Interactive fiction for Choice of Games / Hosted Games
Rank #225 · Tier C · Priority score 34/100 · Category: Content & media
Write branching text games in ChoiceScript, either commissioned by Choice of Games for an advance or self-written under the Hosted Games label for a 25% royalty.
Scores
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Payment probability (6 months) | 2/10 |
| Automation after setup | 2/10 |
| Setup effort (1 = trivial) | 7/10 |
| Ongoing effort (1 = none) | 6/10 |
| Income potential | 5/10 |
| AI leverage | 2/10 |
| Legal in reference countries | 100% |
| Platform pays out in reference countries | 95% |
| Capital required | $0 |
| Time to first dollar | 90–540 d |
| Typical monthly income (low / median / high) | $0 / $0 / $1,500 |
Realistic expectations
Most people who try this earn around $0–$0 per month in the first year; the high figure of $1,500 is a ceiling for a focused solo operator, not a typical outcome. The chance of receiving at least one real payout within six months is rated 2/10. Expect the first payment after 90–540 d.
How it works
Choice of Games commissions interactive novels: you pitch, get an outline accepted, and receive a $10,000 advance against 25% royalties, or $15,000 against 10%, paid in milestones that start with $100 for an invited pitch. On the Hosted Games route you write a game of at least 30,000 words, run a public beta for a month, and receive 25% of revenue from app, Steam and web sales. Players pay for the game, and in-app purchases add revenue. AI-generated prose, code and art are banned.
Platforms: Choice of Games, Hosted Games
Resources & business plan
What you need to start
| Resource | Amount |
|---|---|
| Time to launch | 300 hours |
| One-time cash | $0 |
| Recurring fixed cost | $0 / month |
| Tools | ChoiceScript (free); Choice of Games forum for beta; text editor |
| Skills | branching narrative design; writing 30k-300k+ words of polished prose; basic scripting |
| Equipment | laptop |
| Accounts | Choice of Games/Hosted Games contract; PayPal or bank for royalties |
How the money is made (unit economics)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Unit | per game sale (Hosted Games) |
| Typical price per unit (low / median / high) | $3 / $5 / $10 |
| Direct cost per unit | $0 |
| Platform fee | 75% |
| Gross margin (median case) | 25% |
| Human hours per unit after automation | 0 |
Hosted Games authors receive 25% of revenue from app, Steam and web sales; typical prices $3-$8. The commissioned route instead pays $10,000-$15,000 advances in milestones. Hosted Games 25% royalty verified.
Break-even
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Monthly fixed cost | $0 |
| Units per month to break even | 0 |
| Typical months to break even | 12 |
| Months to recover startup cash | 0 |
No startup cash or fixed cost, so break-even = first payment received. A Hosted Game needs 30,000+ words plus a month of public beta; commissioned games pay a $100 first milestone after an invited pitch.
Market conditions (Nov 2026)
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Demand trend | stable |
| Competition | medium |
| Effect of AI | neutral |
| Price pressure | stable |
| Chance of real net profit within 12 months (≥ $100/month where the plan can pay that much) | 4% |
| Typical net profit at month 12 (low / median / high) | $0 / $0 / $1,000 |
Commissioned authors with strong samples earn the advances; most Hosted Games sell modestly. AI-generated prose/code/art is banned, so production stays manual. Long development times mean many writers see no income in the first year.
Pricing strategy
Publisher sets price; aim for a longer game with replay value, since length and reviews drive sales and price tier.
Path to profit
- Month 0: learn ChoiceScript, draft outline (cost $0)
- Month 1-9: write 30k-100k words, public beta
- Month 9-12: release; typical first-year Hosted Game royalties $20-$300/month at launch, fading
Business-plan sources:
- https://www.choiceofgames.com/looking-for-writers/
- https://www.choiceofgames.com/looking-for-writers/write-a-hosted-game/
Payout path
- Methods: electronic deposit, PayPal, cheque
- Minimum payout: milestone advances; royalties per publisher schedule
- Frequency: per milestone / periodic royalties
- Typical delay: 90 days
- Notes: Royalty payment frequency not stated on official pages (re-checked Nov 2026). PayPal only in supported countries.
Full cycle (setup → earn → bank account)
- Write/pitch
- Beta
- Contract
- Publish
- Royalties
- Payout
What can be automated
- Automated ChoiceScript tests (randomtest/quicktest)
Unavoidable manual steps
- Write every branch
- Public beta
- Revisions
Legality & compliance
Writing and selling original text is legal in all reference countries; royalties are taxable.
- Compliance requirements: publishing contract (exclusive electronic licence); no AI content
- Platform availability: Contracts open to writers worldwide; paid via electronic deposit, PayPal or cheque. Authors in countries without a US tax treaty must contact Choice of Games before submitting.
Risks
- Year+ timeline
- Royalty income varies widely
- AI ban
Evidence that people get paid
Official pages give advance milestones and the 25% Hosted Games royalty.
Sources
- https://www.choiceofgames.com/looking-for-writers/
- https://www.choiceofgames.com/looking-for-writers/write-a-hosted-game/
Tags: fiction, games, advance
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