History of Interactive Stories

Long before the internet became our go-to source of entertainment with curated content from content creators, influencers, and celebrities, people had a peculiar style of engaging any audience. One of the most peculiar styles back in the day were interactive stories.

In interactive stories, the storyline is not only curated to engage the audience; it is also designed to leave the outcome of the story to the audience’s discretion. In other words, the audience dictates the progress of the story and its eventual conclusion.

This style of storytelling began in 1930. It had developed as a form of role-playing game. However, its structure and medium were not quite defined. These “gamebooks” were reinvented multiple times with different names between 1930 and 1970. They, however, only became popular in the 1970s, when they were reinvented in the U.S. and UK. Gamebooks became an international sensation in the 1990s, when millions of copies were published and distributed across the globe. 

Despite its resounding success in the 1990s, the gamebook market started to record a massive decline in sales in the early 2000s. This decline was traced to the launch of video and internet games. It was reported that a majority of gamebook lovers had ported to the more visual camp with the launch of exciting new video games. This put the creators of many popular gamebook series out of business.

In a bid to create some competition and retain their audience, gamebooks were revised to appeal to a new adult audience. Hence, the storylines, which used to be child-friendly, now included more mature, obscene, and gory themes. With contents like work, sex, and drugs, gamebooks became appealing to a new adult audience. 

In the last two decades, major gamebook companies have continued to churn out different themes and storylines that appeal to both a young and mature audience. This is perhaps the reason that gamebooks have survived this long.

Top 5 Interactive Stories 

The rise and continued survival of the gamebook market can be linked to specific book series. Some gamebook series single-handedly defined specific gamebook eras. The all-time top 5 gamebook stories are:

Choose Your Own Adventure Books (CYOA)

What is an interactive story without a reference CYOA? It is indisputable that CYOA was the first interactive story maker to sell millions of copies in several countries. The series was launched in 1979. It was initially called the “Adventures of You” series. CYOA was created by Edward Packard and originally published by Vermont Crossroads Press. It was the first gamebook series with an interactive storyline of improvisational activities and “choose-your-own-ending.” Popular gamebooks in this series include Space and Beyond, My Lady’s Choosing, Journey Under the Sea, The Cave of Time, and The Mystery of Maya.

Fighting Fantasy

This series was created by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. Its first volume was launched in 1982. Until the series was purchased by Wizard Books in 2002, its games were notable for having features of war and extraterrestrial beings. Under its producer, Penguin, the series reportedly sold about 15 million copies. Popular interactive story games from the Fighting Fantasy series include The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, House of Hell, Deathtrap Dungeon, City of Thieves, The Forest of Doom, Freeway Fighter, and The Legend of Zagor. These were the leading gamebooks back in the 1980s.

Give yourself goosebumps.

This series began solely as a spinoff from the original “Goosebumps” series in 1995. It was created by R. L. Stine. Between 1995 and 2005, the series released 50 gamebooks. Although the series was created for children, it was generally regarded as a frictional horror. It was customary for the series to never name its main character. The character is usually of ambiguous gender. This main character was often supported by another friendly character whose name and gender were given. The top gamebooks in this series include Escape from the Carnival of Horrors, Tick Tock, You’re Dead!, Trapped in Bat Wing Hall, The Deadly Experiments of Dr. Eeek, Night in Werewolf Woods, Beware of the Purple Peanut Butter, and Under the Magician’s Spell.

Lone Wolf Saga

This is one series that has stood the test of time. Since its launch in 1984, the series has published 31 gamebooks. The Lone Wolf Saga was created by Joe Dever. The series follows the life of Magnamund, the lone wolf, who lives between good and evil forces, battling to take control. Popular gamebooks in this series are Flight from the Dark, Fire on the Water, The Caverns of Kalte, The Chasm of Doom, Shadow on the Sand, and The Kingdoms of Terror.

Sorcery!

