Author Archives: Michael Hilborn

About Michael Hilborn

Michael D. Hilborn is a manager of web application development at Harvard University. He spends what little spare time he has devoted to games, movies, graphic novels, and books, specifically those of the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror ilk. He began playing (and writing) Interactive Fiction around the age of ten, which led to him participating in the Boston Interactive Fiction Community almost three decades later. He currently maintains their web site.

“Rogue of the Multiverse” by C.E.J. Pacian

Posted on 13/07/2011 by Michael Hilborn

C.E.J. Pacian’s “Rogue of the Multiverse“, a delightful blend of comedy and science-fiction, demonstrates how good writing, endearing characters, and the incorporation of various game genres can help a title overcome what the IF community might normally consider flaws in … Continue reading →

Posted in July 2011 | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Second Annual Boston IF Mini-Con

Posted on 06/04/2011 by Michael Hilborn

The Second Annual Boston Interactive Fiction Mini-Convention started on Thursday, March 11, and finished on Sunday, March 14. Held in parallel to PAX East 2011, a major gaming convention, the Second Annual Boston IF Mini-Con is actually the third IF … Continue reading →

Posted in April 2011 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl

Posted on 14/03/2011 by Michael Hilborn

The winners of the XYZZY awards, the Interactive Fiction community’s answer to the Grammys and Oscars, have been announced. A plethora of science fiction and fantasy titles are among the award recipients, chief among them Matt Wigdahl’s “Aotearoa”, a speculative fiction piece which also won the Interactive Fiction Competition last year. Continue reading →

Posted in March 2011 | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Warbler’s Nest by Jason McIntosh

Posted on 26/01/2011 by Michael Hilborn

“The Warbler’s Nest” is Jason McIntosh’s entry to the 2010 Interactive Fiction Competition. The game tied for ninth place in the competition, which surprised me, since I felt it was a better piece than several submitted works (at least, the … Continue reading →

Posted in January 2011 | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A Brief Introduction to Short-Form Interactive Fiction

Posted on 24/01/2011 by Michael Hilborn

Although part of computer culture since the mid-seventies, the genre of Interactive Fiction, commonly abbreviated IF, is often relatively new for avid readers of fiction. This may be because IF originated from a computer game and, quite frankly, many would … Continue reading →

Posted in January 2011 | Tagged , | Leave a comment