# \#tips **URL:** https://forum.choiceofgames.com/tag/tips/106.md [Latest](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/tags.md) --- ## [How I deal with the \*rand stats screen bug](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-i-deal-with-the-rand-stats-screen-bug/179639)
**Author:** [@Dioti](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Dioti)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2026, 7:23am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-i-deal-with-the-rand-stats-screen-bug/179639 "2026-10-19T07:23:08Z")
So the \*rand stats screen bug is a classic at this point but for those unaware, this bug occurs when you use \*rand on a page, enter the Stats screen and return. This forces the page you were on to reload and your previou… --- ## [ChoiceForge — Visual node-based editor for ChoiceScript ](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/choiceforge-visual-node-based-editor-for-choicescript/177575)
**Author:** [@Vinicius\_Assumpcao\_d](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Vinicius_Assumpcao_d)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2026, 5:33pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/choiceforge-visual-node-based-editor-for-choicescript/177575 "2026-10-06T17:33:19Z")
Hey all, If you’ve ever opened a ChoiceScript project, stared at thirty \`.txt\` files, and silently counted \`goto\` labels to figure out where Chapter 3 connects to Chapter 5 — this is for you. I’ve been building \*\*Choic… --- ## [Are there fairy / Diana Wynne Jones inspired games or projects?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/are-there-fairy-diana-wynne-jones-inspired-games-or-projects/178924)
**Author:** [@Elster](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Elster)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/are-there-fairy-diana-wynne-jones-inspired-games-or-projects/178924 "2026-08-22T20:00:34Z")
Hey there, I’ve played a lot of CoG since 2014ish and have not come across a game that features themes like Diana Wynne Jones books or fairies / old English fae lore. The closest games I can think of are A Midsummer Ni… --- ## [How to maintain MC's love life with relationship stats with other characters](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-to-maintain-mcs-love-life-with-relationship-stats-with-other-characters/178503)
**Author:** [@Elemental](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Elemental)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-to-maintain-mcs-love-life-with-relationship-stats-with-other-characters/178503 "2026-08-16T22:57:31Z")
I am curious how everyone deal with trying to romance a specific character or more while balancing it with maintaining relationship stats with other characters that may become essential to the MC, plot and ending --- ## [Things I wish I'd known writing my first ChoiceScript game (+ add yours)](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/things-i-wish-id-known-writing-my-first-choicescript-game-add-yours/178153)
**Author:** [@asimon](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/asimon)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2026, 8:38am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/things-i-wish-id-known-writing-my-first-choicescript-game-add-yours/178153 "2026-08-14T08:38:02Z")
I’m still new-ish to writing ChoiceScript and crowd-sourcing organization best practices. What helped you muscle through your first game, or what have you learned and adopted to make the process easier for yourself? Her… --- ## [How do you plan your Evil Character?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-do-you-plan-your-evil-character/120467)
**Author:** [@E\_RedMark](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/E_RedMark)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-do-you-plan-your-evil-character/120467 "2026-08-10T16:00:09Z")
Hi, I thought this was something that should be dissected and talked about. And while the forum has made some suggestions on existing topics like ‘Vilain profile’ as in what makes the perfect Vilain, I like to dig a bit … --- ## [CSIDE (or coding in general) tutorial](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/cside-or-coding-in-general-tutorial/178760)
**Author:** [@LilPaixao](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/LilPaixao)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2026, 3:28am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/cside-or-coding-in-general-tutorial/178760 "2026-08-10T03:28:01Z")
Well, that’s my first ever topic, so if anything is wrong, I’m reeeeeally sorry. But okay, to the question. Recently I got inspiration and after years of playing Choicescript games, decided to make my own (wowwwww). On… --- ## [How much planning do you do before writing?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-much-planning-do-you-do-before-writing/178528)
**Author:** [@Innis](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Innis)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2026, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-much-planning-do-you-do-before-writing/178528 "2026-07-25T20:50:43Z")
I’m about to start a rewrite for an unlisted demo because of extensive back end retcons. Certain things were half baked in the past, and I’ve fleshed out those pain points. Despite that, I’m still unsure on a number of … --- ## [Choicescript or writing/coding tips and tricks ✨](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/choicescript-or-writing-coding-tips-and-tricks/178349)
**Author:** [@Doriana-Gray](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Doriana-Gray)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 12:41pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/choicescript-or-writing-coding-tips-and-tricks/178349 "2026-07-14T12:41:45Z")
Hi! Quick thing, I just realised I could do selectable if and if at the same time, and wanted to share it, even if many might already know :laughing: But it’s gonna save me some time, so I thought I’d put it out here, a… --- ## [Is there a way to use hover-over text in ChoiceScript?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-use-hover-over-text-in-choicescript/178176)
**Author:** [@gracierocket](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/gracierocket)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2026, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-use-hover-over-text-in-choicescript/178176 "2026-06-28T14:23:10Z")
Hi all, Does anyone know of a way to include hover-over text over words in ChoiceScript? Someone has asked for a glossary of the nautical terms in my game, and I thought it might be nice to just press on the word to ge… --- ## [Is there a way to set parameters for a numerical variable?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-set-parameters-for-a-numerical-variable/178041)
