Frequently Asked Questions for The Great Play Marathon (Jan 19 2026)
Q: What is The Great Play Marathon?
The Great Play Marathon (GPM) is a community event designed to encourage more play of previously-published games. Unlike past events such as the Free IF Playoffs and the People’s Champion Tournament, this time the focus of the competition is on the players instead of the games.
Q: What kind of competition is this?
The not-very-serious kind. The main point is to encourage the discovery and enjoyment of some highly-rated games that, for whatever reason, you have not played before. Although there will be awards issued to the players to celebrate those who make outstanding contributions or achieve exceptional goals, this is secondary to your own enjoyment.
Q: How will this event work?
A group of 54 games will be selected randomly from the top 10% of games on IFDB that have at least 5 ratings. This set of games will be arranged in a 9x6 grid of squares called the field.
Before the event starts, registered players (aka runners) will choose a color and a starting position, according to the type of course chosen. When the marathon begins, players will play the games in the order determined by their chosen course. As players complete each game, their progress will be reflected on the graphical representation of the field.
Players can optionally post reports and/or reviews based on their play experience, and those that do will be eligible to win awards around that kind of activity. (This is highly encouraged but not required.)
Q: What is the official field of games?
The official field has not yet been determined, but it is expected to be finalized no later than mid-March 2026, i.e. six weeks before the marathon starts.
As of Jan 19 2026, some details of the way the field will be structured have been worked out while others are still being defined. Most importantly, there is an ongoing vote by participants to choose one of three different fields. If you think you might be interested in signing up as a runner, come and join the discussion!
Q: My game is listed on the field, but I'm not sure that I want it to be. What should I do?
If you would prefer that your own game not be on the field, then let me know by PM, and I will replace it with the next available qualifying game from the sorted list.
Q: My game is listed on the field, and it appeared in a previous play event. Can I substitute a different game of mine?
If a game of yours that is on the field has also appeared in a previous play event (i.e. FIFP or PCT), then upon request I will replace it with another game authored by you, so long as the replacement meets the criteria for games in the selection pool. (See “How will games be selected for the official field?”)
If you’re unsure which of your games meet the qualification criteria, I’m happy to send a list by PM.
Q: How will games be selected for the official field?
An adjusted rating was determined for every game found in IFDB data, using the most recent public backup. The adjusted rating uses the scoring formula from the IFDB Top 100 list, which means that a game’s actual existing ratings (as of the backup date) is combined with 14 all-game average values to determine an adjusted average rating.
Commercial games, games marked as pornographic/erotic, and games with fewer than 5 actual IFDB ratings were eliminated, reducing the pool of candidates. Three field options, drawing from the top 10%, top 12.5% and top 15% of highest-rated remaining games were extracted.
Within each extracted set, each game was assigned a random decimal number between 0 and 1. For each extracted set, the games were then sorted according to the randomly-assigned number. For each extracted set, the first 54 entries from the sorted list were selected as the games for the prospective field (A, B or C).
Games were arranged on each prospective field using an automated process that tries to group similar games together based on similarity according to IFDB data analysis.
Any game be found to not meet qualification criteria will be eliminated. The disqualified game will be removed from the field, and the next game on the sorted list used for that field (i.e. row 55 for the first replacement) will be put in its place.
Q: But... a random selection seems so arbitrary!
It’s not wholly random; each game in the candidate pool has garnered at least a handful of high ratings from IFDB users, so there is a good likelihood that you will find it to be enjoyable.
This method ensures that some (but hopefully not too many) popular and well-known games will appear on the field alongside lesser-known games that may be undiscovered gems. It also ensures a variety of genres, styles and platforms. The hope is that any player will see several games that are of interest on the field.
Also, three different versions of the field have been placed up for a vote by Great Play Marathon participants. See “What is the official field of games?” for more information.
Q: What types of courses can be chosen?
Players will elect one of four possible courses:
- a short course of 6 games
- a medium course of 9 games
- a long course of 12 games
- a free running course of player-selected length
See questions below for more details on each type of course. Illustrated examples of each type of course can be found here.
Q: How does a short course work?
A short course is six games long and runs from one of the field’s long sides to the other. This type of course can start at any game on the top or bottom row and proceed across the middle of the field to the other side.
Courses do not have to be straight; zig-zagging on diagonals is allowed. However, since there will be six rows total, each next game chosen must be on a different row in order to make it across the field in six moves.
Q: How does a medium course work?
A medium course is nine games long and runs from one of the field’s short sides to the other. This type of course can start at any game on the leftmost or rightmost column and proceed across the middle of the field to the other side.
Courses do not have to be straight; zig-zagging on diagonals is allowed. However, since there will be nine columns total, each next game chosen must be on a different column in order to make it across the field in nine moves.
Q: How does a long course work?
A long course is twelve games long and runs from one of the field’s long sides to the other, then back.
This type of course can start at any game on the top or bottom row and proceed across the middle of the field to the other side. On reaching the far side, the next game chosen must be to the right or left of that row, without leaving the row. (This is the only time that a game on the same row can be chosen for a legal long course.)
The player must then proceed back across the row to the other side, without revisiting any game played on the first half of the course.
Courses do not have to be straight; zig-zagging on diagonals is allowed. However, since there will be six rows total, each next game chosen must be on a different row in order to make it across the field, with the exception of the “turnaround” game chosen on the same row at the halfway point.
Q: How does a free running course work?
