I'm going to need some beta testers...
 

...and some creative help, for a Foster's game my brother ("Government Man" here on this forum) and I are creating right now. It's not a graphic game, like an RPG or whatever, but rather a text adventure, like the old Infocom games (Zork and the like). I'm doing all the writing and my brother's doing the programming. We plan to have it playable directly though fosters-home.com (being savable and everything). There isn't anything to beta test yet, but I can always use people to bounce ideas off of. I don't need a ton of people, so don't volunteer just for the heck of it. What I need is not only people to physically play the game and look for errors (and judge its playability etc) but also people who can help with say, character dialogue, to make sure everyone sounds in-character. If you aren't familiar with text adventures, that doesn't mean I don't want your help, because I want the game to appeal even to people who have never played one before.

Here is the Wiki entry on text adventures, or "interactive fiction"

I have created a hidden sub-board on the forum for my beta testers, and I expect everyone who volunteers to participate in the discussions there. Please don't volunteer just so you can have access to the board. We aren't going to use it to chat or gossip, and post counts have been disabled on it. I probably won't be taking more than a half-dozen people, so don't feel bad if I turn you down. I really need creative people to help me with ideas, but I am not looking for people to actually *write* for the game (other than, again, possibly rewriting some dialogue) - but if you help, yes you will get credit!

I also expect anyone I bring on to be good at keeping secrets! I shall be upset if anyone spills game info before its released, and/or innappropriately drops spoilers on solving puzzles.

Ooh, neat. I'll consider testing it. :)

Count me in!

"Ideas" is my middle name.. okay not really, but if I had any say in the matter it would have been.

I was afraid you wouldn't volunteer. After all, you're the one who came up with the quest idea. ;) I'd like you on board.

Ah good you're going ahead with that, hooray-a for me!

(I hope anyone else who happens to be reading this, isn't frothing at the mouth to find out what this great idea I came up with is, because I aint saying a thing. ;) )

Is it anything like a MUD (many years ago, I did briefly play one [it was non-graphical, and all you saw was text])? :P

Yeah like that. Look at that Wiki link I posted, there's at least one screenshot of a text game on there. You type directions, and "get [item]" and "talk to [character]", that kind of thing.

*waves arm* I can help out too if need be.

I'd like to help. I love making games - I remember me and my brother brainstorming a Megazeux game that sadly failed because of lack of good music and sound effects. But as this is a text-based game, it'll be fine. ;)

I don't really play games much (the Sims 2 doesn't count!), but if you need me I'll be happy to help.