AASTORY File

What are AASTORY files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an AASTORY file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your AASTORY files.

What is an AASTORY file?

An .AASTORY file is an A-machine Story file.

The A-machine Story format with extension .AASTORY is an interactive fiction story file created by compiling Dialog source code with its Dialog compiler using the Å-machine backend. It is used to package the entire story logic, resources, and interactive behaviour in a single binary that runs on interpreters targeting web browsers, retro hardware, or emulated environments.

The Dialog compiler typically writes .aastory files when told to output for the Å-machine (from version 0g/01 onward). Once produced, these files are read by Å-machine interpreters, which execute the story engine logic, handle input/output, apply styles, load embedded resources, and manage game flow. Tools such as aambundle can take a .aastory file and generate a structure ready for web deployment or making disk images for platforms like Commodore 64.

The file begins with an IFF-style structure: at offset 0 it contains the ASCII signature "FORM", followed by "AAVMHEAD" at offset 8.

How to open AASTORY files

Important: Different programs may use files with the AASTORY file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your AASTORY file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

We have not yet verified any programs for Windows that work with this specific file format. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below. Thanks!

Last updated: August 16, 2026

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