Hello! This is a post for my 2019 work, which to the best of my knowledge, qualifies for a Nebula Award for Game Writing, a Hugo Award for Best Game or Interactive Experience, and possibly other awards (including the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, formerly Campbell). This year I actually only have one – but it’s a big one. (And a really cool thing for my first real eligible year, I think!)
DAWNFALL is a 235,000-word interactive fiction novel from Heart’s Choice/Choice of Games.
It’s a portal fantasy/sci-fi (very genre-blending) romance from HEART’S CHOICE, the new romance label from CHOICE OF GAMES, an amazing and SFWA-qualifying interactive fiction market. It is also extremely queer, trans, and polyamorous; you the player/reader can choose your own pronouns and gender, as well as romance up to five love interests of several genders, all at once – or be asexual and/or aromantic, and pursue all queerplatonic relationships, or a mix of whatever dynamics you want!
I can’t tell you how important it is for me to have at least one thing that lets me (a queer, trans, aspec, polyamorous writer) play as exactly who I am. Even if in this game’s universe, that is also a color-changing mood-ring space elf, or a giant magical bird person. (Maybe especially then.) DAWNFALL is a love letter to wild space magic, the limitless possibilities of a fantastic universe, dating hot aliens, and celebrating queer humans in all their wonderful diversity and beauty.
Here is the official publisher’s description (also below), and links. (The first 4 chapters are FREE TO PLAY/READ online, and the full version is also free the first read/playthrough, with small breaks.)
Thank you very much for your time and consideration, and if you read/play, I truly hope you enjoy.
SOME FUN LINKS:
Find true love and family with a pirate crew at the ends of the universe, where aliens, ghosts, and portals open the space between worlds…and your heart. You are a Navigator, one who creates and guards portals from one dimension to another, wary of the liminal sea between them.
Your universe is made of two worlds: one contains the magic-infused world of Zephyria, and the other, the dystopian space station Eclipse. The worlds are balanced, until one day, an explosive disaster, a deadly energy storm, and an infamous pirate—the Ghost Queen—upend your life and plunge you into a race to save both worlds.
Dawnfall is a 235,000-word interactive romance novel by RoAnna Sylver, where your choices control the story. It’s entirely text-based, without graphics or sound effects, and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power or your imagination.
So what happens when you find there’s not just two dimensions to save, but three? Is saving two worlds worth sacrificing one? Will you find love with the crew of the Dawnfall, or will you bring these pirates to justice? Are connections between universes, people, and lives meant to be forged and protected, or severed for the greater good?
Play as male, female, nonbinary, or agender; gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, or aromantic
Play as monogamous or polyamorous–romancing up to 5 crewmates at the same time!
Live your best life as a star-covered space elf, or as a feathered, magical bird-person
Face off against infamous pirate known as the Ghost Queen, or join her rebellious quest
Save not one, but three whole worlds; one built on magic, one on technology, and one on something entirely unknown…
Explore an ever-shifting, magical pirate ship
Open portals between dimensions with magic, technology, or the power of rock n’roll
Navigate your heart’s own course, and hope you can weather the storms.