How to Play Inkduel

A competitive storytelling game where you face off against AI

Quick Start

  1. Read the opening: The judge provides a story starter to set the scene
  2. Take turns writing: You write a response, then the AI writes a response
  3. Watch your character limit: Each round has different character constraints
  4. Get judged: AI judges score each response from 1-10
  5. Win the game: Highest average score after 5 rounds wins!

Game Flow

Opening Sentence (Judge)

The game starts with an AI-generated opening that sets the genre, setting, character, and initial conflict. This sentence is NOT scored - it's just the starting point.

Round 1-5 (You vs AI)

Your turn: Write a response that continues the story within the character limit.
AI's turn: The AI responds immediately with its own response.
Judges evaluate: Judges score both responses from 1-10 with detailed feedback.

Final Results

After 5 rounds (10 total sentences), the game calculates your average score vs the AI's average score. Highest average wins!

How Scoring Works

The Judge

Each game has an AI judge who evaluates both your responses and the AI's responses. The judge values creativity, coherence, and entertainment value.

Score Range

The judge scores your response from 1-10:
1-3 = Poor quality or doesn't fit the story
4-6 = Acceptable but unremarkable
7-8 = Good quality with strong elements
9-10 = Excellent, creative, engaging

Final Score

Your final score is the average of all your responses. The AI's final score is calculated the same way. Whoever has the higher average wins!

Understanding the Scoreboard

The scoreboard at the top of the game shows real-time progress:

Quick Tips

Keep it flowing: Make sure your response connects naturally to the previous one
Use vivid details: Specific, sensory details score higher than generic descriptions
Read judge feedback: Click "Details" on any score to see why the judge scored you that way
Create an account: Sign up to save your stories and track your progress over time
Start Playing