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TADS

tads.org

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 7.6 #17 of 25 in Game Narrative Design Software

What it is

TADS is a free authoring system for creating interactive fiction. Its language resembles C, C++, Java and JavaScript, with runtime typing, closures, garbage collection and multiple inheritance. The Adv3 library supplies a game-world model, conversation system and parser with about 150 predefined verbs. TADS compiles games into portable byte code that runs on systems with a TADS interpreter.

Its multimedia interpreters support graphics, animation, music, sound effects, hyperlinks, proportional fonts and formatted text. Games built for Web Play can run in a browser using JavaScript, CSS, DOM, Ajax and HTML 5; the standard library also allows multiple players to join a Web game session. Command-line tools are available across platforms. Windows Workbench provides a graphical environment for editing, compiling, running and debugging, but that environment is only available on Windows. TADS lists Linux, macOS, web and Windows among its platforms. It is free software with published source code, and authors may distribute or sell games they make with it. The listed current release is version 3.1.3.

Spec sheet

Purpose
TADS is a free authoring system for creating interactive fiction.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Platforms
The download page lists authoring or interpreter options for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Unix systems.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Free plan
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · tads.org
Support
The site says TADS has no dedicated technical support department and directs users to the interactive fiction community forum for questions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Bug reports
The TADS Bug Database is the recommended place to report software bugs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Collaborative play
The standard library supports multiple players connecting to and playing a Web game session together.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Command-line tools
TADS command-line tools are available on all platforms, while Workbench's graphical authoring environment is available on Windows.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Language
The TADS language resembles C, C++, Java, and JavaScript and includes runtime typing, closures, garbage collection, and multiple inheritance.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Licensing
TADS is free software with published source code, and authors may distribute or sell games made with it.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Multimedia
TADS multimedia interpreters support graphics, animation, music, sound effects, hyperlinks, proportional fonts, and formatted text.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Object library
The Adv3 library provides a game world model, conversation system, and parser with about 150 predefined verbs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Portability
TADS compiles games to portable byte code that runs on systems with a TADS interpreter.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Release status
The downloads page identifies version 3.1.3 as the current TADS release.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Web play
Games specially built for Web Play can run in a browser and use browser technologies including JavaScript, CSS, DOM, Ajax, and HTML 5.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
Windows tools
Windows Workbench combines editing, compiling, running, and debugging in one graphical environment.Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org

Plans and prices

TADS Free Free software Free authoring system · no restrictions on games created Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org

Every TADS plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free software with published source code.
  • Portable byte code runs with a TADS interpreter.
  • Multimedia interpreters support graphics, sound and formatted text.
  • Web Play supports browser games and multiple players.
  • Authors may distribute or sell their games.

Limits

  • Workbench's graphical environment is Windows-only.
  • No dedicated technical support department.
  • The listed current release is version 3.1.3.

Who it suits

TADS suits interactive-fiction authors who want a programming-language-based authoring system and a supplied game-world library. Authors who need graphical editing and debugging should note that Workbench is available only on Windows.

Verdict

TADS offers a language, library and multimedia interpreter options for interactive-fiction projects, with portable output and browser-based play for specially built games. Its command-line tools cover the listed platforms, while graphical Workbench is limited to Windows.

Where Specifiction places it

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