New Features on IFDB

This is a summary of recent additions and changes to the site. The list isn't comprehensive - we report only the more visible and significant changes, so you might notice some minor changes from time to time that aren't reported here.

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1 February 2024

The 2023 IFDB Awards are open!: The 2023 IFDB Awards are open from Feb 1 to Feb 17! The rules for the competition can be found here, and a list of all categories can be found here.

List of Categories in the 2023 IFDB Awards: Overall Categories

Outstanding Game of the Year 2023

Author’s Choice for Best Game of 2023

Outstanding Debut 2023

Outstanding Game over 2 hours in 2023

Outstanding Short Game of 2023

Outstanding Underappreciated Game of 2023

Most Sequel-worthy game of 2023

Trailblazer Award of 2023

Outstanding Worldbuilding of 2023

Outstanding Use of Interactivity in 2023

Outstanding Retro Game of 2023

Language Categories

Outstanding German Game of 2023

Outstanding Spanish Game of 2023

Outstanding French Game of 2023

Genre Categories

Outstanding Children’s Game of 2023

Outstanding Fantasy Game of 2023

Outstanding Educational Game of 2023

Outstanding Historical Game of 2023

Outstanding Horror Game of 2023

Outstanding Humor Game of 2023

Outstanding Mystery Game of 2023

Outstanding RPG of 2023

Outstanding Romance Game of 2023

Outstanding Science Fiction Game of 2023

Outstanding Slice of Life Game of 2023

Outstanding Surreal Game of 2023

System Categories

Outstanding Inform 7 Game of 2023

Outstanding Twine Game of 2023

Outstanding Ink Game of 2023

Outstanding Choicescript Game of 2023

Outstanding Inform 6 Game of 2023

Outstanding PunyInform Game of 2023

Outstanding Game in a Custom System of 2023

Outstanding Moiki Game of 2023

Outstanding Ren’py Game of 2023

Outstanding Adventuron Game of 2023

Outstanding Unity Game of 2023

Outstanding Bitsy Game of 2023

Outstanding Texture Game of 2023

Outstanding Gruescript Game of 2023

Outstanding TADS Game of 2023

Outstanding ADRIFT Game of 2023

Outstanding Decker Game of 2023

Outstanding Game in an Uncommon System of 2023

Rules for 2023 IFDB Awards: The IFDB Awards is an annual competition designed to award excellence in creating interactive fiction.It is held from February 1st to the first weekend after February 15th each year on the Interactive Fiction Database, and take the form of polls.

Votes are public but anonymized. Every IFDB member is eligible to vote, except for one special poll, the Author’s Choice Poll. Eligibility to vote in the Author’s Choice competition is determined by having a game linked to your IFDB profile (this can be found by editing a game page and use the ‘Link to Author’s Profile’ feature. Authors added incorrectly to a game will not be permitted to vote (for instance, if someone associates a random game they didn’t make to their account).

Rules for discussion and voting
-Voting must be in good faith and be based on personal experience with the games involved.
-Campaigning or organizing voting is not allowed if it breaks the above rule.
-Discussion of games on merit is allowed and encouraged.
-There is no hard limit on how many votes a person can cast in each poll for different games. A player voting for so many games that it makes voting difficult for others (such as voting for every game from the whole year) may have their votes removed, but only after warning.
-Author cannot vote for their own games. Such votes will be removed so that the running tallies are correct. Authors can post about their own games (for instance on intfiction) as long as doesn’t encourage people to break the rules (such as telling people to vote for your game even if they haven’t played it).

Code of conduct

-Voters must abide by the IFDB Code of Conduct. Harassment of other voters (including on other platforms) and creating multiple accounts for one person are prohibited.

Moderation -Votes that are cast incorrectly (for instance, voting for a Twine game in a Choicescript poll) or fraudulently (for instance, using sockpuppet accounts) may be removed.

