Frequently asked questions

General

What is Mintybug?

Mintybug is an AI-powered interactive fiction and RPG platform. Creators build story templates with characters, items, skills, and world mechanics. Players then use these templates to generate unique, AI-powered playthroughs where every story is different based on the choices you make.

How is Mintybug different from other AI story platforms?

Mintybug combines three things no other platform unifies: reusable creator-built templates with structured RPG mechanics, AI-powered story generation that responds to your choices, and a two-sided marketplace where both creators and players can earn. The RPG systems (items, skills, classes, maps, relationships) give stories real mechanical depth, not just freeform text generation.

What AI providers does Mintybug use?

We support multiple AI providers including OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), DeepSeek, and xAI (Grok). You can choose your preferred provider in the AI Settings. Different providers offer different writing styles and strengths, so we encourage experimenting to find your favourite.

What languages are supported?

The Platform interface is available in 8 languages. AI-generated story content can be produced in multiple languages depending on the AI provider and template configuration.

Is Mintybug free to use?

You can browse templates and create an account for free. New users receive complimentary credits to try the platform. Generating AI story content requires credits, which can be purchased in packages. Guest users can try up to 3 chapters without an account.

Accounts

How do I create an account?

Click “Sign Up” on the homepage. You can register with your email address and a password, or sign in instantly using Google. New accounts receive complimentary credits to get started.

Can I play without an account?

Yes, guest users can play up to 3 chapters for free. After that, you’ll need to create an account and have credits to continue.

How do I delete my account?

Contact us at [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] to request account deletion. Upon deletion, your account data, unused credits, and pending earnings below the withdrawal threshold will be permanently removed.

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

Click “Forgot Password” on the login page and enter your email address. You’ll receive a password reset link. If you signed up with Google OAuth, use the “Continue with Google” option instead.

Credits and Payments

What are credits?

Credits are the virtual currency used on Mintybug. They’re required to generate AI story chapters and access certain features. Different actions cost different amounts of credits.

How much do credits cost?

Credits are available in several packages at different price points. Visit the credit store on the Platform for current pricing. We accept payment through Stripe (credit/debit cards).

Are credit purchases refundable?

Credit purchases are generally non-refundable. If you experience a technical issue that prevents you from using purchased credits, contact us at [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] and we’ll work with you to resolve the situation.

How many credits does a chapter cost?

The credit cost per chapter depends on the template. Official templates have a lower per-chapter cost, while creator templates include a markup that compensates the template creator. The exact cost is always displayed before you confirm generation.

Do credits expire?

Currently, credits do not expire while your account is active. We reserve the right to introduce expiration policies with advance notice. Unused credits are forfeited if your account is terminated.

Gameplay

How does the turn system work?

Each turn, you describe your character’s actions. You can add multiple events per turn. The AI previews consequences for each event. When you’re ready, click “End Turn” to generate a full chapter that weaves all your actions into the narrative. See our “How to Play” guide for detailed instructions.

Can I edit the AI-generated story?

Yes. After each chapter is generated, you can click on any line to edit it directly, or use the AI Refinement feature for more substantial rewrites. You can also edit your events before generating the chapter.

Can I go back and make different choices?

Yes. You can navigate to any previous chapter and branch from it to explore alternative storylines. This creates a new story branch while preserving your original path.

What happens if the AI generates something I don’t like?

You have full control. Use inline editing to change specific lines, use AI Refinement to rewrite sections, or reject the chapter entirely and regenerate it. You are never locked into content you’re not happy with.

Why do different AI providers give different results?

Each AI provider has been trained differently and has its own writing style, strengths, and tendencies. Some are better at action scenes, others at dialogue or emotional depth. Experimenting with different providers is part of the fun.

For Creators

How do I become a creator?

Any registered user can create templates through the Creator Studio. Build your template by defining characters, items, skills, events, maps, and other RPG mechanics, then publish it to the marketplace.

How do I earn money as a creator?

You earn a share of credits every time a player generates a chapter using your published template. When your earnings reach the minimum withdrawal threshold, you can cash out through Stripe Connect. You’ll need to complete Stripe’s identity verification process.

What is the revenue split?

The current revenue split between creators and the Platform is published on the Platform. This split may be updated from time to time. Check the Creator Studio for the current rates.

How long before I can withdraw earnings?

Earnings are subject to a hold period (for fraud protection) before becoming eligible for withdrawal. Once the hold period passes and you’ve reached the minimum withdrawal amount, you can request a payout through your Stripe Connect dashboard.

Can I use copyrighted characters in my templates?

No. Templates must contain only original content or material you have the rights to use. Templates containing copyrighted characters, storylines, or other protected works from third parties will be removed.

What makes a good template?

Great templates have detailed characters with meaningful stats, a compelling prologue that sets the stage, varied events that respond to player choices, and well-designed RPG mechanics that create interesting decisions. Templates that give players real agency tend to be the most popular.

Content and Safety

Is there mature or NSFW content?

The Platform may host templates with mature themes. NSFW content is restricted to users who have confirmed they are of legal age and have opted in. NSFW content is generated only through designated AI providers. The availability of NSFW features may vary by jurisdiction.

How do I report inappropriate content?

Use the report button available on templates, stories, and reviews. Our moderation team reviews all reports. You can also contact us directly at [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS].

What content is prohibited?

Content depicting minors in sexual situations is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate account termination. Other prohibited content includes content that promotes violence against real individuals, content that violates applicable law, and content that infringes third-party intellectual property. See our Terms of Service for the full list.

Technical

What browsers are supported?

Mintybug works on all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. We recommend using the latest version of your browser for the best experience.

Is my data secure?

Yes. We use encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS), secure authentication, and access controls. Payment processing is handled by Stripe, which is PCI DSS compliant. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

What happens if the AI service goes down?

If an AI provider experiences an outage, you can switch to a different provider in AI Settings. Your game progress is saved, so you won’t lose anything. We monitor provider availability and work to minimise disruptions.

Can I export my stories?

Story export features are available in the My Stories page.