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From: erkyrath@netcom.com (Andrew Plotkin)
Subject: Re: First person, past tense
Message-ID: <erkyrathE1so71.JAq@netcom.com>
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Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 16:23:24 GMT
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Erik Hetzner (egh@raisin.bagel.org) wrote:
>  At the moment, my next (first, hopefully not final :) piece of
> interactive fiction is to be written in the first person, past
> tense. I've modified about half of the library message & am working on
> trying to make sure all the copy is in past tense and first person
> (hard to do when I'm so used to `You take the gun' instead of `I took
> the gun.').
>  
> Anyways, I seem to recall some piece that used this technique. 

"pastense.zip", in the TADS directory. (Past tense, second person.)

> What do
> people think of it, in theory or in practice? I sort of like the idea,
> kind of closes the gap between player and character. Also makes for
> more of a traditional story.

I find that it actually widens the gap between player and character. 
Sorry :-)

Past Tense lets you switch between past and present. I tried both, left 
it in present.

Note that "Piece of Mind" in the competition is first person and fools 
around with tense, but it has a specific purpose for it: the player is 
*supposed* to be different from the game character.

> Unless I get terrible response, and I mean it would have to be
> TERRIBLE :), I'm going to ahead & write it like this, let people
> decide by playing

Oh, definitely.

--Z

-- 

"And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these were the
borogoves..."