Eligibility
-For most polls, games are eligible if they are listed on IFDB and have a publication date during 2023.
-For system-specific polls, games additionally must have the appropriate system or genre listed on their IFDB page under the specified field.
-Each poll will have a link to an IFDB search listing suggested games. Outside of system-based polls, users can vote for any game they feel fits the criteria.
-Any IFDB user can edit game pages to confirm eligibility. However, malicious editing (such as adding every genre to a game or adding incorrect systems to a game) will be reverted or removed.
-Any game author can opt out of the competition. Adding a note to the game page during the competition may be helpful to let others know not to vote for it, but opting out should be officially done by messaging the organizer (me, for now).

Results
-Results will be clearly visible throughout the poll. However, there will be a grace period of up to 3 days at the end to allow checking of votes before the official announcements, which will be made on Intfiction and IFDB.
-Polls with very low traffic will not have a winner awarded. This is left up to organizer discretion, but low traffic may include less than 5 votes for the winning game or less than ten votes total cast.

Future of Awards

One of the main purposes of these new awards is to be community-owned and regular. They need to keep working even if I don’t keep working.

The awards begin on February 1st of each year. If Feb 1st passes without the current organizer having created the polls, anyone can create the polls themselves.

The community can propose new changes to awards or new organizers via public discussion. A public yes/no poll on intfiction with more than 50% voting yes can be used to add new organizers. Current organizers can also add in other organizers or successors, subject to a public veto.

4 January 2024

Database performance improvements: Over the past few days, we've rolled out a number of database performance improvements. The site should load faster now, especially on the home page, game listings, searches, and user profiles. More details on the performance improvements are available on the intfiction.org forum.

6 September 2023

New this week: The team has been hard at work on improvements to IFDB.

Search by days: published:30d- searches for games published within the last 30 days. published:90d-30d searches for games published within the last 90 days, but more than 30 days ago.

Renamed “Downloads” to “External Links”: IFDB doesn’t store files, so we hope that by renaming this section, it will make it clearer what we do.

Made it easier to ask the moderation team to delete games: Now you can click “Delete This Page” on any game. We’ll ask you to give a reason why the game should be deleted, and IFDB will send an email to our team for review. (Our team is all volunteers, so please be patient!)

11 July 2023

Security Updates:

In a recent update to IFDB, we’ve added a Content Security Policy, designed to provide broad defenses against XSS attacks. https://github.com/iftechfoundation/ifdb/pull/242

The change required updates to almost every part of IFDB, and so it wouldn’t be totally shocking if we broke something while rolling it out.

If you see a new issue, we invite you to reply on the intfiction.org forum, or to file a bug in our suggestion tracker at https://github.com/iftechfoundation/ifdb-suggestion-tracker/issues.

18 February 2023

The 2022 IFDB Awards have now concluded: The 2022 IFDB Awards are now closed. Results are available here. Feedback can directed to this forum post. Thanks to all those who participated!

The 2022 IFDB Awards are in!:

Overall Categories

Outstanding Game of the Year - Player’s Choice

According to Cain, by Jim Nelson

Outstanding Game of the Year 2022 - Author’s Choice

The Spectators, by Amanda Walker

Outstanding Debut of 2022 - Player’s Choice - an IFDB Poll

No winner (4-way tie)

Outstanding Debut of 2022 - Author’s Choice

A Long Way to the Nearest Star, by SV Linwood

Outstanding Game over 2 hours in 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

According to Cain, by Jim Nelson

Outstanding Short Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Use Your Psychic Powers at Applebee’s, by Geoffrey Golden

Outstanding Short Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Esther’s, by Brad Buchanan and Alleson Buchanan

Outstanding Underappreciated Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Tie:

Quintessence, by Lapin Lunaire Games
Cannelé & Nomnom - Defective Agency, by Younès R. & Yazaleea

Outstanding Underappreciated Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Quintessence, by Lapin Lunaire Games

Most Sequel-worthy game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Lady Thalia and the Rose of Rocroi, by E. Joyce and N. Cormier

Most Sequel-worthy Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Custard & Mustard’s Big Adventure, by Christopher Merriner

Outstanding Feelies of 2022 - Player’s Choice
Tie:

