articy:draft X
articy.com
What it is
articy:draft X is a narrative design and game writing tool for creating and managing interactive stories. Its visual Flow Editor lets writers build branching, non-linear stories and nested flows. A Game Object Database keeps entities, assets, and related project content together, while scripting uses variables, conditions, and instructions to shape choices and game flow. Localization tools track project languages and translation status, with spreadsheet import and export. Unity and Unreal integrations connect the tool to those game engines; JSON, Excel, Word, and XML exports are also available. Multi-user licenses provide simultaneous project access, version history, and SVN or Perforce support, but not Perforce Stream depots. The free edition supports unlimited projects, though a project locks after it passes 700 objects until content is removed or the project is upgraded. The free plan is free, with a free multi-user collaboration trial lasting 14 days, requested through sales. Single-user subscriptions cost €7.98 a month or €79.99 a year. It runs on Windows, macOS, self-hosted environments, and through an API.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- articy:draft X is a visual database and narrative design tool for organizing storylines, characters, variables and branching interactive content.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Purpose
- articy:draft X is a narrative design and game writing tool for creating and managing interactive stories.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Platforms
- The client supports Windows 10 and 11 64-bit and macOS 14 and 15; server and API programs support Windows and Windows Server.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Trial
- The free multi-user trial provides 14 days to test collaboration features and is requested through sales.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- API
- The .NET API can connect to articy:server, open projects and read or write project data through external programs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Integrations
- The product provides dedicated Unity and Unreal integrations, along with JSON, Excel, Word, and XML exports.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Support
- Support resources include downloads, a help center, tutorials, training and consulting, community links, and technical support.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Headquarters
- Bochum, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · articy.com
- AI data use
- Articy says it does not collect, analyze, or use project data to train AI tools; AI and voice features connect to third-party services under their terms.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- AI extensions
- AI extensions provide assisted preview images, dialogue and barks, and administrators can disable them in multi-user environments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- API capabilities
- API programs can query, create, modify, delete and export objects, automate builds, create reports and generate localization or voice-over data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- API distribution
- The API and Macro Development Kit are distributed as NuGet packages with automated project setup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- API documentation depth
- The programmer guide documents server login, project access, SQL-like queries, object creation, exports, logging, assemblies and sample C# programs across eight PDF pages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Collaboration
- Multi-user editions support simultaneous access, integrated SVN, external SVN or Perforce, rollback history, centralized licensing, change comments and Active Directory or LDAP synchronization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Company headquarters
- Articy identifies its main office as Bochum in Germany’s Ruhr district.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Company legal name
- The maker is Articy Software GmbH & Co. KG, registered in Bochum, Germany, with Carsten Schröder listed as CEO.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Document view
- The document view is a word-like editor that can convert screenplay-formatted text into visual flow.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Documentation and support
- The official tutorial library covers installation, UI, entities, flows, templates, scripting, localization, plugins, multi-user setup, Unity and Unreal importers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Exports and imports
- Supported transfers include JSON, XML, Excel, Word, XPS, Unity, Unreal, generic-engine export, Excel import and Final Draft import.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Flow editor
- The flow editor supports nonlinear stories, nested flows, drag-and-drop authoring, attachments and hyperlinks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Game object database
- Projects can centrally manage connected characters, items, spells, weapons, skills and other game objects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy-software.itch.io
- Hosted security
- For its optional hosting, Articy states that it uses certified EU data centers, SSL-secured client connections, per-client accounts, and daily external backups.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Licence model
- articy:draft X has subscription licensing and no perpetual licence; a licence can be active on one device at a time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Limit: Capterra learning curve
- That reviewer found the tutorials information-heavy and nesting confusing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
- Limit: Steam performance and cost
- Reviewers reported lag on lower-spec laptops and described older editions as expensive or restrictive for average users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Limit: Steam usability
- Steam complaints include clunky interface behavior, confusing large asset libraries, weak template customization and historically missing autosave.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Limits
- The free edition locks a project after it exceeds 700 objects until extra objects are removed or the project is upgraded.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Localization
- Localization includes project languages, state tracking, Excel import/export, voice-over workflows, reports and optional DeepL translation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Location editor
- A vector-based 2D location editor provides layers, drawing tools, backgrounds, text and map spots.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Praise: Capterra flow interface
- The sole Capterra reviewer praised intuitive drag-and-drop flow editing, branching, dialogue handling and Unity/Unreal export.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
- Praise: Steam organization
