<img src="http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/press/Museum-Images/Logo.JPG" alt="CCH Logo" align="right" style="width:304px;height:228px">
The world is in turmoil. It is a time of struggle, of trials, and of heroic adventures.
It is...THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!
Children, secured for the rest of the year behind the walls of mighty fortresses (otherwise known as schools), have been loosed upon the unsuspecting world of the Adults. They must be kept entertained, or the world will fall into chaos!
You, adventurer, must keep our world safe from these scary little people by finding things to keep them occupied.
[[Begin this heroic adventure!->Choosing an activity]]
(set: $score = 0)
(set: $weapon = $nothing)
The holidays have begun and you must decide where to take your kids in order to keep them entertained and stop them turning into bored rage-monsters. Where do you take them?
[[To the park - the fresh air will do them good.->To the park]]
[[To the shops - that'll keep them occupied.->To the shops]]
[[To Grandma and Grandad's house - let someone else deal with them!->Grandparent's house]]
Ah, lovely - the birds are singing, butterflies flutter around you, and wasps very politely leave your picnic alone. Charming. Have five points. (set: $score +=5)
[[Continue.->More holidays!]]
Good plan - I think your wallet may complain, though. Have a point anyway.
[[Continue.->More holidays!]]
(set: $score +=1)
Not the bravest choice, but very practical. Good job. Have three points.(set: $score +=3)
[[Continue.->More holidays!]]
The holidays go on, and you find yourself running out of ideas for things to do. Before long, your kids will be going ballistic, and you won't have a moment's peace!
If only there were something for them to do that could satisfy all your requirements. Something fun, something educational, something that you could enjoy doing together. Hmmmm.....
[[What's the title of this story again?->Workshop]]
[[Nope, can't think of anything.]]
What's this? The Amazing Tale of the Storytelling Workshop?
[[Sounds interesting - tell me more.->Info]]
[[Meh - sounds a bit boring.->Spoilsport]]
Great! Good choice. Have a point. (set: $score +=1)
Here at the Centre for Computing History, we run workshops explaining how to use Twine, a really fun tool that lets you build interactive stories just like this one you're reading now. What's more, because Twine runs in your web browser, others can play your story very easily and you can use it on just about any PC, however ancient or underpowered it may be.
What would you like to know about the workshop?
[[Is it fun?]]
[[Is it educational?]]
[[When is it?]]
[[How much does it cost?]]
[[I'm sold! Sign me up!->I'm sold!]]
Oh, you spoilsport. This is the whole point of the story! I'm going to dock you a point. (set: $score =-1)
Would you care to reconsider your opinion of our marvellous workshop? Pretty please?
[[Please, don't take any more points from me! Tell me more!->Info]]
[[I don't need points anyway. Not interested.->Sure?]]
Fine, I won't dock you points this time. Are you sure you won't reconsider?
[[Ok, tell me more.->Info]]
[[No. Go away!->Really sure?]]
Are you sure? It's a great workshop.
[[Tell me more->Info]]
[[Yes I'm sure!->Really really sure?]]
Sure?
[[Tell me more->Info]]
[[YES!!!!->Fine]]
Fine, have it your way. Perhaps you were only messing around with the game and wanting to see where this path led. Well, you lose a million points. (set: $score =-1000000)
Ha! The joke's on you!
[[Continue->Game Over]]
Congratulations! You've got enough patience to make it to the end of this trifling little game. Perhaps you came here the quick way, or maybe you've slain dragons, fought space battles and undertaken some espionage along the way? Who knows. The more you've explored the story, the higher your score will be.
So. The moment of truth. You scored...
{(if: $score <10)[...a piffling $score points. Oh dear. That's a fairly poor showing, I'm afraid. Perhaps you should play again...]
(if: $score >10 and $score <20)[...a modest $score points. That's not bad, but you can do better.]
(if: $score >20 and $score <30)[...a solid $score points. Well done! That's a pretty good score you've got there.]
(if: $score >30)[...a terrific $score points. Fantastic! You did tremendously well.]}
Thanks for playing and we hope to see you at the workshop!
<img src="http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/press/Museum-Images/Logo.JPG" alt="CCH Logo" align="middle" style="width:304px;height:228px">
Enormously. Tremendously. Amazingly.
Twine can be used to generate daft little stories like this one here, or epic tales of adventure spanning pages and pages of text. Why don't we go on a little adventure of our own to see how much fun this can be? In each story we'll be utilising some of the clever tricks Twine can let you perform, from inventory tracking to click triggers to all sorts.
What type of adventure would you like to experience?
[[A fantasy epic.]]
[[A space adventure.]]
[[A spy thriller.]]