A free running course is one that proceeds according to the whim of the runner. There is no fixed length, and a runner may play as few or as many games as are preferred.
In addition, free runners are allowed to start anywhere on the field, and to move in any direction when choosing the next game. Any previously-crossed game cannot be repeated, however, so free runners must take care not to accidentally box themselves into a corner.
Q: Am I supposed to complete the entire game, or just try it?
In order to count a square as successfully crossed, you’re supposed to complete the entire game. To “complete” a game in this context means to have reached at least one of the game’s formal conclusions, even if it is not the best/final ending.
Q: What if the game doesn't really have an end?
Some listings on IFDB are for IF that has no specific ending or set of endings. If that’s the case, then just play it for as long as you like. Ideally, that will be long enough to make some observation that you can share in discussion.
Q: What if there's a game I've already played?
If it’s part of a course you would like to run, then you can play it again!
See how your perception of the game changes on replay. Try to find a different ending, if there is one. Look through walkthroughs, hints, and/or reviews to search out hidden secrets that you didn’t find the first time.
If you don’t want to replay the game, then you are encouraged to try to find a different route for your course. Since diagonal movement is allowed, it’s usually possible to bypass any single game without preventing you from following a legal course.
Q: What if there's a game I've already tried but never finished?
If it’s part of a course you would like to run, then you can take this opportunity to finish it!
Q: What if there's a game I've already tried but never finished because I didn't like it?
If it’s part of a course you would like to run, you’re encouraged to give it a second try. Sometimes a game is much more enjoyable and/or interesting on a second (or later) attempt.
Q: What if I start a game that it turns out I just don't like?
You’re under no obligation to finish any game, but only games that you have finished can count as legal moves. Some possible courses of action in this situation include:
- choosing a different legal move from your last completed game that will let you finish your chosen course type
- switching to a free running course and going around that game
- making use of hints or walkthroughs to finish the game quickly
Q: What if the game is written in a language that I don't know?
Sometimes a highly-rated game is published in more than one language. If you would prefer to play a different language edition of the same game, that’s OK, and you can count the square as crossed if you finish the translated version.
If the game is not available in a language that you know, it’s also OK to play the game via a translation service.
Q: What kinds of awards will there be for players?
The complete list has not yet been determined, but you can expect to see awards for:
- fastest completion of each type of course
- most challenging selection of games for each type of course
- longest free running course
- most reviews posted (on intfiction, IFDB or other sites)
- best reviews posted (on IFDB, as measured by agreements)
- most comments in discussions (here on intfiction)
- best comments in discussions (as measured by likes)
If you have ideas for awards, please feel free to suggest them!
Q: When will the marathon happen?
The Great Play Marathon will run from May 1st, 2026 through July 31st, 2026. This puts it between Spring Thing and IFComp.
Q: When is the registration deadline?
To be official players, runners must register no later than 11:59 PM UTC on April 30, 2026.
If registering very late, please be sure that all necessary signup information is provided when doing so. (See “How do I register?”)
Q: How do I register?
You can register by one of the following methods:
- Post on this thread.
- Send a PM to @otistdog.
When registering, please indicate:
- your chosen icon color (See “How do I choose an icon color, and why?”)
- the type of course that you plan to run (See “What types of courses can be chosen?”)
You will be assigned a number based on the order of registration, and this number will be part of your runner icon.
Since the field has not yet been determined, you will be asked later to specify your starting square.
Q: How do I choose an icon color, and why?
Any 24-bit color value, e.g. a web-style color code like #FF0000 for bright red, can be chosen. This color will be used for the icon representing you on the field. You can send or post the color code, or send or post a small image of a square in that color.
Since some colors that are different as codes can also be quite close visually, each runner will also be assigned a number based on the order of registration, and that number will be part of the runner’s icon.
Note that, in case of more than one runner choosing the same color, color selection will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: How will my number be assigned?
Numbers will be assigned in order of registration, starting at #1.
Q: Will I have to specify my starting square in advance?
Yes, so that I can show all the runners in their starting positions on the graphical representation of the field.
Q: Do I have to specify my course in advance?
No. Before the marathon begins, you will need to specify the type of course that you plan to run and your starting position, but you are not required to lay out your entire intended course in advance.
During the marathon, you will be free to switch your planned course or even the type of course, if you decide to do that. (See “Can I change my mind about my chosen course?”)
Q: Can I change my mind about things like my icon color and starting position?
You can do those things before the marathon starts. Just send a PM, and I’ll make the update.
After the marathon begins, you’ll be stuck with your most recent choice.
Q: Can I change my mind about my chosen course?
Yes. You can take any path that you like, so long as it follows the rules for movement for your course type. If you are running a short or medium course, that means that the next game that you choose must be adjacent (including along diagonals) to the game that you just completed, and it must move you closer to your goal (i.e. the opposite side from which you started).
The rules for movement are different for those running long courses and for free runners. (See “How does a long course work?” and “How does a free running course work?” for details.)
Q: I see some games that I want to play, but they don't really make a course. Can I still participate?
Yes!
Although you won’t be an official runner, this whole event is about discovering and enjoying new games. Feel free to participate on an unofficial and “a la carte” manner. You can still contribute to discussions, share your play experiences, write reviews, etc.
Q: Oh, no! I found out about this too late and missed the registration! Can I still participate?
Yes!
Although you won’t be an official runner, this whole event is about discovering and enjoying new games. Feel free to participate in discussions, share your play experiences, write reviews, etc.
