with a real person, with smarter plots and surprises.
Phones make gaming easy, and text based games fit perfectly.
You can play anywhere, anytime. Cloud tech lets games save online, so you switch devices without losing progress. This could mean bigger, shared text worlds where players team up or compete.
Indie creators are shaking things up. They try bold ideas big game publishers might skip.
On places like Itch.io, you see games with weird stories or fresh twists, like mixing text with small pictures or sounds. These small teams keep the genre exciting and new.
Conclusion
Text based games have a special place in gaming history.
They started simple, like Zork and Colossal Cave Adventure, proving words can be powerful. Today, modern hits like 80 Days and indie gems on Itch.io show they’re still growing.
With AI, mobile play, and creative indie minds, text based computer games stay important. They let you imagine, decide, and dive into stories—old or new, they’re here to stay.