WHAT IS ADRIFT?

The Adventure Development & Runner - Interactive Fiction Toolkit (ADRIFT) is simply a program that can be used to write and play IF games. It was created by Campbell Wild and only works in Windows. When downloaded generator.exe can be used to write games, and runner.exe can be used to play games. The difference between ADRIFT and the other systems that can be used to write IF (e.g. TADS, Inform, Hugo) is that ADRIFT is a lot simpler. It uses a graphical interface where most of the work is done for you. All you need to do is usually enter descriptions and tick the appropriate boxes. The other systems usually require an author to have the ability and interest to delve into the programming of the game.

Of course, there is a compromise between the simplicity and capability of a program and ADRIFT does contain limits, as it cannot be customised to the extent of the other systems. ADRIFT is a good choice for a writer who wants to focus on the fiction aspect of Interactive Fiction. This is not the only good reason, as for example, the simplicity of ADRIFT is attractive for those with limited time, and there is also the opportunity to participate in a friendly community that can be found in the ADRIFT forums located on the main ADRIFT site.

The latest version of ADRIFT generator, which is 4.00, is NOT FREE TO WRITE GAMES IN. It is free to play games in though. The generator may appear to be free at first, but you will not be able to save a game that you have written, which exceeds a size limit. It is very difficult to create a game within the constraints imposed in the unpurchased version of ADRIFT 4.00. There are details on how to purchase ADRIFT on the website http://www.adrift.org.uk/.

There is an alternative to paying though. An older version 3.90 is also available and it is completely free. This version does not contain all of the features of 4.00, but it contains most of them. I programmed my first few games in 3.90, and even finished equal first in the ADRIFT 2005 Spring competition with a 3.90 game, so it is possible to produce good well-liked games using this system. ADRIFT 3.90 games will not work under the 4.00 runner (without paying for the upgrade) and vice versa, so you may need to download the ADRIFT 3.90 program to play old games.

For non-Windows users, SCARE has been developed, which can be used to play, but not write ADRIFT games. SCARE is not perfect, and it is preferable for Windows users to play using the proper system. There are also some older ADRIFT 3.80 games around. Although saving in generator.exe can be used to upgrade games, it can often introduce bugs and it is best to play games in the version that they were originally written in. 

Some useful download links

ADRIFT 4.00 - can be found either at the ADRIFT or IF Archive sites

ADRIFT 3.90 - can be found here

ADRIFT 3.80 - can be found here

SCARE - can be found at the IF Archive

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