**Author:** [@gracierocket](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/gracierocket)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2026, 10:58am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-set-parameters-for-a-numerical-variable/178041 "2026-06-22T10:58:55Z")
Hi all, I’ve just introduced a minor character who has a lot of power, but is only in the game for like two chapters. Instead of giving em a proper percentage relationship score, I decided to just assign a 1, 2, or 3 fo… --- ## [Losing my mind over "It is illegal to fall out of a \*choice statement; you must \*goto or \*finish before the end of the indented block."](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/losing-my-mind-over-it-is-illegal-to-fall-out-of-a-choice-statement-you-must-goto-or-finish-before-the-end-of-the-indented-block/177262)
**Author:** [@sarahlily](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/sarahlily)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/losing-my-mind-over-it-is-illegal-to-fall-out-of-a-choice-statement-you-must-goto-or-finish-before-the-end-of-the-indented-block/177262 "2026-05-08T17:31:56Z")
Okay guys. I started teaching myself ChoiceScript ONE DAY AGO so give me a break if it sucks and is super convoluted. I just need help figuring out if/else/elseif and the error message “line 67 of party: It is illegal to… --- ## [Issues with negative numbers in combat system](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/issues-with-negative-numbers-in-combat-system/176966)
**Author:** [@The\_Great\_Michael](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/The_Great_Michael)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/issues-with-negative-numbers-in-combat-system/176966 "2026-04-19T00:10:31Z")
Evenening ladies and gentleman, I have encountered some bemusing issues when trying to create a combat system for my own choice game that being 2 things: Damage can be avoided through a block function. Currently the c… --- ## [【中文教程】各位 ChoiceScript 的中文用户，你们好～ | \[Chinese Translation\] Complete ChoiceScript Official Guide now available](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/choicescript-chinese-translation-complete-choicescript-official-guide-now-available/176624)
**Author:** [@AnderIndex](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/AnderIndex)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/choicescript-chinese-translation-complete-choicescript-official-guide-now-available/176624 "2026-03-27T02:18:26Z")
不论你是对 ChoiceScript 感兴趣还是需要寻找 ChoiceScript 的教程，我想说的是，我已经做好了完整的官方翻译。 欢迎来： ChoiceScript 指南 查看我做的翻译。 祝愿各位创作者，灵感爆棚，才思泉涌～ :hugs: (This part is translated for the moderators.) Hello everyone! I’m excited to share that I h… --- ## [Mobile App IDE for Choicescript](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/mobile-app-ide-for-choicescript/176313)
**Author:** [@Novachrome](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Novachrome)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2026, 9:53pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/mobile-app-ide-for-choicescript/176313 "2026-03-04T21:53:59Z")
Hey Everyone My name is Nova and I am a digital artist and smol dev trying to write My own story I was wondering if the Community be interested in a mobile app IDE for editing their choicescript projects?? It would be … --- ## [What does "Illegal to fall out of a choice statement" mean?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/what-does-illegal-to-fall-out-of-a-choice-statement-mean/176114)
**Author:** [@DiabloObsidian](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/DiabloObsidian)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 11:31am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/what-does-illegal-to-fall-out-of-a-choice-statement-mean/176114 "2026-02-22T11:31:36Z")
Yeah I’m lost lol --- ## [Tips and advice wanted!](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/tips-and-advice-wanted/176058)
**Author:** [@DarkSaint223](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/DarkSaint223)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2026, 5:33am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/tips-and-advice-wanted/176058 "2026-02-19T05:33:49Z")
Hi, so I’m very new to coding and writing this kind of stuff so I’m looking for advice on what I should be doing. Currently I’m using a Mac laptop and am doing everything on text editor and Crome. Any advice would be awe… --- ## ["Couldn't extract another token" error](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/couldnt-extract-another-token-error/176011)
**Author:** [@rahaastrife](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/rahaastrife)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/couldnt-extract-another-token-error/176011 "2026-02-16T00:12:18Z")
I’m trying to make romance options’ names vary based on player sexuality. My startup code is fine (if lengthy), but when I try to show the relationships chart in the stats page, it comes back with “choicescript\_stats lin… --- ## [Can I compile appearance traits in the stats page?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/can-i-compile-appearance-traits-in-the-stats-page/175997)
**Author:** [@rahaastrife](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/rahaastrife)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 7:17am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/can-i-compile-appearance-traits-in-the-stats-page/175997 "2026-02-15T07:17:21Z")
I have all the code set up in the startup, but I’m wondering if I can get my stats page to list the customizable name/appearance traits in a full sentence/sentences. For example, could I get it to display “Your name is $… --- ## [Any thread that guides new writer how to code?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/any-thread-that-guides-new-writer-how-to-code/175902)
**Author:** [@1raya](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/1raya)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2026, 11:54am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/any-thread-that-guides-new-writer-how-to-code/175902 "2026-02-09T11:54:32Z")
i have a story to tell and don’t know how to code…. --- ## [Zombie Exodus Safe Haven (ZESH) Guides](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/zombie-exodus-safe-haven-zesh-guides/52256)
