A Dark Room

Self-Hosted

Minimalist text-based survival game with emergent storytelling

Overview

A text-based survival game starting with a single match in a dark room. Features resource management (gathering wood, hunting, crafting), exploration of a mysterious post-apocalyptic world, and a rich narrative that unfolds as you progress. Self-hostable via static files or Node.js server—deploy on any web host or local environment to play offline or share with others.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  a_dark_room:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: a-dark-room
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Text-only interface with atmospheric, emergent storytelling
Resource management and survival mechanics (crafting, hunting, base building)
Exploration of a vast, mysterious world beyond the initial dark room
Lightweight and easy to self-host via static files or Node.js

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is A Dark Room hard to install?

No—installation is simple. Clone the GitHub repo, install dependencies with npm, and start the server locally. Alternatively, host the static files on any web server (like Apache/Nginx) for offline or shared play.

? Is it a good alternative to 80 Days?

Yes—while it leans more into survival than 80 Days' travel narrative, it offers immersive text-based storytelling. Unlike 80 Days, it’s free/open-source and self-hostable, making it accessible offline.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—A Dark Room is fully free under the MIT License. You can download, play, modify, and self-host it without any costs or subscriptions.

Top Alternatives

The Ensign (proprietary, same universe) Search Google

80 Days (proprietary text-based adventure) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Games

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Open-source under MIT License (free to use/modify)
⊕ Lightweight—requires minimal server resources
⊕ Deep narrative that rewards patient exploration

Cons

⊖ Text-only interface may not appeal to graphical game fans
⊖ Limited visual feedback (focus on text over imagery)
⊖ Basic setup needed for self-hosting (web server or Node.js knowledge)