h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What's a "MUD" anyway?

MUD = 1.1. What is a MUD?

(NOTE: THis is copy pastse document and may not represent the views and or belifes of darakat in any way at all)

A MUD (Multiple User Dimension, Multiple User Dungeon, or Multiple User Dialogue) is a computer program which users can log into and explore. Each user takes control of a computerized persona/avatar/incarnation/character. You can walk around, chat with other characters, explore dangerous monster-infested areas, solve puzzles, and even create your very own rooms, descriptions and items. You can also get lost or confused if you jump right in, so be sure to read this document before starting.

For a nice anecdote about the origin of the name, I quote Richard Bartle, co-author of the first MUD:
[...] I am WELL aware what "MUD" stands for, and maybe once every 2 months have to tell someone. The "D" does stand for "Dungeon", but not because the original MUD (which I co-wrote) had a dungeon in it; rather it was because there was a hacked-up version of Zork doing the rounds at the time, which bore the name "Dungeon". We thought that this program would act as the archetype for single-player adventure games, so we called our game "Multi-User Dungeon" in an effort to convey some feeling of what the program did. As it happened, the genre was promptly called "Adventure games" after the Colossal Caves game "Adventure", so we were wrong in that respect. By then, though, we had our acronym.

Going by this definition, multi-user Quake certainly qualified as a full-fleged MUD, as you can wander around and affect your environment, and can communicate with other players. In the interests of sanity, however, this FAQ will only cover the more traditional primarily text-based MUDs.

1.2. What different kinds of MUDs are there?

You'll notice the disclaimer on this FAQ mentions TinyMUD. That's one common type of MUD, but there are many different types of MUDs out there. The Tiny- and Teeny- family of MUDs are usually more social in orientation; the players on those MUDs tend to gather, chat, meet friends, make jokes, and discuss all kinds of things.

The LP- family of MUDs, including Diku and AberMUD, are usually based on roleplaying adventure games; the players on those MUDs tend to run around in groups or alone killing monsters, solving puzzles, and gaining experience in the quest to become a wizard.

There are still other types of MUDs, such as MOOs, UnterMUDs, and so forth. Each type has its own unique style, and players are rarely forced to stick to one type of playing - there's no rule that says an LPMUD _must_ be a combat-oriented MUD, or that a TinyMUSH _must not_ be a combat-oriented MUD. We suggest that you experiment around with several different types of MUDs to see what you find is the most interesting. If there's one thing MUDdom has, it's variety.

You may wish to check out the LPMud FAQ, posted to the rec.games.mud.lp newsgroup periodically by George Reese.

1.3. Where are MUDs located?

There are many services available which provide up-to-date lists of currently-running muds. A list of some of these sites is available at http://www.mudconnect.com/resources/Mud_Resources:Mud_Lists.html.

http://www.mudconnect.com/ - provides a frequently updated list of text-based muds (1400+ at the moment) as well as site and mud player/staff reviews, several search engines including a categorical search (to search on 'Pern-based' muds, for example), active discussions boards, mud resources, and a players' directory.

http://mudlist.eorbit.net/ - large (3000+ muds at the moment) list of text based muds, updated automatically every week. The site includes lists of web pages which refer to each mud, and extensive text based search capabilities.

MUDs are run on many fine computers across the world. To play, all you have to do is telnet to the MUD's Internet Protocol Port, and you're in business. Some MUDs have a policy called registration to cut down on abuse of privileges; you might have to send mail to the administrator of the MUD in order to obtain a character. It's important to note that MUDs are not a right, and your access is granted out of trust. People usually have to pay to use processing time on the large, expensive computers which MUDs often run on, and you're being given a special deal. Which brings us to another point: MUDs can't really be run on anything less than a largish workstation (currently), so they're usually on academic or corporate workhorse machines.

Ami Ant has told me about this RPG stuff.
Fascinating stuff. Like cyber theater eh?

I'd like to "apply" (any applying.. isn't it just joining?


I am a *expert* on Baldur's Gate, Tales of the Sword coast expansion, Shadows of Amn, and its expansion, Throne of Bhaal. I know almost everything there is to know about them.
I have all but about 2 of the Dungeons and Dragons books, and though I've played very little, I know nearly every rule they have. (Expert on rules and technical stuff, not on DMing)

DMing is a fine art. Somthing that takes time, patience, and most of all a evil sense of humor.

I've tried and I'm really bad at it.
I wish I could do it a lot better

Well its apprently not for everyone.

Okay - I'd like to join also! Have played Diablo for years! I am also a big fan of Warcraft III. But I like all kinds of games. The Sims was fun. But I got tired of drowning them in the pool so that my hauted mansion had lots of tombstones around it... I also play Age of Empires II on my Mac. Games I played in the past: Might & Magic VII, Icewind Dale. And I liked the Command and Conquer games a lot also - especially Yuri's Revenge!

So sign me up!

This place is suddenly very busy

All the geeks coming out of the woodwork...
-Rivaine

for some reason it said on the info page that this page had just been created, I think...

I think the Info page people have a lot of backlog...

Yeah, the front page needs to be updated; I did some checking and, as of now, the club is over a year old. The really sad thing is that only about five or six of the people registered come here regularly.

Hmmm...Maybe what we need is to start playing an online RPG or something...

(Hint, hint-Wink, wink)

Well I have the rules for one here somewhere (looks arround)...

Wait. You mean online RPGs have different rules than non-online RPGs? Wouldn't we just convert a non-online (like D&D) to online?

if you like, but its harder.

yeah. there's a lot fo talking involved. RPing onlien simply, usually, follows the rules of Continuity, with no technicalities, and everyone tries to make it fair. that is, you have to be willing to lose, if it is necessary for the drama.
You usually also make a lot of stuff up like fancy moves, and often RPing is very silly.

*shoots a gravy gun*

*dodges the hot air balloon of death*
etc.

D&D woudl take absolutely forever unless it were on a real time chat room. also, another problem would be people talking at the same time, and being able to remember absolutely everything.

however if it were possible it'd be a lot of fun.

We where more sort of thinking of having in online here at the RPG club using these sorts of messages. D&D like things wouldn't be that hard here. However being the DM whould be.... Bags being DM!