[[None, thanks. I'd like to know more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
Good question. Have a point. (set: $score +=1)
This workshop might just look like fun and games, but we'll actually be teaching some important and practical computing concepts. You don't need to be a coding whizz at all to build a fun story in Twine, but there are lots of coding tricks you can use to make the stories look and function better. Using HTML coding and Javascript, you can turn this plain text into something very interesting.
[[HTMJavawhatnot? Tell me more about this.->Formatting]]
[[Sounds great, sign me up!->Sign me up!]]
[[But is it fun?->Is it fun?]]
Well, um, that was an easier sell than we were expecting. Have some points for being so eager! (set: $score +=5)
You know, you could always learn a bit more about the workshop anyway. Or you could complete the game and book your places on the workshop.
[[Is it fun?]]
[[Is it educational?]]
[[When is it?]]
[[How much does it cost?]]
[[Let's go book some tickets!->Sign me up!]]
The workshop will take place at 11am on Friday 3rd June 2016. We will also be running this workshop during other holiday periods. Keep up with us on social media and on our website for more details.
[[Tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
[[I'm done. Sign me up!->Sign me up!]]
The workshop is priced at our standard entry rates: £8 for adults, £6 for children and £24 for a family ticket (comprising 2 adults and 2 children). This also gets you access to the rest of the museum for the whole day.
Would you like to know more about the workshop?
[[Yes please.->Info Menu]]
[[No thanks, sign me up!->Sign me up!]]
You are trying to find something else to do with your child when WOOOOOOSH - a MIGHTY DRAGON lands on top of your house!
[[Quail in terror!]]
[[Fight this tyrannical beast!]]
You are trying to find something else to do with your child when a glittering glow fills your front room. A transporter beam! Captain Kirk appears before you.
"We need your help!" he cries. "The Sith are attacking Krypton!"
[[Beam me up!]]
[[I don't fancy this, let's do the fantasy story instead.->Kirk and the Dragon]]
[[This sounds boring, let's do the spy thriller instead->Kirk and the spies]]
You are in your front room trying to find something else to do with your kids when the phone rings.
"The Government is after you," says a crackly, robotic voice. "Proceed to the safehouse. The address is in your car. Trust no one."
They hang up. Spooky! What do you do?
[[Head outside to your car.->Outside]]
[[Lock the doors and protect your home->Spies!]]
Hearing screams and blasts of fiery breath outside, you decide that this monstrous creature must be stopped! But first you will need a weapon. Conveniently, a wizard has just appeared in your front room, and he offers you three artefacts of legendary power. Which do you choose?
(link: "Super Sword of Supremacy")[(set: $weapon =$sword)(goto: "Weapon")]
(link: "Middlish Mace of Mediocrity")[(set: $weapon =$mace)(goto: "Weapon")]
(link: "Broken Bow of Bluuurgh")[(set: $weapon =$bow)(goto: "Weapon")]
(set: $sword to (datamap: "name", "Super Sword of Supremacy", "damage", 15))
(set: $mace to (datamap: "name", "Middlish Mace of Mediocrity", "damage", 10))
(set: $bow to (datamap: "name", "Broken Bow of Bluuurgh", "damage", 5))
(set: $dragon_hp =50)
(set: $player_hp =20)
(That's not really in the spirit of the story, is it? Try roleplaying a bit!) (set: $score -=1)
[[Fight this tyrannical beast!]]
[[Nope, I fancy a spy adventure instead.->A spy thriller.]]
[[Nah, let's do the space story instead.->A space adventure.]]
Phew! Wasn't that fun? Given enough time, you and your kids can use Twine to create adventures millions of times more epic than that one. Would you like to try another adventure or learn more about the workshop?
[[I'll do the space opera this time.->A space adventure.]]
[[I fancy the spy thriller.->A spy thriller.]]
[[Is the workshop educational?->Is it educational?]]
[[When is the workshop?->When is it?]]
[[How much is the workshop?->How much does it cost?]]
If you'd like to come to this workshop, please visit http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/pages/30677/What-s-On/. Feel free to browse the other workshops as well.
Is there anything else you'd like to do, or do you want to finish the game and discover the most important thing of all: your final score?
[[Tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
[[No, that's that. Tell me my score.->Game Over]]
HTML (or HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language used to create web pages. This makes it one of the most useful languages for budding coders to get started with, especially because it's quite simple. For instance, with a very small bit of coding I can do
<b>this</b>
<i>this</i>
<u>this</u>
<center>this</center>
<font size="-5">this</font size>
<font size="+16">this</font size>
<p style ="color:red">and this.</p>
Not bad, eh? And this is only the very basic stuff.
[[Really? What else can you do with Twine?]]
[[Excellent, I'm sold!->Sign me up!]]
