iStory
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An iStory is an interactive text adventure displayed on an iPod using the Notes feature.
The original concept of the iStory was developed at iPodSoft. Programmer Nathan Esquenazi created the freeware program iStory Creator for Mac OS X and Windows. iStory Creator has now been succeeded by iWriter, the shareware version. The iStory medium as an art form was first accepted into reality by iStory Silver in December 2004, followed by MAD Studios in August 2005. In 2007, the short-lived iMag site, EOE Hideout, distributed "pseudo-iStorys, called iMags. It was shut down four months after its unveiling.
iStories is now a program especially created to allow multimedia story telling. Images, text, music and sounds can all be combined to create excellent online resources. [1]
There have been many other iStory sites too, and none have succeeded like MAD Studios.
iStories come in many genres, such as adventure, horror, combat, quiz games, or just simple fun. Anyone can make an iStory about anything, as long as they have a program like iWriter, iStory Creator or are familiar with the use of basic HTML coding.
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[edit] iStory Formats
iStories can be found in three main formats:
- .xsp: An .XSP file is an iStory that was created with iStory Creator, but can be played with or without iStory Creator.
- .xnp: A .XNP file is an iStory created with iWriter and can only be read with iWriter.
- text format: Text Format is the process of creating the HTML text files from scratch, using Notepad or another similar text editor and coding each file individually.
[edit] iMag
In September 2007, MAD Studios member, Ethan_odd, created a technology centered "iMag" (Interactive Magazine) with the title EOE (Ethan_Odd's Electronics), EOE was a "pseudo-iStory" and reviewed, and previewed different technology. It had an interview with MAD Studios member, Seraphrevan, on the new iStory creation software he was writing. No word if it is still in production or not.
On April 28, 2008, EOE was finally terminated. Even though the site is still up for old EOE downloads. No more have been made.
[edit] Programs
iStories are written with programs like iStory Creator or iWriter. iStory Creator is no longer available through its main site, iPodSoft, but the Windows version can still be downloaded at MAD Studios. iWriter can be downloaded as a 15-day trial version. iPodSoft no longer features iStories on its website.
A new iStory creation software is being developed by MAD Studios member, seraphrevan. The project goes by the codename, "Project Arcalius", named after one of seraphrevan's abandoned iStories. Details on what features the new software will contain have not been disclosed.
[edit] MAD Shut Down
As of May 18, 2008. iStory hosting site, MAD Studios, the #1 iStory distributor, has been shut down by its administrative figure.
[edit] Conclusion
Although iStories are not a new concept, as text choose-your-own-adventure (CYOA) games have existed in the past, due to iPodSoft's development of iStory Creator, and with the help of such sites as iStory Silver, iPod Arcade, MAD Studios, and iPodSoft the term iStory has become popular amongst many iPod users who enjoy this form of text entertainment.
Old EOE issues are still up for download at the website, EOE-Hideout
iStory Silver still hosts their old iStories for download, though new ones sent are no longer being added. [2] They are a good example of what has been achievable with this medium.
