Interactive Fiction Database
Interactive Fiction Database: A free, community-maintained database for discovering and working with interactive fiction. Ranked #8 of 14 in Game Databases by our editors (7.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for interactive-fiction catalogs and data exports.
At a glance
- Editor score7.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forInteractive-fiction catalogs and data exports
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- API accessYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free catalog with community editing, ratings, reviews, and lists
- HTTP APIs return JSON or iFiction XML for application access
- Periodic SQL exports support local analysis of catalog data
Where it doesn't
- Catalogs metadata and links rather than storing the games themselves
- API access is intended for low-volume, user-driven applications
- Its scope is specialized to interactive fiction and text adventures
Our verdict on Interactive Fiction Database
Interactive Fiction Database (IFDB) is a community-maintained catalog for interactive-fiction and text-adventure games. It suits players who want searchable listings, ratings, member reviews, recommendations, polls, competitions, and user-created lists. Visitors can browse without registration, while registered members can edit listings, post reviews, and create lists. Browser-based online-play links are available for supported games, covering formats and platforms such as Z-machine, TADS, Hugo, and executable applications.
IFDB’s strongest fit is its combination of discovery tools and structured access. Personalized recommendations and recommended lists support browsing, while ratings and reviews add community context to catalog entries. The database also provides documented HTTP APIs for search and game-listing retrieval, with responses in JSON or iFiction XML. Periodic SQL database exports extend the product beyond browser use, giving users a way to perform local analysis of the catalog. The API and export options make IFDB relevant to developers and researchers working with interactive-fiction metadata, not only to readers looking for their next game.
The product remains focused on cataloging rather than game hosting. IFDB provides metadata and links, including online-play links where supported, but it does not store the games themselves. Its APIs are intended for low-volume, user-driven applications, and API availability may change, so it is better suited to modest integrations than to applications requiring guaranteed, high-volume access. Choose IFDB for a free interactive-fiction reference, community catalog, recommendation source, or exportable dataset. Choose another option if you need quest, character, item, or ability data, or a broader game database spanning categories beyond interactive fiction.
Your product? Our editors can test Interactive Fiction Database in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Interactive Fiction Database pricing
Interactive Fiction Database fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| API access | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Z-machine, TADS, Hugo, executable applications |
| Export formats | JSON, iFiction XML, SQL database exports |
| Quest data | No |
| Character data | No |
| Item data | No |
| Ability data | No |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | ifdb.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Interactive Fiction Database
- MobyGamesA broad game catalog with platform records, research tools, exports, and API access.9.4
- RAWGA broad game-data API with strong free access and a $149 monthly Business tier.9.2
- IGDBFree structured game data for browsing, research, and API-powered applications.9.1
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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