Twine can handle more coding than just a few formatting tweaks. It can also deal with an important aspect of coding: variables. For instance, you may have noticed that you've been picking up points throughout this game. Well, thanks to little bits of hidden code, your points total has being tracked since you began playing. Your current score, for instance, is $score, and that value will be different depending on your path through this game.
Variables, amongst other things, can be set a altered using bits of code called macros, and we will teach the basics of these during the workshop.
[[Cool. Can I have some more points?->More points]]
[[Interesting. Anything else?]]
(set: $weaponset=(dataset: $sword's name, $mace's name, $bow's name))The wizard hands over your chosen weapon and vanishes in a puff of smoke.
Okay. Let's do this! You dash outside and make your move.
[[Attack the dragon!]]
[[Not yet, I need to make a heroic speech first!->Heroic speech.]]
[[You know what? I'm bored of this story. I'd like to do the sci-fi one instead.->A space adventure.]]
[[This story is boring, let's do the spy one instead.->A spy thriller.]]
A beam of light appears around you. You feel the world fade away and find yourself transported onto the gleaming bridge of a starship! Various personnel in coloured jumpers are operating the equipment, but the captain's chair is empty, and Mr. Spock beckons you towards it.
"Captain on the bridge," he says to the assembled officers, before turning to you. "What are your orders, captain?"
[["Status report, number one."->Status]]
[["Warp nine to Pluto! Wheeeeee!"->Silly captain]]
[["Er, I'm rather underqualified for all this."->Roleplay!]]
You are trying to find something else to do with your child when WOOOOOOSH - a MIGHTY DRAGON lands on top of your house!
Fortunately, Captain Kirk is still in your front room. He leaps out of a window, beats up the dragon in a badly-choreographed fight scene, and promptly beams up to the Enterprise again. What a pro.
[[No! I want the proper fantasy adventure!->Back to fantasy.]]
[[I give up. Let's talk about other aspects of this workshop.->Info Menu]]
You are in your front room trying to find something else to do with your kids when the phone rings.
"The Government is after you," says a crackly, robotic voice. "Proceed to the safehouse. Trust no one."
Captain Kirk, however, is still in the room. He seizes the receiver. "Listen up! This is a space adventure, not a spy story, dammit! We've a planet to save!"
[[Give me the proper spy story!->Back to spies]]
[[I give up! Tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
[[Fine. Have it your way.->A fantasy epic.]]
What would you like to know about the workshop?
[[Is it fun?]]
[[Is it educational?]]
[[How much does it cost?]]
[[When is it?]]
[[Is there anything else I should know?->Further details]]
You leap into the attack! You have $player_hp hitpoints and the dragon has $dragon_hp. He's an old dragon, though, and can only do 5 points of damage per attack. Your (print: $weapon's name) attacks for (print: $weapon's damage). It's a 50/50 chance as to who gets to attack! What will happen next?
[[Charge!]]
Loving your commitment to roleplaying. Have some points! (set: $score +=3)
What type of speech are we talking, here?
[[A cool one-liner. "Hey there, dragon! You're about to get...burned."->Chat with the dragon.]]
[[A Tolkien-esque call to battle. "Thou treacherous beast, noisome Wyrm of a darker age! Your fiery wrath will not avail you! Have at thee!->Chat with the dragon.]]
[[Full barbarian mode! "RRRRAAAAARRGHHHH! GET SOME!->Chat with the dragon.]]
"Charming," says the dragon. "I'm not here to hurt anyone, honest."
[[Wh-what? But you're a terrible dragon!]]
[[Attack the dragon!]]
"Honestly," says the dragon. "Those Hobbit films have done my kind a terrible disservice. We're not all gold-obsessed pyromaniacs, you know. Have you seen How to Train Your Dragon? Some of us are really quite nice."
[[Oh. I hadn't really thought about that.]]
[[Your lies do not deceive me, wyrm! (Attack the dragon)->Attack the dragon!]]
"Look," says the dragon, "How about we all go to the nearest Ye Olde Fantasy Tavern and share a mug of fine ale?"
[[Aren't you a bit big for that?]]
[[This is a trick! (Attack the dragon)->Attack the dragon!]]
"Perhaps," says the dragon, "But the sentiment is heartfelt."
[[Fine. Let's all live happily ever after!->Best fantasy ending]]
[[I don't believe you! (Attack the dragon)->Attack the dragon!]]
Marvellous! You and the dragon go back to the pub, along with all your chums, and share a lovely pint of your favourite fantasy brew. Have twenty points! (set: $score +=20)
What would you like to do now? More adventures, or more info on this storytelling workshop?
[[Let's do the sci-fi story!->A space adventure.]]
[[I want to try the spy story!->A spy thriller.]]
[[Is the workshop educational?->Is it educational?]]
