Overview
🌐 1.1 Online Mode: Create & Play Without Limits!
Welcome to the Anzir Author Platform! We are dedicated to providing powerful tools and resources for AnzirAct creators, empowering you to craft immersive and interactive murder mystery experiences with ease.🕵️♂️✨
As a new feature of our platform, Online Mode offers creators greater flexibility by allowing players to progress through the story without a Game Master (GM). Using our editor, you can freely configure scenes, characters, narratives, props, and multimedia elements to design diverse gameplay experiences.
Compared to traditional offline modes, Online Mode features:
GM-Free Experience: Players can explore the story autonomously.
Full Customization: Design scenes, character relationships, branching plots, and interactive mechanics.
Multimedia Support: Enhance immersion with images, audio, and video.
Real-Time Interaction: Engage players with choices, Q&A mechanics, countdowns, and more.
Ready to Create Your First GM-Free Mystery?
👉 Jump to the next section to start designing!
1.2 Who’s It For?
Online Mode is perfect for creators and players of all kinds, including:
AnzirAct Writers 🎭
Want to craft interactive online AnzirActs? This is your playground.
Used to Game Master-led games? Try Online storytelling!
Love using multimedia (audio, video, animations) to boost immersion? We’ve got you.
Game Developers & Designers 🎮
Obsessed with interactive narratives? Build richer experiences here.
Have coding/game design skills? Explore "AnzirAct + Gamification"!
Players & Mystery Lovers 🕵️♂️
Love solving puzzles and immersive plots? Try creating your own!
Want to write private AnzirActs for friends or communities? Start here!
Basic Project
2.1 Scene: Setting the Stage
2.1.1 Scene Function
Scenes serve as the fundamental building blocks of your script. Each scene can incorporate characters, text, choices, props, audio, and video to construct various stages of the story and guide players through the narrative progression.
In Online Mode, the core functions of scenes include:
Story Progression: Setting the conditions for players to move from one scene to another, enabling non-linear storytelling.
Interactive Experience: You can configure different interaction methods such as dialogues, choices, quizzes, etc., allowing players to freely explore the scene.
Multimedia Immersion: Supporting audio, video, and images to make scenes more vivid.
2.1.2 Start and End Scenes
Starting Scene:
The beginning of the script, where all players start their adventure.
You can set background stories, character assignments, and other content here.
Ending Scene:
The endpoint of the script, determining the final outcome for the players.
Supports multiple endings, where players' choices influence the outcome.
2.1.3 Scene Lists
The scene list is where you manage all your scenes. Here you can:
Add New Scenes
Edit Existing Scenes (Modify descriptions, associate characters, etc.)
Delete Unnecessary Scenes
Adjust Scene Order (Ensure story continuity)
🔔 Example:
Scene Name | Associated Characters | Entry Condition |
Abandoned Hospital Hall | Doctor, Nurse | Complete "Enter Hospital" task |
Underground Lab | Scientist, Experiment | Have "Access Card" prop |
Mysterious Town | Traveler, Tavern Owner | Trigger "Escape" branch |
2.1.4 Controlling Scene Flow
In the flow setting, you can connect scenes according to the story logic to form a complete narrative.
You can set:
Fixed Storyline: Progress in a fixed order, such as A → B → C.
Branching Choices: Players' choices influence the following scenes, for example:
Choose "Investigate Room" → Enter "Secret Room"
Choose "Leave Immediately" → Enter "External Corridor"
Prop/Status Triggers: For example:
Only after obtaining the Mysterious Key can players enter the Underground Lab.
If health ≤ 0, the game automatically enters the Death Scene.
2.1.5 Creating New Scenes
When creating a new scene, you need to configure the following content:
✅ Scene Name: Give the scene a name for easy management.
✅ Scene Description: Provide a detailed description of the scene’s environment, atmosphere, etc.
✅ Transition Conditions: Configure how players progress from this scene (e.g., requiring specific stuffs, completing tasks, etc.).
✅ Scene Interactions: Support adding text, select, timers, question, etc.
