Reader Variables and Customization

Reader variables and customization

Reader variables let each reader personalize names, pronouns, descriptions, preferences, and other details that appear in a story. They are separate from Game State and do not require an active game.

If you still need to choose between Reader and Game scope or compare their types, start with Reader and Game Variables.

Create a reader variable

Open Edit Story, enable Readers can customize story variables, and choose Add Reader Variable. Enter a name, choose a type, set its default, and save the story.

Use {reader:name} in chapter text to show the value. For example:

Welcome back, {reader:name}.

Reader variables can also appear in story titles, subtitles, and synopses, as well as chapter titles, chapter text, answers, and follow-up questions. Use the exact name and capitalization shown on Story variables.

Let the reader choose a value

Readers can change reader variables through Customize. Until a reader saves a different value, the story's default is used.

To let the reader edit a value without leaving the chapter, add an inline field such as:

{input reader:name}

Reader Inputs explains the supported placement, labels, save behavior, validation, and active-game independence of that field.

Chapter text can update as soon as an inline value is saved. A title, answer, or follow-up question may update after the reader continues or reloads the page. Reader values do not change merely because the reader enters a chapter.

Understand each type

Reader inputs follow the variable's type:

• Text returns to its default when the reader leaves the field blank.
• Dropdown accepts one of its configured choices.
• Number and Percent accept values within their ranges, including decimals.
• Age accepts a whole number from 18 through 150.
• Yes/No presents two choices.

Reader Number and Percent values may include decimals. Reader Age values are whole numbers.

For a Dropdown, choices appear in the order entered by the author. Selecting a different default does not move that choice. Blank and repeated choices are ignored, keeping the first occurrence. If the default is empty or no longer matches an available choice, the first choice is used.

If an older saved reader value no longer fits the variable's type or Dropdown choices, the current default is shown instead.

Arrange reader variables

Use Move Up and Move Down while editing the story to arrange the fields shown under Customize. Reader-variable definition order changes that form's field order only; it does not change the saved values or the result of a condition.

The reader-variable Insert list in the chapter editor keeps definition order. Game-variable quick-insert shortcuts use a different alphabetical order.

Change an existing definition

Before renaming a reader variable or changing its type:

1. Search story details, chapter titles and text, answers, follow-up questions, inline inputs, and conditional text for the old name.
2. Update every typed reference with the exact new capitalization.
3. Test the story with a saved reader choice as well as the default.

Reader-variable references need this manual review. Changing a reader variable's type does not rewrite a reader's older saved choice; when that choice is no longer valid, the new default is used.

Before publishing

Check that:

1. the default works anywhere the reader has not customized the value;
2. Customize shows fields and Dropdown choices in the intended order;
3. Number and Percent decimals and the Age range behave as intended;
4. every title, answer, question, input, condition, and prose substitution uses the exact name;
5. changing a value updates chapter text and later page surfaces as expected.

Older reader-variable syntax

Older stories may use {name} instead of {reader:name}. This remains available, but the reader: form is clearer for new writing. Keep working older syntax unchanged unless the story is being carefully revised.