The Last Christmas Present, by JG Heithcock
New Year’s Eve, 2019, by Autumn Chen

Outstanding Feelies of 2022 - Author’s Choice

New Year’s Eve, 2019, by Autumn Chen

Trailblazer Award of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Trigaea, by RynGM

Trailblazer Award of 2022 - Author’s Choice

A Chinese Room, by Milo van Mesdag

Outstanding Worldbuilding of 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

The Archivist and the Revolution, by Autumn Chen

Outstanding Use of Interactivity in 2022 - Player’s Choice

Cannelé & Nomnom - Defective Agency, by Younès R. & Yazaleea

Outstanding Use of Interactivity in 2022 - Author’s Choice

Fairest, by Amanda Walker

Outstanding Retro Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Alchemist’s Gold, by Garry Francis

Outstanding Retro Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

The Mystery of Markham Manor, by Edward P. Toovey

Language Based Polls

Outstanding German Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

Schief, by Olaf Nowacki

Outstanding Spanish Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

El Virulé, by paravaariar

Outstanding French Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

La Princesse spéculaire, by Nathanaël Marion

Outstanding French Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Une soirée costumée, by Julien Zamor

Genre Polls

Outstanding Fantasy Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

Fairest, by Amanda Walker

Outstanding Horror Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

Sweetpea, by Sophia de Augustine

Outstanding Humor Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Wry, by Olaf Nowacki

Outstanding Humor Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice
Tie:

Gent Stickman vs Evil Meat Hand, by AZ / ParserCommander
Wry, by Olaf Nowacki

Outstanding Mystery Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Things that Happened in Houghtonbridge, by Dee Cooke

Outstanding Mystery Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice
Tie:

Things that Happened in Houghtonbridge, by Dee Cooke
The Thirty Nine Steps, by Graham Walmsley

Outstanding Science Fiction Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

The Archivist and the Revolution, by Autumn Chen

Outstanding Slice of Life Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

New Year’s Eve, 2019, by Autumn Chen

Outstanding Surreal Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

The Impossible Stairs, by Mathbrush

Outstanding Surreal Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Nose Bleed, by Stanley W. Baxton

System-based polls

Outstanding Inform 7 Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

The Spectators, by Amanda Walker

Outstanding Inform 7 Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Of Their Shadows Deep, by Amanda Walker

Outstanding Inform 6 Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Alchemist’s Gold, by Garry Francis

Outstanding Inform 6 Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice
Tie

Alchemist’s Gold, by Garry Francis
Into The Sun, by Dark Star

Outstanding Adventuron Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

Things that Happened in Houghtonbridge, by Dee Cooke

Outstanding Twine Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

The Grown-Up Detective Agency, by Brendan Patrick

Outstanding Twine Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Computerfriend, by Kit Riemer

Outstanding Choicescript Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice
TIe:

The Passenger, by Jime Rolón
THROW. MARIA. OVERBOARD., by Travis Moy

Outstanding Choicescript Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

THROW. MARIA. OVERBOARD., by Travis Moy

Outstanding Adrift Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice
Tie:

Lost Coastlines, by William Dooling
The Euripides Enigma, by Larry Horsfield

Outstanding Adrift Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Lost Coastlines, by William Dooling

Outstanding Game in a Custom System in 2022 - Player’s Choice and Author’s Choice

Uncle Mortimer’s Secret, by Jim MacBrayne

Outstanding Game in an Uncommon System in 2022 - Player’s Choice

The Impossible Stairs, by Mathbrush

Outstanding Game in an Uncommon System in 2022 - Author’s Choice

The Archivist and the Revolution, by Autumn Chen

Outstanding PunyInform Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Alchemist’s Gold, by Garry Francis

Outstanding PunyInform Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Carpathian Vampire, by Garry Francis

Outstanding Ink Game of 2022 - Player’s Choice

Prism, by Eliot M.B. Howard

Outstanding Ink Game of 2022 - Author’s Choice

Use Your Psychic Powers at Applebee’s, by Geoffrey Golden

31 January 2023

The 2022 IFDB Awards are open!: The 2022 IFDB Awards are open from Feb 1 to Feb 17! The rules for the competition can be found here, and a list of all categories can be found here.

