MUDs

[Samuel]

There seems to be a fair amount of discussion about video games, but given that this is goodreads, I imagine there are a lot of people who are interested in or would be interested in games of a more literary persuasion (and games sans the video). For those unaware, MUDs are a sort of massively-multiplayer game with a text interface. You interact with the world and other players via text and environments are similarly a series of written descriptions. If you've played pencil-and-paper RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons, it's a lot like that, but with a computer as the GM and potentially hundreds of players on at a time in a big persistent world.

The learning curve tends to be a little steep, but the rewards are often well worth the struggle. As compared to video games, the production cost of text means that virtually anything is possible. Fantastical landscapes and intricate descriptions don't require art assets, so it's much easier to create a world of breathtaking depth and size. Many MUDs (including the one below), tend to have far more room for player-created content since any player could, for instance, design clothing in the game (so being a tailour means more than just sewing premade templates). Also, because they're not catering to a huge audience, most of the games are willing to take more risks. A lot of them have entirely player-run governments for instance - so cities aren't just settings, but actual organisations where players can significantly affect the political landscape of the world. Perhaps more to the point, there is actually a meaningful political landscape to the world. Mechanically, the games can also offer very deep and elaborate systems (combat for instance) that would be difficult or economically risky to implement in video games.

Most importantly for many people though, the game is one with multiple players. And it isn't just cooperative/competitive play as in a video game, it's true roleplaying (acting in-character, without reference to yourself or the real world) with everything from politicking to philosophical discussion to sitting in a bar and chatting in-character to proselytizing for a religious sect that a character belongs to. MUDs do vary, however, in how strictly roleplaying is enforced (how big a problem it is if you say something out-of-character).

I've been playing Achaea (www.achaea.com) for about a decade and I still find new and wonderful things every day. There's a wonderful community and the games is free. It has all of the things mentioned above (RP is enforced and it's assumed that you'll try to maintain a clear separation of in-character and out-of-character interaction, but not enforced particularly strictly).

Note that the game is supported by a cash shop of sorts (I think, historically speaking, the actual -first- cash shop in any game) that you are aren't in any way obligated to participate in (there is no gated content, and, if you do buy things, they're permanent - not some "super-powerful item for a week" nonsense). Note that, if you do want to buy things, there's also a membership thingy (again, there's no gated content, it just gives you a few of the cash-shop currency per month), so those who eventually do what to throw money at the company for maintaining a neat game and are more comfortable with a monthly MMO-esque model can go that route. But again, you can certainly play without paying and money has nothing whatsoever to do with the roleplaying and exploration, which are, at least for me, the most enjoyable part. I simply mention it because some people feel inexplicably cheated when they discover that it's -possible- to spend money on something they thought was free, even if it isn't by any means -required-.

Does anyone else play any other MUDs?

[[deleted user]]

Sounds cool, I need to flex my RPG muscles a bit as im just about to start learning pen and paper. It looks interesting, thanks for sharing.

[Michele]

I did, but that was in the early 90's with tintin for Linux. It consumed vast swathes of my life like nothing else would again until World of Warcraft. There was always just a few more exp to get, just as soon as I level, when my group is done with this... I'll quit. I still occasionally IM a guy that I befriended on a MUD in those days.

[Cari]

Yes, I have heard of MUDs. My husband explained it to me, but have not played one yet. Ive been enjoying playing Diablo III, Skyrim, Aion, and Guild Wars too much! I guess the graphics is what attracts me to them over text only type gameplay, but I may just give the MUD a shot! Thanks for the in-depth description :)

[Peta]

I played on the Discworld MUD for a few years before going cold turkey around 2006. I absolutely loved my experience and easily had as much fun playing a text-based game as I have had playing games with gorgeous graphics like Skyrim, etc.

I know how easily I get sucked in though (and how much time I invested in the other MUD!) so I don't dare start another one. Although I am pretty sure some of my old mudder friends went over the Achaea...

[[deleted user]]

Strangely I think I would find it more immersive than a normal game like skyrim.

[Jennifer]

I used to MUD on StickMud in the mid-90s. I think it is/was based in Finland. It had a great story, relied a lot on Monty Python jokes, and I even learned a bit about Finnish culture!

I miss MUDding, because I really enjoyed the fact that I could play even on a rubbish internet connection as it was all text based. I didn't know they even still existed in that form! :)

[Caitlin]

My ex still plays a MUD called Act of War.

[[deleted user]]

I just tried it out and am enjoying it, just did a small tutorial and have forgotten what the text commands are already.
Samuel just a quick question, what classes are cool, I usually play a paladin type or a priest but im going to be doing proper rpging which I have never done before and I wouldnt be able to become a pirate if I fancied as a priest or paladin would I?

[Kimberly]

Oh man, I used to play MUDs and MUSHes all the time. I even used to code for some of 'em. I didn't think any were around any more...