[[How much does it cost?]]
[[When is it?]]
[[Sign me up!]]
(set: $score +=5) Of course you can. Have 5 more points. That leaves you with a current score of $score.
[[Interesting. Anything else?]]
About those variables: we can track an awful lot more than just scores. For instance, if you've played through the little fantasy adventure elsewhere in this branching story, you'll have a whole new sentence now.
{
(if: $weapon's name is in $weaponset)[I see that you're still carrying your (print: $weapon's name), given to you by a friendly wizard. Twine is still tracking your inventory, you see!]
}
Maybe you didn't see that bit, but if you replay the fantasy story and loop your way back to this part of the tale, you'll spot it. But you get the idea! Using systems like this I can introduce all sorts of new adventures and stories depending on what items you are carrying or what choices you've made up until this point. Giving users options depending on their previous choices is vital to the design of any game, or even anything with an interactive element.
[[So, anything else I should know about the educational value of Twine?->End of educational branch.]]
(set: $score +=2)In short, Twine is one of those tools that, with time, can be used to create massively complicated systems. With enough time, knowledge and imagination it's possible to create a huge story with hundreds of potential different plots, or a game with a full-blown RPG system behind it tracking your health, ability scores and inventory.
Twine is great because it is incredibly simple to use, and because it teaches game design concepts almost by stealth. It allows users to unleash their imagination and make daft tales about knights, space marines or secret agents, but at the same time they will be learning at some level about logic, choice and consequence, branching narratives and interactivity - ideas that professional games designers wrestle with all the time.
Now, would you like to go over anything else?
[[Yes please, give me more information.->Info Menu]]
[[No, I'm satisfied. Sign me up!->Sign me up!]]
You run away, have a nice cup of tea to recharge your batteries, and get ready for the fight again. Watch out, though: the dragon has recovered its health too.
[[Attack the dragon!]]
(set: $dragon_hp =50)
(set: $player_hp =20)
The dragon falls in a cloud of smoke and fire, and you step away, victorious. You've saved the world (well, your house at least). Have ten points! (set: $score +=10)
What would you like to do now?
[[I'd like to do some sci-fi adventuring.->A space adventure.]]
[[I've always fancied being a spy.->A spy thriller.]]
[[Tell me more about this workshop.->Info Menu]]
{(set: $dragon_hp =50)
(set: $player_hp =20)
}Woops, you lose a point. (set: $score -=1) But that's not how the story has to end. [[Let's wind back the clock...->Attack the dragon!]]
Or perhaps you'd like to leave this part of the story and do something else?
[[Tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
Really? There's definitely something, you know.
[[What's the title of this story again?->Workshop]]
[[Nope, still can't think of anything.]]
Do you know, I think you're being deliberately annoying. I'm going to take 5 points away from you. Ha. Ha. Ha. (set: $score -=5)
[[Game Over]]
(if: (either: 0, 1) is 0)[
The dragon bites you!
(set: $player_hp to $player_hp - 5)
(if: $player_hp < 1)[[[You are dead. Oh dear!->Dead]] ]
(else:)[Your health is $player_hp.
[[Charge!]]
[[Rest up.]]]
](else:)[ You hit the dragon!
(set:$dragon_hp = $dragon_hp - $weapon's damage)
(if: $dragon_hp < 1)[ The [[dragon is slain!->Victory!]]]
(else:)[
Its health is $dragon_hp.
[[Charge!]]
[[Rest up.]] ]
]
"Captain," says Spock, "The Sith have been bombarding Krypton for the last few hours. Superman is busy saving the Earth from some trifling problem, and the Jedi are having trouble making their way to this particular parallel universe. So it's up to us to stop this attack."
[[Power up the phasers, we're going to attack them with everything we have!->Ship battle]]
(set: $score -=1)"If those are your orders, captain, we shall carry them out," says Spock. He points a finger at the viewscreen. "But as you can see, there's a rather large Star Destroyer out there pouring down laser fire on Krypton. This may not be the time for a joyride to Pluto."
[["Nonsense! Maximum power to the dilithium crystals!"->Er...]]
[["Very well, number one. What's going on?"->Status]]
Confidence, confidence! You'll be fine. Just put on your most authoritative voice and dish out some orders.
[[OK! "Status report, number one!"->Status]]
[[Nope, I'd rather do the fantasy story.->A fantasy epic.]]
[[Nah, I fancy being a spy.->A spy thriller.]]
[[Tell me more about the workshop->Info Menu]]
(set: $score -=10) "Very well, captain," says Spock. You sense, even through his highly-controlled exterior, that he is a bit exasperated with you. "Helmsman, warp nine to Pluto. And, as the captain said: 'wheeeeeeeee'."