The series was initially titled Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! The interactive story meaning is not far-fetched. The series was written by Steve Jackson. The series was popular between 1983 and 1985. The storyline revolves around the fictional world of Titan and a lone hero who must retrieve the crown. Popular sorcery gamebooks are The Shamutanti Hills, Khare: Cityport of Traps, The Seven Serpents, and The Crown of Kings.

Creating Interactive Stories Nowadays: 

Thanks to the advancement in technology, interactive storytelling is much easier today than it was 50 years ago. While some may argue that the art and creativity of storytelling require as much skill today as they did 50 years ago, it’s important to recognize that tools like Talefy make conceptualization and documentation of storytelling possible within minutes.

Talify, as an AI interactive story generator, can simplify the traditional process of creating interactive stories. Many creators write without a plan for how the game is expected to unravel. Despite committed learning and practice, even the best creators can have trouble creating more interactive stories. With Talify, creators are only required to give prompts. These prompts are the guidelines for the AI interactive story generator to create various interactive stories with minimal effort from the creator or prompter.

Benefits of Interactive Story: Write what the benefits are compared to regular stories.

Since the 1980s, when interactive stories became a global sensation, people have had questions about the psychological and mental benefits of interactive stories. Now that interactive story AI games have become more visual with more exclusive and engaging themes, the questions have become even more persistent. So, what are the real benefits of an interactive story? And how are interactive stories better than regular stories?

Benefits of an Interactive Story for Children and Adults

Until the 2000s, gamebooks were designed for children. Today, however, interactive stories online have different themes that suit their initial underage audience and adults. Hence, the benefits of interactive stories differ for both groups.

Benefits of an Interactive Story for Children 

From the interactive pages of gamebooks, children can learn the following:

• Engagement: Interactive books can enchant young readers. This keeps their attention on the stories’ engaging features, textures, bright illustrations, and immersive storytelling.
• Creativity: Interactive books encourage children to make independent choices. This fosters creative thinking and imaginative exploration.
• Comprehension: Interactive elements, like decision-making scenarios, boost cognitive skills by prompting children to actively analyze the storyline. This real-time interaction deepens their immersion and enhances their comprehension of unfolding events.

• Inquisitiveness: Every interactive story website promotes active participation, further transforming a simple reading exercise into a learning experience that encourages children to ask questions and stay inquisitive. Active learning exercises create room for the active engagement of children rather than the passive absorption of information.
• Memory Retention: Interactive stories have multiple engaging features that enhance memory retention, thus making it easier for children to recall information. By actively participating in discussions, problem-solving, or hands-on activities, they become more invested in the storyline and remember its details.

Benefits of an Interactive Story for Adults 

Despite the adult fan base of many gamebooks, it could easily pass for a childish pastime. However, interactive stories have numerous benefits for adults. They include:

• Empathy and Social Skills: Interactive Engaging with characters and narratives in an interactive story can enhance empathy. As adults connect with the characters’ experiences and emotions, their brains release oxytocin, which is linked to empathy and social bonding. This is beneficial for understanding different human perspectives.
• Improved Cognitive Functions: Interactive storytelling can aid cognitive functions such as memory and critical thinking. By making decisions that affect the story’s direction, adults are encouraged to think critically and reflect on the consequences of their choices. This leads to better memory retention and cognitive flexibility.
• Stress Relief: Participating in interactive stories is a form of escapism. A break in one’s routine is a valuable tool for stress relief and emotional well-being. It’s also important to note that the playful nature of interactive stories taps into the innate human desire for play, which is essential for our emotional health.

Why Interactive Stories Are Better Than Regular Stories

The comparison between interactive stories and regular stories has been on for decades. However, here are some instances where interactive stories are better than regular stories. 

User Engagement

A key advantage of interactive stories is the choice they offer readers. Unlike traditional stories, interactive stories allow users to make decisions that shape the plot and outcome of the storytelling process.

Replayability

Interactive stories often include alternative endings based on user choices. This enhances the user’s storytelling experience and encourages replayability. Which makes each interaction unique.

Emotional Impact

By enabling users to make choices that impact the storyline, interactive stories evoke strong emotional responses. This personalization fosters a deeper connection to the characters and their journeys.