🔔 Example:
Scene Name: Abandoned Hospital Lobby
Scene Description: A dilapidated hospital lobby with cracked walls and the smell of disinfectant lingering in the air.
Transition Conditions: Transition available after completing prerequisite plot [Entering the Hospital].
2.2 Character: Bring Them to Life
2.2.1 Character Settings
Characters are the core elements of the script, divided into player characters (played by players) and NPC characters (controlled by the system). Each character can have independent settings, attributes, and story branches, influencing the progression of the story.
Character Functions
Drive Story Development: Characters’ actions, dialogues, and choices determine the storyline.
Personalized Settings: Characters can have name, alias, description, tags, and exclusive props.
Multiple Character Support: Supports multiple characters, allowing different players to play different roles, providing differentiated experiences.
Hidden Identity/Truth: You can set hidden information for characters that will gradually be revealed as the story progresses.
Character Setting Content
Field | Description |
Character Name (Required) | The official name of the character, visible to players. |
Character Alias (Optional) | Alias or hidden identity for the character, useful for puzzles or identity shifts. |
Character Description | The character's background story, personality traits, etc. |
Character Tags | Customizable character categories such as "Doctor", "Detective", "Villain". |
🔔 Example：
Character Name: Doctor
Character Alias: Unknown Scientist
Character Description: A scientist working in the lab, seemingly hiding a secret.
Character Tags: Scientist, Mysterious
2.2.2 NPC Management
NPCs (Non-Player Characters) are not controlled by players but are used to assist in story development, such as task givers, clue providers, or antagonists.
NPC Features
Automatically Respond to Player Actions: NPCs can have preset lines, dialogue branches, and event triggers.
Drive Story Development: NPCs provide critical clues, trigger tasks, and guide players through the story.
Not Player-Controlled: NPCs will not appear in the player’s character selection list.
NPC Setting Content
Field | Description |
NPC Name (Required) | The official name of the NPC. |
NPC Description | Background, personality, and appearance of the NPC. |
Story Role | The NPC’s key role in the story. |
Dialogue Content | Preset lines and dialogue options for the NPC. |
🔔 Example：
NPC Name: The Old Butler
NPC Description: An elderly butler who knows the family’s secrets.
Story Role: Provides critical clues at key moments to help players solve the mystery.
Dialogue Content:
"Young one, this mansion hides many untold secrets..."
[Player Option] "Tell me everything!" / "I don’t trust you."
(Different choices will affect the storyline.)
Trigger Conditions: NPC is triggered after the player finds the “Old Diary” in the study.
2.3 Story & Progression: Drive the Narrative
2.3.1 Crafting the Script
Text is the core means of expression in the script, covering scene descriptions, character dialogues, narration, system prompts, and other content.
Text not only conveys information but can also enhance immersion through trigger conditions, sound effects, images, and other media elements.
Text Functions
Plain Text: Used for background descriptions, narration, etc.
Multimedia Integration: You can attach audio, images, or videos to enrich the experience.
Text Settings
Field | Description |
Text Content | The specific lines or narratives. |
Multimedia | Attach audio, video, or images related to the text. |
🔔 Example：
Text content:
Character A: "It seems like something happened here..."
System Prompt: "You feel a chill, as if something is drawing near."
2.3.2 The Game Room
The game room is the core space of the Online AnzirAct game, where players can experience the script together, interact, and progress the storyline. Each game room is linked to a script and follows the set flow.
Game Room Features
Player Management: Supports player joining/leaving the room and setting role allocation rules.
Real-time Interaction: Supports text chat, voice communication, storyline discussions, etc.
Game Room Settings
Field | Description |
Room Name | Customizable room name for easy identification |
Player Count | Set the maximum number of players allowed |
Interaction Type | Supports text, voice, emojis, and other forms of interaction |
🔔 Example：
Game Room Name: Midnight Mystery
Player Count: 6/8
Current Plot: Abandoned Hospital Lobby
Interaction Type: Text & Voice
2.3.3 Mapping the Plot
The story path map is a visual structure diagram of the script, showing story progression, branching relationships, and the number of endings, helping authors plan the storyline.