Captain Kirk teleports back onto the bridge and jabs a finger at you. "What the heck are you doing, dammit? There's a planet to save! Get out of my chair!"
A transporter beam lights you up, and you are whisked back to your living room.
Well that didn't go to well. You've lost quite a few points, you know. Would you like to try the space adventure again?
[[Yes! I can be a starship captain!->A space adventure.]]
[[Nah, Kirk and Spock are stoopid. Tell me more about the workshop instead.->Info Menu]]
[[Ok, let's do this story properly this time.->A spy thriller.]]
(set: $ship_hp =50) (set: $sd_hp =50)"Aye aye, captain!" says Spock. "Set an intercept course for that enemy vessel, helmsman."
You are about to enter battle with the Star Destroyer! Your ships both have 50 hull points. You will take it in turns to attack one another. Each turn you can either fire your phasers or your torpedoes. Torpedoes do good damage, but are less likely to hit, whereas phasers have a better chance to hit but do less damage. Watch out, though - the baddies will be constantly whittling down your health!
[[Attack!]]
It's your turn to attack. Which weapon do you fire?
[[Fire all phasers!->Phaser]]
[[Launch torpedoes!->Torpedo]]
You fire your phasers!
(if: (either: 0, 1) is 0)[They crash into the enemy hull, dealing 5 damage!(set: $sd_hp to $sd_hp - 5) This leaves the enemy ship with $sd_hp hull points.](else:)[They miss. Blast! The enemy ship still has $sd_hp hull points.]
(if: $sd_hp > 0)[ [[The enemy attacks!]] ](else:)[You have destroyed the enemy vessel. [[Krypton is saved!->Ship victory!]]]
You fire a torpedo!
(if: (either: 0, 1,2,3) is 0)[It smashes into the enemy hull with a fiery explosion, dealing an enormous 20 damage!(set: $sd_hp to $sd_hp - 20) This leaves the enemy ship with $sd_hp hull points.](else:)[The torpedo misses. Blast! The enemy ship still has $sd_hp hull points.]
(if: $sd_hp > 0)[ [[The enemy attacks!]] ](else:)[You have destroyed the enemy vessel. [[Krypton is saved!->Ship victory!]]]
(set: $sd_attack=(either: 1, 2, 3))(set: $ship_hp -=$sd_attack) The Star Destroyer's lasers light up the darkness of space and strike your ship! They do $sd_attack damage, leaving your ship with $ship_hp hull points.
(if: $ship_hp < 1)[[[Your ship has been destroyed. Oh no!->Ship dead]] ] (else:)[[[You attack!->Attack!]] ]
(set: $score-=1)(set: $ship_hp=50)(set: $sd_hp=50)Drat! You lose a point for getting your ship blown up, but never fear! You can try again, or do something else.
[[Bring her around for another attack, helmsman!->Attack!]]
[[Tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
"I commend you on your victory, Captain," says Spock. "As all good nerds know, the Enterprise beats a Star Destroyer. Whether either can defeat the Millennium Falcon is, however, a moot point."
A transporter beam surrounds you and you find yourself transported back to your front room. Congratulations, captain! Have a whole pile of points. (set: $score +=10) You currently have $score in total.
What's next?
[[I'll do the fantasy story->A fantasy epic.]]
[[I want to be a spy!->A spy thriller.]]
[[Tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
[[Sign me up!]]
You walk outside, looking warily about you for any spies. The street is quiet and still. You get into your car to find a brown envelope on the passenger seat. You open it and read the address of the safehouse.
Are you in a rush to get there or will you play it safe?
[[Put your foot down!->Fast]]
[[Let's be subtle->Slow]]
You go to lock the back door - and spot a man in a dark suit watching from the hedges! He leaps out with a gun!
[[Run for it!]]
[[I can take him!]]
You screech away in a plume of tire smoke, but another car follows you close behind. The chase is on! You know of two ways to the safehouse - one through the backstreets, another on the main road. Which do you take?
[[I'll outrun them on the motorway!->Motorway]]
[[I'll lose them in the winding backstreeets.->Backstreets]]
Nice, the subtle approach. Good idea.(set: $score +=1)
As you crawl through the traffic, you notice that a black saloon car has been trailing you for the last few turnings. Hmmmm...what do you do?
[[They're clearly following us. We'll give them the slip through the backstreets!->Backstreets]]
[[I'll outrun them on the main road!->Motorway]]
You rush back into the house and head for the front door. You can hear the agent chasing you, but you daren't look back! You grab your keys, crash out of the front door and leap into your car.
[[Step on it!->Fast]]
(set: $score =-2)He has a gun and is a trained spy, come off it! You dash out and a sharp pain hits your shoulder. A...tranquiliser dart...you drift...off...to...sleep........
