# Chronicler, CSIDE, or something else: What’s your creation station? **URL:** \ **Category:** Game Development\ **Created:** [November 13, 2018, 11:40am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117 "2018-11-13T11:40:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hustlertwo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/hustlertwo/32/34230_2.png) [@hustlertwo](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/hustlertwo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 11:40am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/1 "2018-11-13T11:40:00Z")
Let’s start out by saying this should be a positive topic. Whether you prefer CSIDE, Chronicler, or neither one, we are all grateful that @BenSeawalker and @CJW provided these tools to us. However, I can’t help but be curious which one you actually use for your WIPs or published stories. Please feel free to post the name of your story or stories done in the program as well. _Poll ([view on site](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![MeltingPenguins](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/meltingpenguins/32/255855_2.png) [@MeltingPenguins](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/MeltingPenguins)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 11:45am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/2 "2018-11-13T11:45:11Z")
Scrivener, because my comp is too old to run cside. Going by some posts on here however the amoubt of screaming at code is identical ---
**Author:** ![hustlertwo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/hustlertwo/32/34230_2.png) [@hustlertwo](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/hustlertwo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/3 "2018-11-13T12:35:03Z")
Forgot about Scrivener. For our something else people, is anyone else using that or are there still more options out there? ---
**Author:** ![Havenstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/havenstone/32/198451_2.png) [@Havenstone](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Havenstone)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 12:50pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/4 "2018-11-13T12:50:57Z")
I published a game written in Notepad++, and am now working on a WiP sequel in CSIDE. ---
**Author:** ![HarrisPS](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/harrisps/32/240120_2.png) [@HarrisPS](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/HarrisPS)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 1:00pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/5 "2018-11-13T13:00:03Z")
I used Sublime Text with highlighters for Blood Money, still am for Crème de la Crème. For planning, I bullet-point or flowchart on paper. ---
**Author:** ![Eiwynn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/eiwynn/32/221334_2.png) [@Eiwynn](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Eiwynn)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 1:05pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/6 "2018-11-13T13:05:53Z")
Scrivener, CSIDE and yEd graph editor is what I am currently using for the prose, coding (and testing) and planning. Scrivener and yEd for the planning and execution of the story writing and CSIDE for the scripting and execution of the game design. ---
**Author:** ![LordOfLA](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/lordofla/32/2777_2.png) [@LordOfLA](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/LordOfLA)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/7 "2018-11-13T13:06:47Z")
Are there not other topics listing tools available and syntax highlighting plugins for things like sublime text, atom, visual studio code? ---
**Author:** ![hustlertwo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/hustlertwo/32/34230_2.png) [@hustlertwo](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/hustlertwo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 1:10pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/8 "2018-11-13T13:10:25Z")
> [@LordOfLA](#): > > Are there not other topics listing tools available and syntax highlighting plugins for things like sublime text, atom, visual studio code? I have to be honest, halfway through reading your post I started to wonder if you were still writing in English. I have no idea what most of those words mean. ---
**Author:** ![GoldenSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/goldensilver/32/110153_2.png) [@GoldenSilver](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/GoldenSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/9 "2018-11-13T13:15:05Z")
I use notepad++ most of the time, I guess I’m just used to it. What I like about it the most is the double view — it’s very helpful to be able to see two parts of the same file or two different files at once. I can also easily make my own custom themes and color coding for CS on notepad++. Other useful things like making our own hotkeys and such are also good. CSIDE I use mostly for testing and word count. I also use [draw.io](http://draw.io) for making flowcharts and planning combat scenes. > **Double view** > > If anyone wants the theme and color coding that I’m using it, feel free to ask and I’ll send it to you. > > ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/original/3X/7/4/74ab5eb023f0d28125e3add119fb71fb2c548a70.png) ---
**Author:** ![will](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/will/32/132033_2.png) [@will](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/will)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/10 "2018-11-13T13:15:42Z")
Notepad++. I’ve seen the code that comes out of some of the other programs and honestly I’d rather understand everything about what I’m doing than write marginally faster but have no idea what’s happening under the hood. @GoldenSilver actually yes I’d be very interested in getting the colour coding. I don’t have colour coding. That would help a lot. ---
**Author:** ![LordOfLA](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/lordofla/32/2777_2.png) [@LordOfLA](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/LordOfLA)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/11 "2018-11-13T14:08:56Z")
Here then are the threads I was referring to: > [@Master List: Links for Beginners](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/master-list-links-for-beginners/21872): > > Since this gets asked a lot I thought I’d try and create a master list of links for beginners. If anyone wants to add links to the list please feel free to since I’m making this wiki format. [Start here for newcomers](https://www.choiceofgames.com/make-your-own-games/choicescript-intro/)[The Wiki](http://choicescriptdev.wikia.com)[ChoiceScript Basic Tutorial](http://choicescriptdev.wikia.com/wiki/A_Basic_Tutorial) on wiki [RETowers’ Tutorial](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/the-beginners-guide-to-choicescript/9866) by @RETowers[Lglasser’s Tutorial](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/choicescript-full-tutorial-finished/16130) by @Lglasser Dedicated ChoiceScript Development Tools You do not need to download or update ChoiceScript when using either of these tools. [Chronicler](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/tool-chronicler-choicescript-visual-code-editor/6811) Visual Code Editor by @Ben… > [@Best (Free) Writing app/program?