Before starting the IF game project, I had a basic understanding of IF as a format for storytelling, but I didn’t fully realize how impactful a few carefully crafted choices could be in pulling players into a narrative. Initially, I expected the project to feel similar to branching dialogues, but as I developed it, I found the experience surprisingly immersive and rewarding.
The core design of my IF centered on creating a dystopian world where the character finds personal freedom through cooking. The game’s core loop was designed to reflect the daily routine of the protagonist, capturing the repetition and small joys in cooking. Mechanics like chopping or choosing ingredients were low stakes fun intros into the freedom of cooking
One of the most fascinating aspects was seeing how players responded to this loop. Players leaned into the character’s desire for something different, which made each small cooking task feel like an act of defiance. Adding choices and interactive steps within the cooking process—like clicking to chop or waiting for a dish to bake—gave the experience a tactile feeling, turning each step into a small but meaningful ritual.
Watching others play the game was particularly insightful. I realized that every small detail—the pacing of information, background choices, and dialogue options—could significantly impact the experience. One tester reacted with surprise to the character’s backstory, saying, “I’m the villain?” It was moments like this that made me see how well players connect to personalized storytelling.
Reflecting on the project, I see IF as a powerful tool for world-building and character-driven experiences. Moving forward, I’d experiment with creating deeper decision consequences to further engage players and make the world feel even more alive. I’d also make the soundscape more complex and cohesive since sound is a large part of knowing when the cooking process is done.
