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Tech riderRev. 20 Sept 2026

Interactive Fiction Database

Ch 096.6of 14 Game Databases
  1. 1Runs onAPI, Web
  2. 2CostsNot stated by the maker
  3. 3API accessYes
  4. 4Supported platformsZ-machine, TADS, Hugo, executable applications
  5. 5Export formatsJSON, iFiction XML, SQL database exports
  6. 6Quest dataNo
  7. 7Character dataNo
  8. 8Item dataNo
7 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: ifdb.org
Visit site Alternatives
The Interactive Fiction Database homepage

Overview

Interactive Fiction Database is ranked #9 of 14 in game databases on Specifiction. It runs on API, Web.

Compared on game databases

Free plan
Yesifdb.org
API access
Yesifdb.org
Supported platforms
Z-machine, TADS, Hugo, executable applicationsifdb.org
Export formats
JSON, iFiction XML, SQL database exportsifdb.org
Quest data
Noifdb.org
Character data
Noifdb.org
Item data
Noifdb.org
Ability data
Noifdb.org

Facts

Purpose
IFDB is a community project that catalogs interactive fiction games and recommends games to players.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Collaborative catalog
Members can add and edit game listings, so updates and corrections do not have to wait for site administrators.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Recommendations
Members can find recommendations through personalized tools, Recommended Lists, polls, and reviews from reviewers they trust.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Play online
The Play Online button lets users start supported games in a web browser without downloading an interpreter.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Search
Search supports title, author, and description matching, plus structured filters such as genre, language, authoring system, format, rating, and publication date.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
API
IFDB provides HTTP APIs returning JSON for third-party web or client software, including APIs to search, retrieve game listings, edit tags, and publish listings from iFiction XML.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
API limits
The APIs are intended for low-volume, user-driven applications, and the site cautions against frequent crawling, high-speed mirroring, and other high-load use.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Data exports
Full SQL database exports excluding users’ personal information are available through the IF Archive and are updated roughly quarterly.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Privacy
Many features work without personal information; IFDB says it does not sell or commercially exploit registration information and does not share it except when legally compelled.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Cookies and logs
IFDB uses cookies only at the user’s request to keep them logged in, and says its cookies contain no password or other personal information; it says it does not attempt to identify visitors from IP addresses.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Community moderation
The Code of Conduct prohibits harassment, spam, malware, misleading links, and bad-faith ratings, and says moderators may remove ratings or reviews judged not to be in good faith.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Support
Users can contact the IFDB committee by email, report technical issues or suggest features through GitHub, and correct game listings themselves.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Operator
IFDB is maintained by the IFDB committee of the Interactive Fiction Technology Foundation and funded by supporters’ donations.ifdb.org · 4 Oct 2026
Catalog
Members can add game listings and edit existing entries to keep the catalog current.ifdb.org · 5 Oct 2026
Community features
The site includes reviews, ratings, polls, lists, competitions, and member profiles.ifdb.org · 5 Oct 2026
Play in browser
A game's “Play Online” button can launch it in a browser without requiring a download, when that option is available on its listing.ifdb.org · 5 Oct 2026
Integrations
The putific API accepts iFiction XML so authoring software can offer a “Publish to IFDB” feature.ifdb.org · 5 Oct 2026
Security
IFDB's policy prohibits circumventing passwords or other features that protect personal information and using exploits that may disrupt the site.ifdb.org · 5 Oct 2026
Content licensing
User-uploaded original material is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States, while cataloged games themselves are not hosted by IFDB.ifdb.org · 5 Oct 2026
Operator and funding
The Interactive Fiction Technology Foundation maintains IFDB, which is funded by donations from interactive fiction supporters.ifdb.org · 5 Oct 2026

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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