If you're looking for a Backyard AI alternative, NovelAI is another top option. It's a subscription service that includes AI for authoring, storytelling and virtual friends. It's got a lot of features, including text adventure modules, image generation, encrypted storage and customizable AI modules, and NovelAI is geared for interactive fiction. It's got a range of prices to accommodate different needs, so it's good for both hobbyists and pros.
Another alternative worth mentioning is Private LLM, which is geared for privacy and offline use. This local AI chatbot for iOS and macOS supports a variety of open-source LLM models and has features like grammar checking, summarization and text expansion in multiple languages. With full privacy and security, customizable system prompts and integration with Siri and Shortcuts, Private LLM is geared for individuals and families who want a private, local AI assistant that doesn't need a network connection or subscription.
If you want a more powerful storytelling foundation, StoryNest.ai is an AI-powered tool to build stories, novels and interactive narratives. It's got tools for character creation, world-building, AI-assisted editing and voice narration, among other features. It can handle multiple formats and lets writers work in tandem with AI and other writers, so it's good for collaborative storytelling. You can sign up for a free account to try it out.
Last, AI Adventure is an open-source text-based RPG experience with the latest AI technology. It lets you build your own adventures with a powerful editor, generate images and audio, and swap in your own language models and prompts. It's good for people who want to build and share their own text-based adventures, with built-in mechanisms for transactions and community interaction.