Freedom251 › Game Narrative Design Software
TADS
What TADS is
TADS is a free authoring system for creating interactive fiction, with published source code and no restrictions on games created. Its language resembles C, C++, Java, and JavaScript, and includes runtime typing, closures, garbage collection, and multiple inheritance. The Adv3 library supplies a game-world model, a conversation system, and a 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 specifically for Web Play can run in a browser using JavaScript, CSS, DOM, Ajax, and HTML 5; the standard library 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 is available only on Windows. Authors may distribute or sell games they create. The downloads page identifies version 3.1.3 as the current release. TADS has no dedicated technical support department; users are directed to the interactive fiction community forum, and the Bug Database is recommended for software bug reports.
Who it suits
TADS suits authors creating interactive fiction who are comfortable using its programming language and tools. It may also suit writers seeking browser-playable or multiplayer games, provided they build for Web Play.
What it does well
- Free authoring system with no game-creation restrictions.
- Portable byte code runs with a TADS interpreter.
- Multimedia interpreters support sound, graphics, and animation.
- Authors may distribute or sell their games.
- Command-line tools are available across platforms.
What to know first
- Graphical Workbench is available only on Windows.
- No dedicated technical support department.
- Web play requires games to be specially built for it.
Limits
The free TADS plan has no restrictions on games created. The graphical Workbench authoring environment is limited to Windows; command-line tools are available on all platforms.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| TADS | Free software · Free authoring system · no restrictions on games created | Free |
As tads.org lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the TADS website.
- Choose the command-line tools for your platform, or use Windows Workbench for graphical authoring.
- Use the TADS language and Adv3 library to create an interactive fiction game.
- Compile the game to portable byte code for systems with a TADS interpreter.
- Build for Web Play if you want the game to run in a browser or support a shared multiplayer session.
Verdict
TADS offers a free authoring system with a substantial game library, multimedia support, and portable output. Its graphical Workbench is Windows-only, and support is community-based.
Questions
How much does TADS cost?
TADS is free software. Its listed plan is free, billed as free software.
Is there a free plan or trial?
The plan is free, and a free trial is not offered.
Which platforms does TADS support?
The listed platforms are Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Command-line tools are available on all platforms, while Workbench is available on Windows.
Is TADS open source?
TADS is free software with published source code.
Can authors sell games made with TADS?
Yes. Authors may distribute or sell games they create with it.
Where can I get help or report a bug?
The site directs questions to the interactive fiction community forum and recommends the TADS Bug Database for software bug reports.
Facts from TADS's own pages
- Bug reports
- The TADS Bug Database is the recommended place to report software bugs. · tads.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Collaborative play
- The standard library supports multiple players connecting to and playing a Web game session together. · tads.org, 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, 7 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · tads.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Language
- The TADS language resembles C, C++, Java, and JavaScript and includes runtime typing, closures, garbage collection, and multiple inheritance. · tads.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- TADS is free software with published source code, and authors may distribute or sell games made with it. · tads.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Multimedia
- TADS multimedia interpreters support graphics, animation, music, sound effects, hyperlinks, proportional fonts, and formatted text. · tads.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Object library
- The Adv3 library provides a game world model, conversation system, and parser with about 150 predefined verbs. · tads.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The download page lists authoring or interpreter options for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Unix systems. · tads.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Portability
- TADS compiles games to portable byte code that runs on systems with a TADS interpreter. · tads.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TADS is a free authoring system for creating interactive fiction. · tads.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The downloads page identifies version 3.1.3 as the current TADS release. · tads.org, 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, 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, 7 Oct 2026
- Windows tools
- Windows Workbench combines editing, compiling, running, and debugging in one graphical environment. · tads.org, 7 Oct 2026
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