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The annual XYZZY Awards are here! The XYZZY Awards are given for the best works of interactive fiction released the previous year in a variety of categories (Best Writing, Best Puzzles, and so on).

Anyone can vote in the XYZZY awards; in this round, all games released in 2012 are eligible to become finalists. In the next round of voting, starting in April, the winners will be selected from the most popular finalists in each category.

Last year, there was quite a bit of controversy, as voters from the ChoiceScript community almost flooded the ballot box. The rules haven’t changed for this year, but the spirit of the rules are clear: please don’t vote in the XYZZY awards unless you’ve played at least a few games on the list, including games that aren’t written in ChoiceScript. If a bunch of ChoiceScript voters show up and vote in a bloc like last year, the competition organizers will discard offending votes without discussion.

It is against the rules to promote any specific game or platform if you discuss or link to the competition while it’s in progress.

Having said this, there are some fantastic games this year, including games written in ChoiceScript, Inform, Varytale, Twine, and StoryNexus, as well as nominees and winners of last year’s IFComp.

Click here to vote in the XYZZY Awards. May the best games win!

We’re proud to announce that Life of a Wizard, the latest in our Hosted Games label of multiple-choice interactive-fiction games, is now available for iOS, Android, and, via the Chrome Web Store, Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Write an archmage’s autobiography in this 80-year 130,000-word interactive fiction. Play good or evil, man or woman, as you bring peace to the kingdom or take over the world with your sorcery. Brew potions, raise the dead, summon mythical beasts, control men’s minds, and blast away your enemies.

“Life of a Wizard” is an epic interactive novel by Mike Walter where you control the main character. In each chapter, your choices determine how the story proceeds.

Will you find romance, get married, or have children? Will you become the arch-mage, grand bishop, nature-loving druid, hardened battle-mage or even an undead lich? The choice is yours!

We hope you enjoy playing Life of a Wizard. We encourage you to tell your friends about it, and recommend the game on StumbleUpon, Facebook, Twitter, and other sites. Don’t forget: our initial download rate determines our ranking on the App Store. Basically, the more times you download in the first week, the better we’ll rank.

We’re proud to announce that Choice of Kung Fu, the latest in our popular line of multiple-choice interactive-fiction games, is now available for iOS, Android, and, via the Chrome Web Store, Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Become the greatest fighter the world has ever known, harnessing the power of chi to manipulate the energies of the universe. Defeat rivals, find romance, and rise to become the Imperial Champion. Win the right to question the immortal Dragon Sage, who speaks just once every hundred years!

Choice of Kung Fu is a fast-paced interactive fantasy novel where your choices determine how the story proceeds. The game is entirely text-based–without graphics or sound effects–but powered by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

The fate of the Middle Kingdom depends on you! Will you play as male or female? Gay or straight? Will you battle against foreign invaders, or will you rise up against the Emperor? What question will you ask the Dragon Sage, the wisest of all creatures?

We hope you enjoy playing Choice of Kung Fu. We encourage you to tell your friends about it, and recommend the game on StumbleUpon, Facebook, Twitter, and other sites. Don’t forget: our initial download rate determines our ranking on the App Store. Basically, the more times you download in the first week, the better we’ll rank.

We’re proud to announce that The Fleet, the latest in our popular “Choice of Games” line of multiple-choice interactive-fiction games, is now available for iOS, Android, and, via the Chrome Web Store, Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Take back your home world from alien invaders! Forge an Intergalactic Alliance (with untrustworthy allies) to reclaim your planet; blast your way to victory with an ever-expanding arsenal. Will you sacrifice civilian lives to exact vengeance on your enemies?

The Fleet is a thrilling interactive science-fiction novel where your choices determine how the story proceeds. The game is entirely text-based–without graphics or sound effects–but powered by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

Will you return home as a military dictator, a prisoner of war, or the president of a puppet state? Will you even recognize home when you get there?

We hope you enjoy playing The Fleet. We encourage you to tell your friends about it, and recommend the game on StumbleUpon, Facebook, Twitter, and other sites. Don’t forget: our initial download rate determines our ranking on the App Store. Basically, the more times you download in the first week, the better our games will rank.

Mark your calendars! “The Fleet,” the newest game under our “Choice of Games” label, will be released on Friday, November 30th. Download it on Friday from the iOS App Store, the Android Google Play Store, or the Chrome Web Store. A free trial version will be available on our website.

Take back your home world from alien invaders! Forge an Intergalactic Alliance (with untrustworthy allies) to reclaim your planet; blast your way to victory with an ever-expanding arsenal. Will you sacrifice civilian lives to exact vengeance on your enemies? Will you return home as the president of a puppet state, a prisoner of war, or a military dictator? Will you even recognize home when you get there?

If you’d like to be reminded when the game is available, subscribe to our blog on the right-hand side of this page, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+. We’ll run one more blog post on Friday to post download links.

