Newsgroups: rec.arts.int-fiction
From: paulbl@mdown.demon.co.uk (Paul Bowler)
Path: gmd.de!nntp.gmd.de!newsserver.jvnc.net!netnews.upenn.edu!msuinfo!caen!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!demon!mdown.demon.co.uk!paulbl
Subject: The Validity of IF ......
Organization: Merrydown PLC
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Date: Fri, 14 Oct 1994 15:03:53 +0000
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I have only been connected to the Internet for two weeks now but I
have already become aware of the interest in Interactive Fiction.
This is a medium only two decades old, which in that time has really seen 
no major changes, except for an obvious improvement over the original 
Verb-Noun limitations of the original Interpreters.

Some say that after twenty years this is a very young artform which
will grow over the coming years to mean something valid and maybe
even necessary in our lives, much in the same way Cave paintings from
centuries back have evolved into the fabulous works by Rubens, Manet, and
Constable, to name but a few.

Others disagree. They say twenty years, in computing terms, is an age,
and considering how other areas of computer science have progressed in
that time, the text adventure is a dieing beast. Often they shudder 
at the though of typing in instructions at the keyboard to be given
the 'I don't understand' response. Hopefully these days are over.

Personally I really enjoy a good adventure game, in the same way I enjoy
reading a good book. Just because there are no high definition graphics 
or technotronic sounds blasting out of quadrophonic speakers doesn't 
mean it is not an enjoyable event. It is more food for the mind than for
our senses.

There is then the battle between art and entertainment. Which category
does this fall into ? I am reminded of a lecture on optical physics I
was given at school where the properties of light were being explained.
The question was that if light behaves as both a particle AND a wave,
then which is it ? The answer is, of course, neither. Just because it
appears to be one thing doesn't mean it is that, and that only. Likewise,
interactive fiction may appear to be both a literary novel and diversionary
entertainment. It is both these things, but also neither of then! The
distinction doesn't need to be made - the medium just exists, and we
should accept it on these terms. If we are not careful we may find
we are shooting ourselves in the foot while the rest is the world
is playing Doom.

It is an interesting argument, but all I am saying is shouldn't we just
be getting on with it. One day, with time for development, it may find
a place next to the great classics, but we cannot force it. I am 
commited to it because I enjoy it. All that is left is to convince
everyone else.

Does this make any sense, or am I spouting a load a pretentious garbage ?!



-- 
Paul Bowler