Path Map Features
Global Visualization: Displays all story nodes and connection relationships.
Automatic Connection Lines: The system automatically generates story branches based on the script settings.
Path Point Time Management: Each node can set an estimated game duration to optimize the pacing.
Path Map Settings
Field | Description |
Path Point | Represents key story nodes (scenes, choices, endings, etc.) |
Cover Image | Upload an image for the node to enhance visual appeal |
Connection Type | Automatically generated by the system |
Reference Duration | Estimated time for the segment to optimize pacing |
🔔 Example：
Path Points:
Starting Point → Choice 1 → Secret Room → Ending A
Starting Point → Choice 2 → Dialogue Scene → Ending B
Cover Image: Upload "Abandoned Hospital Lobby" image
Reference Duration: 30 minutes
Resource Management: Tools of the Trade
3.1 Stuffs & Clues
Function: Props and clues are important elements for player interaction with the storyline. Props can advance the story, unlock new scenes, or trigger special events, while clues help players solve the mystery.
Configuration Items:
Stuff Name: Name the stuff.
Stuff Description: Describe the stuff's appearance and function in detail.
Distribution Conditions: Set conditions for distributing the stuff, including whether it can be made public, shared, used, and transferred.
🔔 Example:
Stuff Name: Laboratory Key
Stuff Description: A rusty key that appears to open some important door.
Acquisition Condition: Complete the plot "Find the Key"
3.2 Stuff Pool
Function: The stuff pool is the storage for all available stuffs and clues. Players need to use stuffs to access the contents of the stuff pool. Stuff pool management allows setting rules and acquisition methods for the stuffs.
Configuration Items:
Stuff List: List all available stuffs.
Drop Rules: Set the drop conditions and acquisition methods for the stuffs.
Acquisition Conditions: The stuff pool can be unlocked by consuming a certain number of stuffs. For example, opening a stuff pool may require consuming 10 stuffs.
🔔 Example:
Stuff List: Laboratory Key, Medical Kit, Diary
Acquisition Conditions: Consume 10 "Laboratory Keys" to open the stuff pool
3.3 Question System
Function: The Q&A mechanism enhances interaction between characters and players. Players' answers may affect the storyline or unlock important props.
Configuration Items:
Question Content: Input the specific question.
Answer Options: Set multiple answer options for the player to choose from.
Correct Answer: Specify the correct answer.
Story Impact: Based on the player's choice, affect the subsequent storyline or prop status.
🔔 Example:
Question Content: What do you think is the secret of the laboratory?
Answer Options: A. Biochemical Experiment B. Time Machine C. Alien Technology
Correct Answer: A
Story Impact: Choosing A enters the "Biochemical Crisis" storyline.
3.4 Decision Making
Function: The Select allows players to make decisions at key moments. Different choices will affect the storyline and game ending.
Configuration Items:
Choice Content: Input the specific choice content, such as "How will you enter the laboratory?"
Options: Set multiple options for the player to choose from.
Story Impact: Set how different choices will impact the storyline, such as changing character relationships, prop status, or subsequent events.
🔔 Example:
Choice Content: How do you decide to enter the laboratory?
Options: A. Use the key B. Forcefully break in
Story Impact: Choosing A leads to the "Secret Infiltration" storyline, choosing B triggers the "Alarm Activated" storyline.
3.5 Character Conversations
Function: Conversations is an important tool for advancing the story, deepening character relationships, or providing key clues.
Configuration Items:
Conversation Content: Input specific dialogue content.
Associated Characters: Specify the characters involved in the dialogue.
Trigger Conditions: Set the conditions to trigger the dialogue, such as entering a specific scene or choosing a specific action.
🔔 Example:
Conversation Content
Character A: "We must leave here quickly!"
Character B: "But we need to find the secret of the laboratory!"