That didn't go so well. Would you like to try again or do something else?
[[I'd like to restart the spy story.->A spy thriller.]]
[[Tell me more about the workshop->Info Menu]]
You blast onto the motorway and plant your foot hard on the accelerator. Sadly, you're only driving a poxy hatchback, and the baddies are racing up behind you in their slick, sporty saloon. Oh no!
Suddenly, a robotic voice speaks from your dashboard.
"Your car has been upgraded by Resistance HQ," says the voice. "Pursuers detected. Countermeasures activating."
A hidden hatch opens on the gear lever! There are two buttons beneath - a red one and a blue one. Sadly, no one has provided you with an instruction manual. Which do you press?
[[Red!]]
[[Blue!]]
You zip through the backstreets and soon lose your tail. Good job! (set: $score +=3)
Soon enough you make it to [[the safehouse->Safehouse]].
"Ejector seat activated." (set: $score -=1)
You are blasted out of your car by the ejector seat and soar high into the air. That probably wasn't the right button...
When you parachute down to earth, the bad guys in suits have surrounded you! Disaster...
[[No no no, that's not what happened...->Motorway]]
[[Drat. I'll try the fantasy story instead->A fantasy epic.]]
[[Bother. I want to be a space captain now.->A space adventure.]]
[[Tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
(set: $score +=1)"Smokescreen activated."
In your rearview mirror you see a cloud of smoke gushing from the rear of your car, shrouding the road behind you in mist. There's no way your pursuers will catch you through that! You quickly turn off the road and get yourself to the safehouse.
[[Phew! A lucky escape.->Safehouse]]
{(click: ?tranq)[(set: $gadget =1)(replace: ?gadgetchoice)["We'll get to work on it," says the secretive man before you. "Good luck on your mission." [[Now you must wait...->Mission Go!]] ]]
(click: ?watch)[(set: $gadget =2)(replace: ?gadgetchoice)["We'll get to work on it," says the secretive man before you. "Good luck on your mission." [[Now you must wait...->Mission Go!]] ]]
(click: ?hack)[(set: $gadget =3)(replace: ?gadgetchoice)["We'll get to work on it," says the secretive man before you. "Good luck on your mission." [[Now you must wait...->Mission Go!]] ]]
}You arrive at the safehouse. A man in a long raincoat, wearing a hat that hides his eyes, greets you.
"Well done on getting here in one piece," he says. "Now we need to clear your name. To do that, we'll have to sneak into the baddies' HQ and alter some files in their computer system. I'll get our guys to work on providing you with some gadgets, but they'll only be able to get hold of one of them in time. What would you like to use on your mission?
[[A super-sneaky silenced tranquiliser gun.]<tranq|
[A watch with a built-in laser!]<watch|
[A hacking kit built into my phone. ]<hack|]<gadgetchoice|
You are given your gadget and briefed on the mission. After getting some rest, you quietly slip out of the house at midnight with your companion and head for the baddie HQ.
You head around to the back entrance - but it is guarded by a goon with a machine gun. What do you do?
[[I can knock him out, hand to hand! Let's fight.->Fight]]
[[We'll have to find another way in, but it will lose us some vital time.->Time lost getting in]]
(if: $gadget is 1)[ [[I use my tranquiliser gun to send him to sleep!->Tranquiliser]] ]
You rush forward to catch the guard, well, off-guard...
...but he spots you, raises his weapon and fires! Something whizzes past you and you manage to wrestle the guard to the floor and knock him out. You turn to your companion, but he's lying on the floor, clutching his chest.
"He got me," he says. "Go on alone, I can't help you now."
[["I won't leave without you!"->Help]]
[["Thank you. I must go on."->Go on without companion]]
(set: $score +=1) "Don't be foolish!" says your fellow agent. "There's no time. They'll know what your after and get the data more secure. You'll never get it. You'll never be able to clear your name, and you'll have to flee forever."
[["It's a price I'm willing to pay. I'll not have you die for me.->Life on the run]]
[["You're right. I must go on. Thank you."->Go on without companion]]
(set: $score +=2)Great idea! You raise your tranquiliser gun and squeeze the trigger. There's a thumping pop and the guard slips silently to the floor, knocked unconscious by your stealthy attack.
"It's a good job you choose to bring that," says your secret companion. "Let's get inside."
The two of you [[enter the building->inside]].
(set: $score +=3) In a selfless act of sacrifice, you leave the scene to get medical help for your comrade. When he is safe, you get your passport and flee. They will never stop hunting you and you must live your life on the run, but your conscience will be clear...
...or perhaps the story went a little differently? What would you like to do next?
[[I'd like to replay the spy story->A spy thriller.]]
