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From Aeonian Dreams
So what's a MUD?
The term MUD is an acronym for Multi-User Dungeon, which is the most popular
definition, but also known as multi-user dimension or mult-user domain. These
all refer to the multiple connection or multiple player aspect of the playing
environment, as opposed to the single player environment of original games such
as Dungeons and Dragons or Dungeon and Zork.
Well that's very interesting, but what is it?
As its basic level, an application running on a server which accepts multiple
host connections. The ASCII text aspect of MUDs, which many see as one of their
weaknesses can also be a strength in the sense they are very economic
applications to run in memory terms and to host many multiple connections. This
is one of the reasons many MUDs are free to play, due to the fairly low overhead
costs of running them.
ASCII text? What's that all about?
Text is the primary communication medium of most MUDs, although there are some
graphical based ones around, but that is the primary means of the application
program, MUD or game to feedback and communicate with you and other players. It
does this in a variety of different ways from giving you room descriptions, exit
descriptions, look direction descriptions, look mobile descriptions and mobile
communications.
What's mobile communications?
Mobiles or 'mobs' in its shortened version are the MUD generated characters or
'non-player characters' (NPC's for short) as opposed to the 'player characters'
(PC for short) that play the MUD. In the same way that you can communicate with
other players (PC's) you can also communicate with mobiles (NPC's) using the
same communications methods.
Why would I want to communicate with a player or a mobile?
The multiple player aspect of MUDs and the ability to communicate with other
players of varying abilities and experiences elswhere in the world is one of
its most attractive features. You can always ask other players for
help and advice if you get stuck or simply need some assistance over the
established 'communication channels'. It's an excellent way to get to know other players
and to make new friends, sharing common experiences or interests.
In exactly the same way you communicate with other players, you can communicate with mobiles by asking them questions or saying a keyword that may prompt them to answer you. Bear in mind all 'mobiles' are basically 'automated scripts' so your question or keyword will need to match one they're scripted to answer or they prompt you to give them.
Interaction and communication with mobiles is a key component of the gameplay and will often need to be entered into if you hope to complete a quest or other task given to you.
Quests? Tasks? What do I have to do?
You'll often come across a Mobile who will speak to you as you enter a room. You
can simply ignore them if you wish, or for the more curious undertake whatever
task they may assign to you. Asking about keywords, often highlighted in the
speeh text will prompt further dialogue, sometimes you simply need to 'request
a job' from a Mobile or some are more puzzle orientated in nature and it's up to
you to decide how best to approach them.
The Quests or tasks you may be assigned will be relatively simple in nature, rising in complexity and difficulty as your experience, level and skills increase. At lower levels Mobile generated Quests tend to be as simple as locating a certain item and returning it to the Mobile who requested it or another of their choice. For completing this successfully you will usually receive some kind of reward that can range from gold, experience, quest points or even equipment and clothing.
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