MMORPG's vs. MUD's
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
I saw an article here about online gaming, and thought I should clarify a bit the differences between two types: MUDs and MMORPGs.
MUDs, text-based online RPG's, have been around for sometime, and allow players to enter into any number of different worlds and roleplay different characters.
Lately, though, MMORPG's, or Massively Multiplayer Online RPG's, such as Everquest, Ultima Online, Asheron's Call, and others, have become very popular. Often though, these games aren't as much about roleplaying as text-based MUD's are, because players have less control over what exactly they can do. What I mean is, in a MUD, your character can do just about anything that you can type. Little gestures, backflips, whatever. In MMORPG's, the player's actions are limited to what the developers have animated the characters to do. This can make for much more limited roleplaying. Similarily, in MUD's, you have much greater control over what your character looks like. In MMORPG's, once again the player is limited to pre-made graphics.
Many people don't like the text-based nature of MUDs. These people prefer to see their characters rather than imagine them. For them, MMORPG's are clearly superior.Other people value pure roleplaying over high-tech graphics and sound. For them, MUDs are the better choice.To me, both are fun, in different ways. I play Asheron's Call usually, but when I feel like some serious roleplaying, I log on to Eternal visions, a great little MUD I like to play.
I see that I've rambled a little here, and I'm not exactly an english Major, so please forgive the grammar(or lack therof).
MUDs, text-based online RPG's, have been around for sometime, and allow players to enter into any number of different worlds and roleplay different characters.
Lately, though, MMORPG's, or Massively Multiplayer Online RPG's, such as Everquest, Ultima Online, Asheron's Call, and others, have become very popular. Often though, these games aren't as much about roleplaying as text-based MUD's are, because players have less control over what exactly they can do. What I mean is, in a MUD, your character can do just about anything that you can type. Little gestures, backflips, whatever. In MMORPG's, the player's actions are limited to what the developers have animated the characters to do. This can make for much more limited roleplaying. Similarily, in MUD's, you have much greater control over what your character looks like. In MMORPG's, once again the player is limited to pre-made graphics.
Many people don't like the text-based nature of MUDs. These people prefer to see their characters rather than imagine them. For them, MMORPG's are clearly superior.Other people value pure roleplaying over high-tech graphics and sound. For them, MUDs are the better choice.To me, both are fun, in different ways. I play Asheron's Call usually, but when I feel like some serious roleplaying, I log on to Eternal visions, a great little MUD I like to play.
I see that I've rambled a little here, and I'm not exactly an english Major, so please forgive the grammar(or lack therof).
