instead ☆
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Description:
Interpreter of simple text adventures
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Productivity
Tags: gaming text-adventure interactive-fiction lua development
Install: brew install instead
About:
Instead is an interpreter designed for playing and creating simple text adventures, often referred to as 'gamebooks'. It uses a Lua-based scripting engine to manage game state, narrative flow, and user interactions. This tool provides a lightweight, cross-platform environment for interactive fiction enthusiasts and developers.
Key Features:
  • Lua scripting engine for game logic
  • Cross-platform support (Linux, macOS, Windows)
  • Simple XML-based format for game resources
  • Integrated development environment for creators
Use Cases:
  • Playing classic and modern text adventures
  • Developing interactive fiction or gamebooks
  • Creating educational narrative experiences
Alternatives:
  • Frotz – Frotz is a Z-machine interpreter for classic Infocom games, whereas Instead focuses on a Lua-based engine for modern interactive fiction.
  • Twine – Twine is a web-based tool for creating non-linear stories, while Instead provides a downloadable interpreter and a Lua-based scripting environment.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 15, 2025 1:29am 0 VERSION_BUMP 41a3d94f
Sep 14, 2024 9:03am 0 VERSION_BUMP ae4a8109
Dec 1, 2022 9:48am 1 VERSION_BUMP de1f7d81
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