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/best-free-writing-app-program/37379): > > I just got a new computer. cowboy_hat_face …But it doesn’t really have a writing program. fearful So yes, what are your suggestions for the best (preferably) free writing apps/programs? thinking Edit: For choice games, and just kinda in general. > [@Just discovered syntax highlighting for choice script on the sublime text editor](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/just-discovered-syntax-highlighting-for-choice-script-on-the-sublime-text-editor/23186): > > Not sure if this is the right place please move if needed. Anyway I noticed when adding autohotkey highlighting to my sublime text 3 install that there was also support for choice script highlighting. The “your topic is similar to” thing shows me two other threads along the same vane but this appears to be a third option available via the package control system for sublime text so I’ll link it anyway. [https://packagecontrol.io/packages/Choice%20Script](https://packagecontrol.io/packages/Choice%20Script) Those interested in the editor itself ca… and yes I should have put that third thread as a post in the first one. ---
**Author:** ![CJW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/cjw/32/111787_2.png) [@CJW](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/CJW)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/12 "2018-11-13T16:28:06Z")
> [@will](#): > > I’ve seen the code that comes out of some of the other programs and honestly I’d rather understand everything about what I’m doing than write marginally faster but have no idea what’s happening under the hood. Just want to clarify that CSIDE at least is 100% “what you see is what you get”, and does not do anything to code under the hood. ---
**Author:** ![lunawisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/lunawisp/32/85423_2.png) [@lunawisp](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/lunawisp)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/13 "2018-11-13T22:33:48Z")
I’m using CSIDE for the writing side and Freemind, open source mind mapping software, to work out the plot etc. ---
**Author:** ![Jacic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/jacic/32/7061_2.png) [@Jacic](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Jacic)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/14 "2018-11-14T00:57:05Z")
> [@hustlertwo](#): > > Forgot about Scrivener. For our something else people, is anyone else using that or are there still more options out there? I think CSIDE is a great program, but I mostly use notepad++ just because I’m apparently for set in my ways and used to the way the text and code looks on it by this stage, so find it easier to type with. I have used CSIDE and it’s great for the like adding images you can compile and word counts, but it doesn’t seem to like the spacing differences if I bring something across from notepad++ to CSIDE (seems to just be something peculiar to my computer as no one else gets that problem, I’m just lucky 🙂 ) so I can’t use the inbuilt checks in CSIDE for that reason. So I use a combo of notepad++ for writing, msword for spell checking, Firefox for gane testing and CSIDE for total word counting or adding images that can be compiled. Works for me 😁 ---
**Author:** ![will](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/will/32/132033_2.png) [@will](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/will)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/15 "2018-11-14T02:12:48Z")
I don’t spellcheck, and notepad++ has a wordcount feature, so I don’t usually use other programs for that. I do use PowerPoint as a brainstorming / organisation tool. There’s a presentation I made that has details for the entire game and all of the ROs. I’m also using Microsoft Word for a similar purpose of organisation (there are 15 “optional” shorter ROs that I’m adding in addition to the 15 featured ROs, and it made more sense to just make a table and a few paragraphs of description for each rather than a big presentation format). Sometimes I’ll write a scene in the Notes app on my phone because I don’t have access to my laptop. I just email it to myself after. I used inkarnate (look it up) to make a map for the world my story is set in, but I’ll replace it with a hand drawn and hand coloured version at some point. My girlfriend loves her coloured pencils so I might ask her to help with that. In fact a surprising amount of the game is planned and created offline. A lot of my big overarching planning documents are handwritten and then just scanned using an app on my phone. And I’m not a particularly skilled sketch artist but I’ve been practicing my skills by drawing a few of the ROs in my game. I’m actually getting better! It’s cool. I can’t draw hands worth crap though. Holy mackerel it is so difficult to draw hands, WTF. And whenever I have a difficult coding problem I post here. Often just the process of explaining the problem is enough to fix it. We live in a multimodal world. Might as well embrace it. ---
**Author:** ![Jacic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/jacic/32/7061_2.png) [@Jacic](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Jacic)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/16 "2018-11-14T02:54:16Z")
> [@will](#): > > and notepad++ has a wordcount feature, so I don’t usually use other programs for that. It does, but CSIDE will check your entire game for a total word count with and without code, that’s why I often use it in preference to notepad or Word’s count. > [@will](#): > > I don’t spellcheck Then you’re better at avoiding typos than me! ---
**Author:** ![will](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/will/32/132033_2.png) [@will](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/will)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/17 "2018-11-14T02:58:55Z")
I should spellcheck, but I don’t, ha ha. ---
**Author:** ![MeltingPenguins](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/meltingpenguins/32/255855_2.png) [@MeltingPenguins](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/MeltingPenguins)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 3:34am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/18 "2018-11-14T03:34:55Z")
Living on the edge ---
**Author:** ![lunawisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/lunawisp/32/85423_2.png) [@lunawisp](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/lunawisp)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 8:20am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/chronicler-cside-or-something-else-what-s-your-creation-station/46117/19 "2018-11-14T08:20:02Z")
It’s a potentially dodgy edge. They’re a big distraction and immersion breaker. A story has to be _really_ riveting to keep my interest after the first dozen typo’s…