TADS
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 provides a game-world model, conversation system and parser with about 150 predefined verbs. TADS compiles games into portable byte code for systems with a TADS interpreter. 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 technologies such as JavaScript, CSS, DOM, Ajax and HTML 5; the standard library also supports multiple players in 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 authoring environment is available only on Windows. TADS is free software with published source code, and authors may distribute or sell their games. The downloads page identifies version 3.1.3 as current.
For and against
For
- Free software with published source code.
- Adv3 includes a parser with about 150 predefined verbs.
- Compiles games to portable byte code.
- Multimedia interpreters support graphics, audio and formatted text.
- Authors may distribute or sell their games.
Against
- Graphical Workbench is available only on Windows.
- No dedicated technical support department.
- Current release listed as version 3.1.3.
The verdict
TADS provides a language, library and multimedia interpreter support for interactive fiction, with command-line tools across platforms. Windows Workbench is the graphical authoring option, and questions are directed to the interactive fiction community forum.
Who it suits
TADS suits authors creating interactive fiction who want a language-based authoring system and a game-world library. Windows users can also use its graphical Workbench; command-line tools are available across platforms.
Plans and prices
TADS
Free authoring system · no restrictions on games created
Read 7 Oct 2026 · tads.org
On the record
- Bug reports
- The TADS Bug Database is the recommended place to report software bugs.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Collaborative play
- The standard library supports multiple players connecting to and playing a Web game session together.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Command-line tools
- TADS command-line tools are available on all platforms, while Workbench's graphical authoring environment is available on Windows.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Language
- The TADS language resembles C, C++, Java, and JavaScript and includes runtime typing, closures, garbage collection, and multiple inheritance.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- TADS is free software with published source code, and authors may distribute or sell games made with it.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Multimedia
- TADS multimedia interpreters support graphics, animation, music, sound effects, hyperlinks, proportional fonts, and formatted text.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Object library
- The Adv3 library provides a game world model, conversation system, and parser with about 150 predefined verbs.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Portability
- TADS compiles games to portable byte code that runs on systems with a TADS interpreter.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TADS is a free authoring system for creating interactive fiction.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The downloads page identifies version 3.1.3 as the current TADS release.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site says TADS has no dedicated technical support department and directs users to the interactive fiction community forum for questions.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- 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.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Windows tools
- Windows Workbench combines editing, compiling, running, and debugging in one graphical environment.tads.org · read 7 Oct 2026
