Gender attributes change during adventure

Game Development ChoiceScript Help
1

Hello!

I noticed that one of the best IF novels, “Vampire: The Masquerade,” has specific choices for gender (they, them, etc.). That means that throughout the text, possessive and personal pronouns will have to change if characters talk to or refer to the player.

I have decided to use a code like this so far. Any suggestions, or there’s a better way to do it?
Because there would be an issue with letter capitalization using this method.
Thanks in advance!

Select your gender.

Your adventure could vary depending on the gender you choose.
*choice
  #Male
    *set gender "Male"
    *set subject_pronoun "he"
    *set object_pronoun "him"
    *set possessive_pronoun "his"
    *goto age
  #Female
    *set gender "Female"
    *set subject_pronoun "she"
    *set object_pronoun "her"
    *set possessive_pronoun "her"
    *goto age
  #Other
    *goto gender

*label gender
Describe your gender.
*input_text Gender
*goto pronouns

*label pronouns
What subject pronoun do you use? (e.g., he, she, they, etc.)

*input_text subject_pronoun

What object pronoun do you use? (e.g., him, her, them, etc.)
*input_text object_pronoun

What possessive pronoun do you use? (e.g., his, her, their, etc.)
*input_text possessive_pronoun 

Your character will now be referred to as ${gender}, using ${subject_pronoun}/${object_pronoun}/${possessive_pronoun}.
*goto age

*label age
*label continue_story

The general glares at you, eyes full of rage. "You dare to challenge me?"  

${subject_pronoun} step[s] forward, refusing to back down.  

"You will regret this!" the general roars. "Guards, seize ${object_pronoun}!"  

The soldiers hesitate for a moment, glancing at each other. "Are you sure, sir?" one of them asks.  

"Of course!" the general snaps. "I want ${possessive_pronoun} head on a spike by morning!"  

You smirk, gripping your weapon tighter. "You'll have to try harder than that," ${subject_pronoun} say[s].  

*choice
    #Attack the general head-on.
        *goto fight
    #Try to negotiate.
        *goto negotiate
    #Make a run for it.
        *goto escape
1 Like
2

I use multireplace for that, assigning the gender variable to a number (0, 1, 2). Then, when I need to use subject pronoun, it becomes this:

@{(gender+1) he|she|they}

If I need to use object pronoun, it becomes @{(gender+1) his|hers|theirs}.

This can be woven into the text itself, e.g.

"Is it, though?" Elanor questions, making a motion at you with his hand. "We're not there yet. There's still time to change @{(gender+1) his|her|their} mind."
1 Like
3

You can use an exclamation mark to capitalise a variable, like this:

$!{subject_pronoun} will print as He or She or They depending on what it’s been set to.

I’d recommend using a variable for pronouns over using multireplace because it removes the risk of typos and means you can edit it a lot more easily.

I made a pronoun template over here which may be helpful to take a look at:

7 Likes
4

So, everybody is basically using the same type of method. Good to know.
Thanks everyone!