What is a Multi-User Dungeon?
A multi-user dungeon or MUD is a gaming and social concept developed in the late 1970s, when connectivity to a common server was possible for a number of people at the same time. The initial goal of the multi-user dungeon was to create places where people could explore Dungeons & Dragons themed adventures together, and also interact socially in designated chat rooms or areas. Groups of players each connecting from personal computers usually via telephone line, played together in text based language, exploring various dungeons or areas, leveling up characters, or using simple commands to perform actions within the program. The earliest multi-user dungeon types were developed at universities. In particular, the University of Illinois and the University of Essex both could connect people from their universities (and outside of them) for social interaction. The first real game on these early systems was called Oubliette, and was created at the University of Illinois for their system. It wa
A multi-user dungeon, more commonly called a MUD, is a purely text-based game where many people play in the same online game and interact with each other through roleplaying their characters. Treat a MUD as a book that you and the other players help to write as you play the game. You can choose to create a character which acts as a noble good knight or a character which acts as a thief and a scoundrel. There are certain rules about what kind of character you can create and play and there are certain rules about what your character can do and where they can go. These rules are defined by the gamesmasters which are also called immortals or imms. The cities which you can explore and the skills, spells and items that you can use are also governed by these rules and your characters race and character class define what you can and can’t do. For example, a rogue or a thief will have the ability to steal items from other characters, whereas a sorceror or a barbarian will not be able to steal.
