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blog.digit.co

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Re: This Conversation Is Going Nowhere

#11

Post by ClassyJacket »

carussell wrote: post #6

I've thought for some time now that the real killer app for natural language assistants—especially voice activated assistants like Alexa, perhaps slightly less suited for text-based chatbots—lies in short, episodic, choose-your-own-adventure-style games. The more I think about it, the more I'm not really sure why this isn't a thing yet, and why we haven't seen a resurgence in the popularity of interactive fiction—alb…

This is exactly a project I've wanted to make for a few months now - I have some ideas outlined and notes written for a game like this. I just don't have time to build it, especially when it'll in all likelihood make me far less than minimum wage.

Re: This Conversation Is Going Nowhere

#12

Post by logfromblammo »

carussell wrote: post #6

I've thought for some time now that the real killer app for natural language assistants—especially voice activated assistants like Alexa, perhaps slightly less suited for text-based chatbots—lies in short, episodic, choose-your-own-adventure-style games. The more I think about it, the more I'm not really sure why this isn't a thing yet, and why we haven't seen a resurgence in the popularity of interactive fiction—alb…

That seems sort of like a bad idea. I'm imagining trying to solve the coin-weighing puzzle of Spellbreaker or the endgame of Spider and Web while driving, and even with a voice assistant, it ends up like this:

  Lake (sitting inside the car)
     You are floating on the surface of a beautiful lake.
  Someone has foolishly driven an automobile into it.

  > CAR, CALL 911
  The voice assistant cheerfully burbles, "You shout
  '911', but the interrogator is unimpressed by your
  outburst."  The floor upholstery is becoming
  distressingly damp.

  > CAR, QUIT GAME
  The voice assistant cheerfully burbles, "Autosaving...
  Exiting GrueFrotz..."  Cold water has risen to your
  ankles.

  > CAR, CALL 911
  The voice assistant cheerfully burbles, "Contacting
  Emergency Services!"  Lake water creeps up to your
  calves.

Re: This Conversation Is Going Nowhere

#13

Post by [deleted] »

sien wrote: post #10
carussell wrote: post #6

I've thought for some time now that the real killer app for natural language assistants—especially voice activated assistants like Alexa, perhaps slightly less suited for text-based chatbots—lies in short, episodic, choose-your-own-adventure-style games. The more I think about it, the more I'm not really sure why this isn't a thing yet, and why we haven't seen a resurgence in the popularity of interactive fiction—alb…

This is such a great idea. Apparently some exist: https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/2/27/14643756/text-adv...

[deleted]

Re: This Conversation Is Going Nowhere

#14

Post by carussell »

logfromblammo wrote: post #12
carussell wrote: post #6

I've thought for some time now that the real killer app for natural language assistants—especially voice activated assistants like Alexa, perhaps slightly less suited for text-based chatbots—lies in short, episodic, choose-your-own-adventure-style games. The more I think about it, the more I'm not really sure why this isn't a thing yet, and why we haven't seen a resurgence in the popularity of interactive fiction—alb…

That seems sort of like a bad idea. I'm imagining trying to solve the coin-weighing puzzle of Spellbreaker or the endgame of Spider and Web while driving, and even with a voice assistant, it ends up like this: Lake (sitting inside the car) You are floating on the surface of a beautiful lake. Someone has foolishly driven an automobile into it. > CAR, CALL 911 The voice assistant cheerfully burbles, "You shout '911', b…

I'm not trying to imply that any given game as it currently exists would be a suitable candidate for the format. In-game puzzles would obviously benefit greatly from consideration by the authors of the input method and player environment. Dense text descriptions and really tricky minigames ordinarily expected to be presented visually don't make a perfectly smooth transition for casual, voice-enabled play, the same way that traditional WIMP desktop apps don't make for good use on mobile touch devices.

Re: This Conversation Is Going Nowhere

#15

Post by djrogers »

As a digit user, this makes me kinda sad - I actually like the chat interface for basic stuff like checking my balances. Opening an app, logging in, and navigating a UI that may or may not changed since I last used it is far more friction than typing ‘balance’ into iMessage...

Re: This Conversation Is Going Nowhere

#16

Post by sago »

carussell wrote: post #6

I've thought for some time now that the real killer app for natural language assistants—especially voice activated assistants like Alexa, perhaps slightly less suited for text-based chatbots—lies in short, episodic, choose-your-own-adventure-style games. The more I think about it, the more I'm not really sure why this isn't a thing yet, and why we haven't seen a resurgence in the popularity of interactive fiction—alb…

There are lots of these. In fact, Amazon even has a tool for creating your own.

As for regular CYOA interactive fiction, there are lots, And lots of tools for making them. Even start-ups promoting them. But so far there is no long-tail. And outside one or two successes (like "80 days" on iOS), players don't seem to be flocking to it.

It's easy to say 'it will be huge', but it it doesn't seem to be even the most popular form of a Alexa skill. Of course it only needs one big success to make it look inevitable, but so far, colour me sceptical.

Re: This Conversation Is Going Nowhere

#17

Post by [deleted] »

Cyberdog wrote: post #7

Dear people who have product blogs like this: Please put a global header on your blog that says "X is a Y that does Z." In this case, "Digit is a service that helps you automatically save money based on your income and spending." That way, we get some much-needed context when we stumble across your blog articles talking about what you've learned by building and selling your product.

[deleted]

Re: This Conversation Is Going Nowhere

#19

Post by beams_of_light »

Cyberdog wrote: post #7

Dear people who have product blogs like this: Please put a global header on your blog that says "X is a Y that does Z." In this case, "Digit is a service that helps you automatically save money based on your income and spending." That way, we get some much-needed context when we stumble across your blog articles talking about what you've learned by building and selling your product.

Virtually every HN article would benefit from these descriptors as well.

Re: This Conversation Is Going Nowhere

#20

Post by opportune »

beams_of_light wrote: post #19
Cyberdog wrote: post #7

Dear people who have product blogs like this: Please put a global header on your blog that says "X is a Y that does Z." In this case, "Digit is a service that helps you automatically save money based on your income and spending." That way, we get some much-needed context when we stumble across your blog articles talking about what you've learned by building and selling your product.

Virtually every HN article would benefit from these descriptors as well.

Especially Show HN. Perhaps I shouldn't be too harsh as I've never personally released a product before, but over half of Show HN's leave me asking the question "what is the actual product" and even more "what is the utility of this product."
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