1 | @@>[[JustForFun/DescribeTopicHere Describe Text Parser here.]]@@ |
2 | |
3 | I don't know the word "Describe". |
4 | |
5 | @@>ask Website/TVTropes about TextParser@@ |
6 | |
7 | A text parser is a form of input that takes commands from the player and simplifies this to commands that the game engine can understand. It is commonly found in {{Adventure Game}}s and InteractiveFiction, where it is used to control the actions of characters and influence the in-game environment. Using the parser to control an in-game story is one of the main elements that blurs the line between the story as narrative and as game. |
8 | |
9 | @@>list examples@@ |
10 | |
11 | I don't know the word "list". |
12 | |
13 | @@>look examples@@ |
14 | |
15 | You see no examples! |
16 | |
17 | @@>get examples@@ |
18 | |
19 | [[YouCantGetYeFlask You can't get ye examples.]] |
20 | |
21 | @@>get fucking examples@@ |
22 | |
23 | [[VideoGame/{{Zork}} Such language!]] |
24 | |
25 | @@>help@@ |
26 | |
27 | It is probably better to ask a better parser, such as those used in the classic Creator/{{Infocom}} InteractiveFiction games and the later works created by hobbyists. |
28 | |
29 | @@>find examples@@ |
30 | |
31 | Perhaps you should ask a troper. |
32 | |
33 | @@>ask Website/TVTropes about examples@@ |
34 | |
35 | [[SelfDemonstratingArticle You're reading one right now.]] More examples aren't really necessary, because the point has been made. How well a text parser responds to your input depends on how well it's designed, and what commands the author of the game has [[DevelopersForesight anticipated]]. Clever enough authors will code in all sorts of [[EasterEgg clever responses to strange things you might try]], and will make sure every reasonable synonym is included so you won't have too much trouble [[YouCantGetYeFlask guessing the verb]]. |
36 | |
37 | One example that ''does'' bear mentioning (if only for its odd aversion of 'guess the verb' syndrome) occurred in Al Lowe's ''Leisure Suit Larry 2'': not long after the game's release, it was discovered that at a certain point (and ''only'' at that specific point), an error made during the testing phase had caused the parser to ''only'' recognized the plot-important command if it was written in ''full and complete English''. |
38 | |
39 | @@>ask Website/TVTropes about text parser history@@ |
40 | |
41 | The text parser really got started with Crowther and Wood's ''VideoGame/ColossalCaveAdventure'', but it was not until ''VideoGame/{{Zork}}'' came along that more advanced forms of the parser came along. The parser used in the classic Creator/{{Infocom}} games was called ZIL (VideoGame/{{Zork}} Interactive Language). The text parser gradually disappeared from commercial computer gaming in the early 1990s (replaced by ActionBar and [[PointAndClickGame Point and Click]] interfaces) as game designers wished to reach a different demographic. Fortunately for text fans, a large number of hobbyists have continued to design text parser based InteractiveFiction. If you'd like to know more, check out the InteractiveFiction article here on Website/TVTropes. |
42 | |
43 | @@>leave page@@ |
44 | |
45 | Towards where? |
46 | |
47 | @@>south@@ |
48 | |
49 | You head south only to tumble helplessly into [[Film/TheBeastFromTwentyThousandFathoms an oddly-placed sinkhole]]. The concussion you suffered on impact proves fatal. Your final thoughts as you breathe your last are filled with nothing but regret [[JustForFun/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife for spending your last moments on this website]]. |
50 | |
51 | @@Play again? [[TextParser Y]]/[[HomePage N]]@@ |
52 | |
53 | See also {{MUCK}}, multi-user text-oriented games that emphasize role-playing and player intervention. |
54 | |
55 | ! Please do not add examples to work pages; this merely [[Administrivia/DefinitionOnlyPages defines the term]]. |
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