[[Tell me more about the workshop->Info Menu]]
(set: $companion =1)You know that, however hard it is, you are doing the right thing. You leave your companion behind and [[head inside the building->inside]].
{(set: $alertText to (text-style: "shudder") + (colour:"#e74"))
}(if: $companion is 1)[
You sneak into the building, following the plans you were shown during the briefing at the safehouse. You know you have to get the main lift to the basement. You approach the [lift shaft...]<alarms|
(click-append: ?alarms)[$alertText[...but alarms blare out across the building!]
"Building in lockdown," says a robotic voice. "All lifts inactive."
You hear shouting and the tramp of boots. What do you do?
[[I'll just have to take the stairs->Stairs]]
[[I'm basically James Bond, Jack Bauer and Jason Bourne all in one. I can take them!->No you can't]]
(if: $gadget is 2)[ [[I can use my laser watch to get into the ventilation shafts. The classic spy escape!->Watch]] ]
]
]
(if: $companion is 0)[
You sneak into the building, guided by your companion. He leads you toward the main lifts, which will take you to the server room downstairs, where the data the incriminates you is kept. You approach the [lift shaft...]<alarms|
(click-append: ?alarms)[$alertText[...but alarms blare out across the building!]
"Building in lockdown," says a robotic voice. "All lifts inactive."
You hear shouting and the tramp of boots. The guards are on the way!
"Go, take the stairs!" says your fellow agent. I'll hold them off and buy you time!"
[["Of course. Thank you - I won't forget this."->Stairs]]
[[Never! We can take them together! I won't have you killed on my behalf.->Save companion]]
(if: $gadget is 2)[ [["Wait! I can use my laser watch to get into the ventilation shafts. The classic spy escape!"->Watch]] ]
]
]
(if: $companion is 1)[
(set: $score +=2)Ingenious! Good job you brought that with you. You zap the grille off the ventilation shaft and scuttle through the building, with the guards oblivious to your presence.
Soon you reach the basement, zapping your way out of the vent shafts once more. Armed with your knowledge of the building layout, you head for [[the server room...->servers]]
]
(if: $companion is 0)[
(set: $score +=4)"Ingenious!" says your companion. "Good job you brought that with you."
You zap the grille off the ventilation shaft and scuttle through the building, with the guards oblivious to your presence.
Soon you reach the basement, zapping your way out of the vent shafts once more. Armed with your knowledge of the building layout, the two of you head for [[the server room...->servers]]
]
"No!" shouts your fellow agent. "Don't be mad! There almost here, you must save yourself! I can hold them."
[["Of course. Thank you. I won't forget this."->Stairs]]
[["Never. I won't have you die or be captured on my account. We'll escape together!->life on the run 2]]
(set: $companion =1)You dash for the stairs and manage to dodge your opponents, who are still occupied on the upper floors. You need to get this done quickly, or they'll catch you!
Armed with your knowledge of the building you reach the basement and make for [[the server room...->servers]]
(set: $score +=3) In a selfless act of sacrifice, you help your comrade fight out of the building and flee the scene. Once gone, you head home and get your passport. They will never stop hunting you and you must live your life on the run, but your conscience will be clear...
...or perhaps the story went a little differently? What would you like to do next?
[[I'd like to replay the spy story->A spy thriller.]]
[[Tell me more about the workshop->Info Menu]]
(set: $alertText to (text-style: "shudder") + (colour:"#e74"))You enter the server room. It is dark, but rack upon rack of tiny lights flicker on the front of the giant computer units that fill the room. You access a terminal and, with the help of knowledge from your briefing, you find the all-important files - the files that are falsely incriminating you and causing these spies to hunt you down. You must alter them!
You try to change them, but a red box flashes up on the screen!
<i>SECURITY COMPROMISED. VALIDATION REQUIRED. SOLVE MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS WITHIN TIME LIMIT FOR ACCESS.</i>
Looks like you'll have to jump through a few hoops to get to that data!
[[Begin puzzles.->puzzles]]
(if: $gadget is 3)[ [[Aha! I brought a hacking kit with me from the safehouse!->kit puzzles]] ]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 1
3x5=?
[You only have five seconds!
[[5->Wrong!]]
[[10->Wrong!]]
[[15->Puzzle stage 2]]
[[20->Wrong!]]
[[25->Wrong!]]
]<puzzle1|
(live: 5s)[(replace: ?puzzle1)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
"That's a sensible idea," says your companion. "But we'll lose time getting in."
You'll just have to hope that lost time doesn't count...
[[Go inside the building.->inside]]
(set: $score -=1) You have failed to hack the system. It locks down, and all is lost........
.......or maybe not. Would you like to try again, or do something else?
[[I'd like to try the hacking again.->servers]]
[[Tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 2
48-(2x4)
[You only have five seconds!