To celebrate Halloween, we’re thrilled to announce that Zombie Exodus Part IV: Survival is now available to download on iOS, Android, and the Chrome Web Store for Windows, OS X, and Linux. Zombie Exodus won the XYZZY 2011 Special Recognition award for interactive fiction; Jim Dattilo has continued to develop and expand his game, incorporating extensive feedback from the Choice of Games community.

To play Part IV, you will need to update to the latest version of Zombie Exodus (version 2.0.0); you can purchase it as an in-app purchase at the end of Part III or at the very start of the game.

In addition, we’re running a sale on Choice of Zombies and Eerie Estate Agent until November 4th. This week only, pick up both games for only $0.99 each on iOS and Android.

Lastly, if you live in the Bay Area, don’t forget the Vampire: the Masquerade LARP we’ll be running at ConVolution this Friday! (It’s a very big week for us.)

We’re proud to announce that To the City of the Clouds, the latest in our popular “Choice of Games” line of multiple-choice interactive-fiction games, is now available for iOS, Android, and, via the Chrome Web Store, Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Search for the lost Incan city known as La Ciudad de las Nubes in the mountains of Colombia. Your fledgling archaeologist will battle venomous pit vipers, tropical diseases, and the FARC guerrilla army to secure fame, fortune, and tenure at a prestigious university. Alcohol, lustful young students, and Incan spirits delight and bedevil you along the way.

“To the City of the Clouds” is a thrilling interactive adventure novel where your choices determine how the story proceeds. The game is entirely text-based–without graphics or sound effects–but powered by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

Choose your persona, your sexual orientation, and your propensity to wear khaki native huipiles…then let the adventure begin!

We hope you enjoy playing To the City of the Clouds. We encourage you to tell your friends about it, and recommend the game on StumbleUpon, Facebook, Twitter, and other sites. Don’t forget: our initial download rate determines our ranking on the App Store. Basically, the more times you download in the first week, the better our games will rank.

Mark your calendars! “To the City of the Clouds,” the newest game under our “Choice of Games” label, will be released on Friday, October 26. Download it on Friday from the iOS App Store, the Android Google Play Store, or the Chrome Web Store. A free trial version will be available on our website.

Search for the lost Incan city known as La Ciudad de las Nubes in the mountains of Colombia. Your fledgling archaeologist will battle venomous pit vipers, tropical diseases, and the FARC guerrilla army to secure fame, fortune, and tenure at a prestigious university. Alcohol, lustful young students, and Incan spirits delight and bedevil you along the way. Choose your persona, your sexual orientation, and your propensity to wear khaki native huipiles…then let the adventure begin!

If you’d like to be reminded when the game is available, subscribe to our blog on the right-hand side of this page, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+. We’ll run one more blog post on Friday to post download links.

In the meantime, we’re running a countdown on Twitter/Facebook/G+, featuring quotes from the game.

• Monday: “Who says technical socks can’t be sexy? Black with silk ribbing at the ankle—yes please!”
• Tuesday: “The whip has multiple uses. Sado-masochistic lovers? Jungle cats? You’ve got it covered.”

This is a little off-topic, but Dan, Adam & I will be running a Vampire: the Masquerade LARP at ConVolution in Burlingame, CA (just south of San Francisco) on November 2nd.

Dan & I wrote this one-shot game in 1999, and many of the people who played in it–to this day–maintain it was the best gaming experience they’ve ever had.

If you’re anywhere in the area, you should come out and join us! Make sure to sign up through the ConVolution website, and then drop us a note so we can get the casting done ahead of time.

We’re proud to announce that Choice of the Star Captain, the latest in our popular line of multiple-choice interactive-fiction games, is now available for Kindle, iOS, Android, and, via the Chrome Web Store, Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Fight on the front lines of the war between humanity and the hideous Blobs. (Not that anyone has actually seen a Blob up close, but everyone knows they have tentacles. Surely they’re hideous!) Go on stealth missions, run alien blockades, and investigate mysterious planets, “aided” by Lloyd, your insufferably obnoxious shipboard computer.

Choice of the Star Captain is a hilarious interactive science-fiction novel where your choices determine how the story proceeds. The game is entirely text-based–without graphics or sound effects–but powered by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

“I set out to write a rollicking and ridiculous space adventure,” said Dorian Hart, author of Choice of the Star Captain. “My hope is that my readers will laugh out loud several times per minute–because the story is funny, of course, and not due to some unfortunate medical condition.” Dorian’s design credits include BioShock, Freedom Force and System Shock 2, among others.

Humanity needs you, Star Captain! Will you defeat the Blobs and come home as a war hero? Will you uncover the secret that sparked the Blob invasion? Will you serve as ambassador and convince the Blobs to spare the human race? The choice is yours.

We hope you enjoy playing Choice of the Star Captain. We encourage you to tell your friends about it, and recommend the game on StumbleUpon, Facebook, Twitter, and other sites. Don’t forget: our initial download rate determines our ranking on the App Store. Basically, the more times you download in the first week, the better we’ll rank.