interactive fiction

American  

noun

1. an adventure or mystery story, usually presented as a video game or book, in which the player or reader is given choices as to how the storyline is to develop or the mystery is to be solved.

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Etymology

Origin of interactive fiction

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

The Immersive Invitational, now in its fourth year, celebrates the communal power of interactive fiction.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2025

Despite that, games like Lionkiller show just how engaging and powerful interactive fiction can be — even if they only have words to work with.

From The Verge • Mar. 1, 2020

Hadean Lands rejuvenates the form’s essence for the first time in many years, and points the way to new and more mind-twisting possibilities for interactive fiction.

From Slate • Jan. 21, 2015

The reason Quinn was targeted varies, depending on whom you ask, but most explanations lead to Depression Quest, a free interactive fiction game, released in 2013.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 9, 2014

A more novel, even radical, form of digital storytelling with text arrived last month on the iPad in the form of Blood & Laurels by Emily Short, an author of interactive fiction.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2014