[[36->Wrong!]]
[[40->Puzzle stage 3]]
[[44->Wrong!]]
[[46->Wrong!]]
[[41->Wrong!]]
]<puzzle2|
(live: 5s)[(replace: ?puzzle2)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 3
3x18+12
[You only have five seconds!
[[52->Wrong!]]
[[54->Wrong!]]
[[60->Wrong!]]
[[66->Puzzle stage 4]]
[[74->Wrong!]]
]<puzzle3|
(live: 5s)[(replace: ?puzzle3)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 4
53x6=?
[You only have five seconds!
[[280->Wrong!]]
[[296->Wrong!]]
[[299->Wrong!]]
[[310->Wrong!]]
[[312->Puzzle stage 5]]
]<puzzle4|
(live: 5s)[(replace: ?puzzle4)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 5
(100-52)x(6+3)
[You only have five seconds!
[[410->Wrong!]]
[[432->Server unlock!]]
[[447->Wrong!]]
[[472->Wrong!]]
[[487->Wrong!]]
]<puzzle5|
(live: 5s)[(replace: ?puzzle5)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
(set: $score +=10)
<i>"ACCESS GRANTED"</i> says the computer voice. You've done it! The files incriminating you have been deleted and justice has been done!
A besuited agent, one of those who has been chasing you, steps into the room.
"Terribly sorry about that," he says. "We've just looked at our records, and it appears you aren't an enemy of the state after all. You're free to go home. Apologies again."
You have completed the spy story and gained a whole bundle of points! What would you like to do next?
[[Tell me more about the Twine workshop.->Info Menu]]
[[Sign me up!]]
(set: $score -=2) Don't be silly, there a hundreds of them on their way!
[[I guess I'll have to run then. To the stairs!->Stairs]]
[[No, I really think I can take them!->Haha]]
(set: $score -=2)The guards approach and although you bash one of them on the head, there are too many of them. You feel a sharp pain and look down to see a needle in your arm. Your vision begins to swim....looks like...you won't be clearing...your name...after all...
...or maybe things went differently. What would you like to do now?
[[Replay the spy story.->A spy thriller.]]
[[Tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
(if: $companion is 1)[
(set: $score +=2)Ingenious! Good job you brought that hacking kit with you. It won't crack the system, but it will buy you some more time with the puzzles. You activate the hacking program and begin [[the unlock sequence...->kit puzzles 1]]
]
(if: $companion is 0)[
(set: $score +=4)"Ingenious!" says your companion. "Good job you brought that with you."
The kit won't crack the system, but it will buy you some more time with the puzzles. You activate the hacking program and begin [[the unlock sequence...->kit puzzles 1]]
]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 1
3x5=?
[You only have eight seconds!
[[5->Wrong!]]
[[10->Wrong!]]
[[15->kit puzzle 2]]
[[20->Wrong!]]
[[25->Wrong!]]
]<puzzlek1|
(live: 8s)[(replace: ?puzzlek1)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 2
48-(2x4)
[You only have eight seconds!
[[36->Wrong!]]
[[40->kit puzzle 3]]
[[44->Wrong!]]
[[46->Wrong!]]
[[41->Wrong!]]
]<puzzlek2|
(live: 8s)[(replace: ?puzzlek2)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 3
3x18+12
[You only have eight seconds!
[[52->Wrong!]]
[[54->Wrong!]]
[[60->Wrong!]]
[[66->kit puzzle 4]]
[[74->Wrong!]]
]<puzzlek3|
(live: 8s)[(replace: ?puzzlek3)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 4
53x6=?
[You only have eight seconds!
[[280->Wrong!]]
[[296->Wrong!]]
[[299->Wrong!]]
[[310->Wrong!]]
[[312->kit puzzle 5]]
]<puzzlek4|
(live: 8s)[(replace: ?puzzlek4)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
SECURITY _ SUBSET _ LVL _ 5
(100-52)x(6+3)
[You only have eight seconds!
[[410->Wrong!]]
[[432->Server unlock!]]
[[447->Wrong!]]
[[472->Wrong!]]
[[487->Wrong!]]
]<puzzlek5|
(live: 8s)[(replace: ?puzzlek5)[You ran out of time. [[Oh no!->Wrong!]] ]]
This workshop is aimed at children aged seven and up. Adults are welcome too! Please note that all under 14's must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Although the booking is for a specific time slot, entry to the museum is permitted all day. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm.
Tea, coffee and snacks will be available from our Pac Lunch Shop. We also have plenty of seating for parents!
Is there anything else you'd like to know?
[[Yes, tell me more about the workshop.->Info Menu]]
[[No, I'm done. Sign me up!->Sign me up!]]