- Steam reviewers repeatedly praised the unified database, customizable templates, visual maps, journey flows and ability to handle complex narrative projects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
- Quality checks
- Presentation simulation, conflict search, localization checks, spellchecking, query search and property inspection are provided for pre-production validation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Query language documentation
- A 40-page reference documents SQL-like SELECT syntax, filtering, transformations, operators and object properties.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Rating on Capterra
- 5.0 out of 5 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
- Rating on Fab
- 3.4 out of 5 from 5 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · fab.com
- Rating on G2
- 0.0 out of 5 from 0 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Rating on GetApp
- 5.0 out of 5 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
- Rating on itch.io
- 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · articy-software.itch.io
- Rating on Steam
- 86% positive from 50 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · steamstat.io
- Rating on TrustRadius
- 8 out of 10 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
- Scripting
- Global variables, conditions and instructions can control story flow and player choices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy-software.itch.io
- Security statement
- Hosted environments use SSL connections, per-user project access, certified EU data centers and daily external backups.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Self-hosting
- Teams can run articy:server themselves on Windows Server, while Articy also offers hosted servers with integrated SVN.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Story design
- Its visual Flow Editor supports branching, non-linear stories and nested flows.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Story logic
- Scripting features use variables, conditions, and instructions to control choices and game flow.Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- System requirements
- The client supports 64-bit Windows 10/11 and macOS 14/15; server and API programs support Windows 10/11 and Windows Server 2019/2022, with internet required for licence validation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Template system
- Editable modular templates let teams define object properties and have objects inherit later template changes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Unity integration
- The Unity importer provides automatic data import, object/property access, customizable flow traversal, script evaluation, localization support and Unity components.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Unreal importer licence
- The Unreal integration code is described as open source and supports customization and pull requests.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Unreal integration
- The Unreal importer supports dialogue and entity import, Blueprints, automatic dialogue traversal, custom editor elements and Unreal localization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
- Voice-over integration
- The VO Extension connects to ElevenLabs for synthesized voices, in-project playback and prototyping delivery.Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
Plans and prices
articy:draft X FREE Free 700 objects per project · unlimited projects · use forever Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
articy:draft X FREE Free 700 objects per project · unlimited projects · use forever Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
articy:draft X Monthly subscription €6.99 a month per month unlimited objects · unlimited projects Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
Single User Monthly subscription €7.98 a month per month Unlimited objects · unlimited projects Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
Team bundles €56 a month starting at per month multi-user collaboration · Basic, Professional and Premium bundles Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
articy:draft X Annual subscription €69.99 a year per year unlimited objects · unlimited projects Read 15 Oct 2026 · articy.com
Single User Annual subscription €79.99 a year per year Unlimited objects · unlimited projects Read 3 Oct 2026 · articy.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Visual editor supports branching and nested flows
- Database keeps project entities and assets together
- Localization tools include spreadsheet import and export
- Unity and Unreal integrations are available
- Free plan allows unlimited projects
Limits
- Free projects lock after exceeding 700 objects
- Perforce Stream depots are unsupported
- Multi-user trial is limited to 14 days
- Trial requires a request through sales
Who it suits
It suits writers and game teams designing branching narratives, organizing game content, and managing localization. Multi-user access and engine integrations may suit collaborative projects using Unity or Unreal.
articy:draft X in depth
Read the full write-up
articy:draft X is a narrative design and game-writing environment for interactive stories that must remain connected to game data and production workflows. It is strongest for writers, designers, and teams building branching projects for Unity or Unreal, especially when localization and structured content management matter. The free edition is a credible way to begin, but object limits and the cost of scaling deserve attention.
Overview
articy:draft X brings story structure, project records, scripting logic, and translation management into one workspace. Its visual approach is aimed at projects more complex than a linear script: branching dialogue, non-linear progression, and nested flows can be arranged as an explicit design rather than scattered across documents. That makes it a better fit for game narratives with many states and dependencies than for a short, mostly linear script.
The product is made by Articy in Bochum, Germany. It supports individual work as well as multi-user projects, with optional hosting that uses certified EU data centers, SSL-secured client connections, separate client accounts, and daily external backups. Articy says project data is not collected, analyzed, or used to train AI tools; AI and voice features connect to third-party services under those services' terms.
Key features
Structure and logic
The Flow Editor handles branching stories, non-linear sequences, and nested flows. Variables, conditions, and instructions let choices react to game state and control progression, making the tool suitable for narrative systems rather than dialogue-only drafting.
A Game Object Database stores entities, assets, and related project material together. That shared data model can reduce the gap between narrative notes and the objects a game actually uses, particularly as a project expands.
