Hypertexts are one of the oldest and enduring forms of digital literature, dating from the 1st gen in 1987, to the explosion in indie games thanks to Twine. We chat about how hypertexts form the foundation of digital fiction, what role they play in culture, and we share some of our favorites.
Special shout out to Astrid Ensslin, Lyle’s co-writer on our chapter on the history of hypertext, “Hypertext: From Storyspace to Twine” in The Bloomsbury Handbook of Electronic Literature. Her research into hypertext forms the backbone of our knowledge in this area!
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Eastgate Systems
- Twine
- Anna Anthropy
- Electronic Literature Collections 1-3
- The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo by ztec
- Choice of Games
- Depression Quest by Zoe Quinn, Patrick Lindsey and Isaac Schankler
- Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off
- “What Hypertexts Can Do that Print Narratives Cannot” by Jane Yellowlees Douglas
- Base of the Comet by Andrea Corbin (rosencrantz)
- Wonderbox review
- Interactive Fiction Database
- 253 by Geoff Ryman (only accessible via Wayback Machine these days)
- 10:01 by Lance Olsen (requires Flash)
- Queers in Love at the End of the World by Anna Anthropy
- The Futographer by Lyle Skains (Twine version – ebook here)
- Cactus Blue Motel by Astrid Dalmady
- Opening Up Digital Fiction Competition 2017 Shortlist and Winners
- Wonderbox Reviews
This episode’s “Pick a Card” topic:
Many thanks to Bangor University’s School of Creative Studies & Media for use of their recording equipment and support of this podcast.Produced by Lyle Skains & Jordan Glendenning. Music from Kurt James Werner.
