I'd like to create text games, but I aren't they outdated?
Do people still buy text games?
How many people if so?
How likely are you to buy a text game rather than playing one for free?
How much more are graphical games valued compared to text games?
Are text games "modern"?
Finally, what do YOU think of text based games?
I'm trying to find the ones I played when I was searching for free games for the first time. Have only found this. https://writingmysoul.itch.io/fragments-of-the-past
You notice what works and what doesn't as you play. I was thinking as I was playing how certain soundtracks and even just still location images could enchance mood etc.
There was this other game I played (that I couldn't find) where I remember that it felt palpably frustrating not knowing whether the options you picked really had any effect at all. It really felt that you were just replying at every occasional prompt to fulfil the requirements of an interactive game but the story was going along on its preordained path regardless. Reminds me of that choice at the start of Wolf Among Uswhere every option you pick leads to you tackling someone out the window. Like that Prozd sketch too.
On the contrary, they're more popular than ever. My most popular tools and games are all text-based.
As for why: great for beginning game devs; light on system resources; they appeal to readers and can take many different forms. Text-based games also provide superior accessibility if made with a little care. They can also be a breath of fresh air compared to the flashing images and frantic action of modern games. A lot of people need a break from life, not more of the same.
It depends on what kind of game we are talking about. If you are referring to games that have only text without a visual as such (unless this games, for example, breaks the fourth wall, but visualization is also necessary for this), then I would rather skip them. After all, this is more of a book than a game, even with the choice itself. I would advise you to pay attention to visual novels. An ageless genre. And there are an incredible number of possibilities for realization and immersion in the plot now
After all, this is more of a book than a game
If it is a linear "game", yes. Same goes for kinetic visual novels.
But even regular books can feature illustrations. In the extreme variant you have a graphic novel comic book.
There is even those chose your own adventure books. Some with dice rolls and other rules https://itch.io/physical-games/tag-solo-rpg ;-)
In general, there are a lot of volunteers now - they train their skills, or help as a gesture of goodwill. You can temporarily use AI-generated thumbnails (as I did, while the artist draws the content I need). So, if it's a prototype, I don't see anything wrong with it. Or just search on itch.io - there are many artists here. That's how I found a translator for my project, and she just asked me to include her in the credits
Right here on itch.io; failing that, Open Game Art.
It's a nieche.
And it depends on what you think outdated means. VHS tape is outdated, deprecated and basically useless in current tech environment. But game genres, styles and mechanics do not become outdated. If old and superseded by more modern approaches they become "retro". Just look at pixel art. Outdated for decades, but still created.
https://itch.io/games/top-sellers/tag-text-based will give you data for comparison, since you ask about commercial success. Yes people are buying text games. But most of those are not pure text.
https://itch.io/games/top-rated/tag-text-based will give an inkling about popularity without considering payments.
Yeah exactly, I mean technologically, they're no longer at the height of performance capacity. You've got zoomy wooshy flash cound now wow! And text is probably one of the oldest technologies. But what should we infer that you want to go forward with after getting answers to this question? Will it appeal to a mass audience? IMO likely not, but there are 8 Billion people on the earth. Chances are somebody will like it if it can get to them. Depends on what your definition of success is to you. Will you be happy with your piece just connecting with the niche who would appreciate it?
Funny, as far as text goes, it still has some superiorities over other mediums despite its age.