Associated Characters: Character A, Character B
Trigger Conditions: Enter the scene "Mysterious Laboratory"
Performance: Enhancing Player Experience
4.1 Video Insertion
Function: Insert videos in specific scenes to enhance immersion. Videos are an important tool to improve the script's expressiveness and deepen players' understanding of the story's background and plot.
Configuration Items:
Video File: Upload or select the video file.
Play Conditions: Set the conditions for playing the video, such as completing a specific plot or triggering a specific event.
Associated Scene: Specify the scene where the video will play.
🔔 Example:
Video File: Laboratory Explosion Video
Play Conditions: Complete the "Laboratory Explosion" storyline
Associated Scene: Mysterious Laboratory
4.2 Audio & BGM
Function: Audio and background music are used to enhance the atmosphere of the game and improve the player's immersive experience. It can be used for background music, environmental sound effects, character dialogue, etc.
Configuration Items:
Audio File: Upload or select the audio file.
Play Conditions: Set the conditions for playing the audio.
Associated Scene: Specify the scene where the audio will play.
🔔 Example:
Audio File: Tension Background Music
Play Conditions: Enter the "Abandoned Hospital Lobby" scene
Associated Scene: Abandoned Hospital Lobby
4.3 Image Display
Function: Images are used to showcase key scenes and assist in storytelling. Visual elements help strengthen the player's recognition and immersion in the scene.
Configuration Items:
Image File: Upload or select the image file.
Display Conditions: Set the conditions for displaying the image, such as entering a specific scene or performing a specific action.
Associated Scene: Specify the scene where the image will display.
🔔 Example:
Image File: Photo of the Laboratory Interior
Display Conditions: Enter the scene "Mysterious Laboratory"
Associated Scene: Mysterious Laboratory
4.4 Timer & Countdown
Function: Set a countdown timer to increase tension. The timer is used to specify a time limit for completing certain tasks, enhancing the sense of urgency.
Configuration Items:
Time Setting: Set the countdown time (e.g., 10 minutes).
Trigger Conditions: Set the conditions to start the timer, such as entering a specific scene or triggering a specific event.
Associated Scene: Specify the scene where the timer will start.
🔔 Example:
Time Setting: 10 minutes
Trigger Conditions: Enter the scene "Mysterious Laboratory"
Associated Scene: Mysterious Laboratory
4.5 User Actions
Function: Control the variables, story transitions, and other logic within the script. User execution is an important tool for managing the script's flow and interaction, helping to create a dynamic storytelling experience.
Configuration Items:
Execution Conditions: Set the conditions to trigger the executor, usually related to the story progress or the player's choice.
Execution Action: Specify the actions triggered by the executor, such as variable changes, story transitions, unlocking new scenes, etc.
🔔 Example:
Execution Conditions: Complete the "Find the Key" storyline
Execution Action: Transition to the "Mysterious Laboratory" scene
FAQ: Quick Fixes & Fun Tips
5.1 How to Start a New Online AnzirAct?
Answer:
To create a new AnzirAct, follow these steps:
Log in to Anzir Author Studio：https://author.anzirtech.com/
Click "Create New AnzirAct” at homepage
Enter basic information (name, genre, duration)
Build your story (scenes, characters, interactions)
Save and publish when ready
5.2 How to Test My AnzirAct?
Answer:
Access the Anzir Author Studio：https://author.anzirtech.com/
Finalize AnzirAct creation or modifications
Open "Test Setting" to automatically launch the simulation environment
Verify proper functioning of scenes, conversation flow, and interactions during testing
Implement corrections and retest if any issues are identified
5.3 Scenes Out of Order?
Answer:
To adjust the scene order, follow these steps:
Enter the scenes editing interface.
Locate the "Scene Management" section.
Click and drag the scene order to the desired position.
After saving the changes, the scene order will be updated.
5.4 Audio/Video Not Working
Answer:
Possible reasons for audio or video not playing:
The file format is incompatible. Ensure that the audio or video file is in a supported format (e.g., mp3, mp4).
There was an error during file upload. Try re-uploading the file.
The play conditions have not been met. Check whether the trigger conditions are set correctly.
Network connection issues. Ensure a stable network connection.