Localization and production handoff
Localization tools track languages and translation status and exchange text through spreadsheet import and export. This is useful for teams that need a visible translation workflow instead of maintaining separate language files by hand.
Dedicated Unity and Unreal integrations connect the narrative project to those engines. JSON, Excel, Word, and XML exports provide additional routes for tools and collaborators that are not using those integrations.
Teamwork and extensibility
Multi-user licenses support simultaneous access, version history, and SVN or Perforce. Perforce Stream depots are unsupported, which is a material constraint for teams committed to that depot type. The.NET API allows external applications to read and write project data through articy:server, but API access is available for multi-user use.
A free multi-user trial lasts 14 days and is requested through sales. Support includes downloads, a help center, tutorials, training and consulting, community links, and technical support.
Pricing
Free
articy:draft X FREE: free, usable forever with unlimited projects and 700 objects per project. Once a project exceeds 700 objects, it is locked until objects are removed or the project is upgraded. This is well suited to learning, prototypes, and compact productions, but the ceiling can interrupt a growing project.
Single-user subscriptions
Single User Monthly subscription: €7.98 a month, billed monthly, with unlimited objects and unlimited projects. It is the flexible upgrade for an individual whose project has outgrown the free cap or whose workload changes from month to month.
Single User Annual subscription: €79.99 a year, billed annually, also with unlimited objects and unlimited projects. The annual term costs less than twelve monthly payments and fits a sustained individual project, provided you are comfortable with yearly billing.
Multi-user licensing and optional hosting are available, while the 14-day collaboration trial is arranged through sales. Choose the single-user plans when one person owns the work; teams needing simultaneous access, version history, or the API should evaluate multi-user terms instead.
Platforms
articy:draft X is available for Windows and macOS, with self-hosted and API options. Unity and Unreal are the named game-engine integrations. The combination suits teams that want desktop authoring with an engine handoff or a controlled server-based workflow.
Who it's for
This is a strong choice for game writers and narrative designers managing branching logic, reusable game data, and translation at the same time. Small teams can start free, while individuals with larger projects have clear unlimited-object subscriptions. Teams should consider multi-user licensing when concurrent editing and history are central to production.
It is less suitable when a project must stay below a simple writing tool's complexity, when a team relies on Perforce Stream depots, or when the 700-object free limit cannot be managed.
Pros and cons
Pros: Flow Editor supports branching, non-linear, and nested narrative structures.
Pros: Game Object Database, scripting logic, and localization status keep story production connected to project data.
Pros: Unity and Unreal integrations plus JSON, Excel, Word, and XML exports support varied handoffs.
Pros: Free use is permanent across unlimited projects, with inexpensive monthly and annual individual upgrades.
Cons: Free projects lock after 700 objects, forcing cleanup or an upgrade.
Cons: Perforce Stream depots are not supported.
Cons: API access is reserved for multi-user use, not the single-user subscriptions.
Alternatives
Game Narrative Design Software is the broader category to compare when you want to survey narrative tools before committing.
Ren'Py is a free, MIT-covered option for commercial or non-commercial use across desktop, mobile, and web platforms, better suited when you want an open scripting framework rather than articy:draft X's structured database and visual project management.
ChatMapper offers a free tier with one editor, three projects, and 300 nodes per project, so it fits smaller dialogue projects that can live within those quotas.
Naninovel is a paid tool with a free trial; consider it when its visual-novel-focused workflow is a closer match.
ink and Inky is free and MIT-licensed, including its Unity integration plugin, for a leaner open workflow.
Narrat is free and open source under the MIT License, with enterprise support available at custom pricing.
Yarn Spinner has a free, open-source tier with Unity, Godot, and Unreal integrations and a VS Code extension, making it a focused alternative for dialogue authoring.
Narratyr provides a free visual editor with an open document format for those who want a lightweight independent tool.
Inform 7 is free and open source, aimed at interactive-fiction development rather than a database-centered production suite.
Verdict
Choose articy:draft X when your interactive story needs explicit branching, game-object organization, scripting, localization tracking, and a dependable Unity or Unreal handoff. The permanent free tier lowers the entry cost, and unlimited-object individual subscriptions are straightforward. Look elsewhere if your project depends on Perforce Stream depots, needs API access without multi-user licensing, or cannot work within the free edition's 700-object boundary.
Verdict
articy:draft X combines story structure, project data, scripting, and localization in one tool. The free edition has a clear per-project object ceiling, while larger projects and collaboration may call for a paid option.
Where Specifiction places it
- Game Narrative Design Software#1 of 259.4