Categories for the 2022 IFDB Awards:

Overall Polls:

Outstanding Game of the Year - Player's Choice

Outstanding Game of the Year 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Debut of 2022 - Player's Choice - an IFDB Poll

Outstanding Debut of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Game over 2 hours in 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Game over 2 hours in 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Short Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Short Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Underappreciated Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Underappreciated Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Most Sequel-worthy game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Most Sequel-worthy Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Feelies of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Feelies of 2022 - Author's Choice

Trailblazer Award of 2022 - Player's Choice

Trailblazer Award of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Worldbuilding of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Worldbuilding of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Use of Interactivity in 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Use of Interactivity in 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Retro Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Retro Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Language-based Polls:

Outstanding German Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding German game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Spanish Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Spanish Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding French Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding French Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Genre Polls:

Outstanding Fantasy Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Fantasy Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Horror Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Horror Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Humor Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Humor Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Mystery Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Mystery Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Science Fiction Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Science Fiction Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Slice of Life Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Slice of Life Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Surreal Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Surreal Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

System-based Polls:

Outstanding Inform 7 Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Inform 7 Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Inform 6 Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Inform 6 Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Adventuron Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Adventuron Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Twine Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Twine Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Choicescript Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Choicescript Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Adrift Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Adrift Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Game in a Custom System in 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Game in a Custom System in 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Game in an Uncommon System in 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Game in an Uncommon System in 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding PunyInform Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding PunyInform Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Outstanding Ink Game of 2022 - Player's Choice

Outstanding Ink Game of 2022 - Author's Choice

Rules for the 2022 IFDB Awards:

The IFDB Awards is an annual competition designed to award excellence in creating interactive fiction.

It is held from February 1st to the first weekend after February 15th each year on the Interactive Fiction Database, and take the form of polls.
-The Player’s Choice competition is a set of open polls that anyone can participate in.
-The Author’s Choice competition is a set of closed polls that only published authors can participate in.
Votes in the Player’s Choice competition are public. Votes in the Author’s Choice competition are public but anonymized.

Eligibility to vote in the Author’s Choice competition is determined by having a game linked to your IFDB profile (this can be found by editing a game page and use the ‘Link to Author’s Profile’ feature. Authors added incorrectly to a game will not be permitted to vote (for instance, if someone associates a random game they didn’t make to their account).

Code of conduct

-Voters must abide by the IFDB Code of Conduct. Harassment of other voters (including on other platforms) and creating multiple accounts for one person are prohibited.

Moderation -Votes that are cast incorrectly (for instance, voting for a Twine game in a Choicescript poll) or fraudulently (for instance, using sockpuppet accounts) may be removed.

Eligibility -For most polls, games are eligible if they are listed on IFDB and have a publication date during 2022.
-For system- or genre-specific polls, games additionally must have the appropriate system or genre listed on their IFDB page under the specified field.
-Each poll will have a link to an IFDB search listing eligible games.
-Any IFDB user can edit game pages to confirm eligibility. However, malicious editing (such as adding every genre to a game or adding incorrect systems to a game) will be reverted or removed.
-Any game author can opt out of the competition. Adding a note to the game page during the competition may be helpful to let others know not to vote for it, but opting out should be officially done by messaging the organizer (me, for now).
-The organizer’s games are eligible for the player’s choice awards, but not the author’s choice awards.

Results -Results will be clearly visible throughout the poll. However, there will be a grace period of up to 3 days at the end to allow checking of votes before the official announcements, which will be made on Intfiction and IFDB.
-Polls with very low traffic will not have a winner awarded. This is left up to organizer discretion, but low traffic may include less than 5 votes for the winning game or less than ten votes total cast.

Future of Awards

One of the main purposes of these new awards is to be community-owned and regular. They need to keep working even if I don’t keep working.

The awards begin on February 1st of each year. If Feb 1st passes without the current organizer having created the polls, anyone can create the polls themselves.

24 January 2023

New this week: Improvements to IFDB Polls: The team has been hard at work on improvements to IFDB.

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