**Author:** [@Bracks](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Bracks)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2026, 6:26am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/zombie-exodus-safe-haven-zesh-guides/52256 "2026-02-09T06:26:10Z")
(Updated! 5-15-24 See below and the bottom) Hey all, I have posted a perfect game guide. Many of my decisions can be adapted to other roles so it is not limited to any background. JIMD has approved what I provided. It … --- ## [New writer: How do I get the server to launch? Serve.command didn't work](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/new-writer-how-do-i-get-the-server-to-launch-serve-command-didnt-work/175688)
**Author:** [@Heavy\_Wheeze](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Heavy_Wheeze)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/new-writer-how-do-i-get-the-server-to-launch-serve-command-didnt-work/175688 "2026-01-24T20:14:41Z")
Hey fellow writers, I was trying to get setup so that I could start to learn the syntax and work on the game and ran into a little bit of trouble. Since you have all been through this before, I figured I’d ask around. I… --- ## [I'm writing a Greek Mythology IF; give me some ideas on what characters/heroes/deities you'd like to see in it!](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/im-writing-a-greek-mythology-if-give-me-some-ideas-on-what-characters-heroes-deities-youd-like-to-see-in-it/161804)
**Author:** [@Shaunak\_Paul](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Shaunak_Paul)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 9:51am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/im-writing-a-greek-mythology-if-give-me-some-ideas-on-what-characters-heroes-deities-youd-like-to-see-in-it/161804 "2026-01-01T09:51:23Z")
Ye, pretty self-explanatory title. I currently have the outline of an adventure character-driven IF that takes place in Ancient Hellas(Greece) during the height of the Age of Gods. I’m not keen on giving a release date f… --- ## [Is the code correct?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/is-the-code-correct/175044)
**Author:** [@Fusion\_Ultimatum](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Fusion_Ultimatum)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2025, 4:24am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/is-the-code-correct/175044 "2025-12-17T04:24:55Z")
Can I use multiple \*if statements inside an option like this? \*selectable\_if ((have\_weapon = "yes") and (weapon\_health \> 0) and (stamina \>= 10) and (ultra\_attack = "learned") and (combat\_type = "strongarm")) # Put full … --- ## [Can you publish a submitted game on Itchio](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/can-you-publish-a-submitted-game-on-itchio/174397)
**Author:** [@Fusion\_Ultimatum](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Fusion_Ultimatum)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2025, 10:10am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/can-you-publish-a-submitted-game-on-itchio/174397 "2025-11-09T10:10:56Z")
If your game has been submitted, is it possible to self-publish on Itcho or any other platforms? Is it against the rules to do so? I submitted my game and am waiting for the content to be reviewed, but I was also hoping… --- ## [When to stop altering primary stats, and start altering secondary stats](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/when-to-stop-altering-primary-stats-and-start-altering-secondary-stats/174316)
**Author:** [@gracierocket](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/gracierocket)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/when-to-stop-altering-primary-stats-and-start-altering-secondary-stats/174316 "2025-11-05T21:35:14Z")
OK, I suspect the answers to a lot of these questions will turn out to be ‘how long is a piece of string’, so if that’s the case, I’m hoping for ballpark answers. Assuming a game has 10 chapters, for how many chapters w… --- ## [How do I teach VSC to autocomplete from @ or $?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-do-i-teach-vsc-to-autocomplete-from-or/174273)
**Author:** [@gracierocket](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/gracierocket)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/how-do-i-teach-vsc-to-autocomplete-from-or/174273 "2025-11-03T13:36:29Z")
Hi all, I’m writing my game in Visual Studio Code, using the excellent ChoiceScript plugin (side note to whoever made the plugin: thank you, you have saved me so many hours!!). Only thing is, the plugin doesn’t doesn’t … --- ## [Alphabetical Array Sorting](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/alphabetical-array-sorting/174213)
**Author:** [@Bob\_Ross2](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Bob_Ross2)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2025, 5:26am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/alphabetical-array-sorting/174213 "2025-10-31T05:26:35Z")
Hi! I ended up needing a way to sort large, ever-growing arrays alphabetically without compromising the original array’s indexes. Regardless, if anyone ever finds the need to sort their own arrays, here’s my solutions: P… --- ## [I am so confused](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/i-am-so-confused/173561)
**Author:** [@Kaden\_Munroe](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Kaden_Munroe)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/i-am-so-confused/173561 "2025-09-24T20:11:40Z")
So I just started out today with choice script. I’m on a crappy windows 7 laptop. Im trying to get the default story from the text file to copy over to the game server. It’s not there and the directions confused me. Any … --- ## [Choice of The Vampire: The Ultimate GUIDE!?](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/choice-of-the-vampire-the-ultimate-guide/104436)
**Author:** [@JapaniKatti](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/JapaniKatti)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2025, 6:46am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/choice-of-the-vampire-the-ultimate-guide/104436 "2025-09-16T06:46:19Z")
I have started a guide! It’s really at the beginning, but just wanted to share it around and hear some thoughts. Also would like to extend a question, does the name of the character matter at all, like is there events… [Next page](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/tag/tips/106.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=tips)