ink: A Narrative Scripting Language for Games
ink is a narrative scripting language used in game development. It's known for its ability to handle highly branching narratives, allowing for millions of words of interactive content. This article will explore ink's features, benefits, and how it's used.
Getting Started with ink
For beginners, Inky, a dedicated ink editor, is recommended. It allows for easy testing and playing of stories. A basic tutorial is available for those new to scripting, focusing on web-based story creation. More advanced users can refer to the writer's manual or the official user's guide for comprehensive information.
Key Features of ink
- Markup, not programming: ink prioritizes text, with code and logic seamlessly integrated.
- Simple syntax: The language is designed for ease of use, yet powerful enough for complex scripts.
- Middleware: ink is designed to integrate with various game engines.
Inky: The ink Editor
Inky offers several features to streamline the writing process:
- Real-time play: The editor refreshes automatically as you write.
- Error highlighting: Errors are identified as you type.
- Jump to definition: Easily navigate to different parts of the script.
- Export options: Export to JSON (ink's compiled format) or directly to web.
Game Engine Integration
ink integrates with popular game engines:
- Unity: The Unity plugin simplifies ink integration, offering automatic recompilation and a built-in previewer.
- Unreal Engine: Inkpot provides a container for ink integration within Unreal Engine.
Open Source and Community
ink, Inky, and the Unity plugin are open-source under the MIT license. Contributions are welcome through pull requests.
Sample Game: The Intercept
The Intercept is a game built to showcase ink and Unity integration. It demonstrates how to structure ink files and utilize the Unity plugin effectively.
Need Help?
Get support through the Discord server or the GitHub Discussions forum.
inklewriter vs. ink
While inklewriter is a user-friendly online tool for basic interactive stories, ink is a more powerful language primarily for professional game development. However, ink is also surprisingly easy to learn.
Converting inklewriter Stories to ink
An online tool is available to convert inklewriter stories to ink.
Support ink
Consider making a donation to support ink's continued development.
Contact
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