MUD Topics:
Once connected to the MUD, the user can either create a new character
or use a character they have already created. The program prompts
the user, once connected, to decide which of these options they
wish to use. When the user needs to create a new character, they
are given several prompts to create the type of character they
want. The four choices in most MUDs are Cleric, Fighter, Mage,
and Thief. The user selects which class of character they wish
to create, the gender, and has an option of entering a description
for their character. They also are prompted to assign a name
and password for the character so that, in the future, every time
they wish to play using that character they have a way of accessing
it. If the user has an existing character which they wish to
use, they can log on to the MUD using the character's name and
the password selected when they first made the character.
The Game Environment
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When the character enters the game, they are usually put in some
sort of "safe room" where nothing can harm their character
and they can get their bearings or rest their character. The
first thing that a new user should always do when they enter a
MUD is learn how to look around at their surroundings. By typing
"look" the user prompts the machine to provide
a description of their character's surroundings. This includes
all exits from the room the character is currently in. Note this
command is for every room a character goes into, or any time the
user wants a description of the room they're in.
The directions a user can go from any given room are listed under
the room description. Simply typing the letter of the direction
the person wishes their character to exit to makes the character
go in that direction (i.e. "u" for "up", "s"
for "South", etc.).
Once in the game, the user encounters what are known as "MOBs"
("mobile" encounters) and other users who have connected
just as they have. The "MOBs" are part of the program,
made to respond to the users in certain ways to make the game
interesting. Also, most MOBs are there for the characters to
battle, allowing them to gain experience and gain levels, becoming
more powerful.
Characters can only do what the program allows them to do. Every
character operates by the rules of the MUD. The other characters
are under the control of some other user who has logged on to
the same MUD server. Users can either play the game alone, by
simply navigating their character through the game and the encounters
therein, or they can "group" with other users' characters
and go on the adventures as a team. If in a group, the group
is usually led by the most powerful member, who is known as the
"tank"
The user plays the game by going around and gathering equipment
and then using the equipment to fight "MOBs". By doing
this, the user's character gains "experience points".
All members of a group gain experience points when the group successfully
encounters and combats a MOB. The more experience points the
user earns, the higher his character's level will become. When
the character reaches higher levels, they get more abilities,
and the user is able to use the character in encounters with higher
level MOBs, and explore more areas of the MUD. When the character
reaches a certain level, they actually become "God characters"
and have even more special abilities. Once they reach this level,
however, they can't play the game with that character as a normal
player, because they are granted power to alter MOBs and playing
as a normal character really doesn't provide the same challenge
or entertainment.
Why would I want to MUD?
MUDding is a popular tool for
communication and form of entertainment. When a person logs on
to a MUD, not only do they have the opportunity to engage in an
imaginative role playing game, but they have the opportunity to
communicate with other users from all over the world in this fantasy
setting.
How do I find an address for a MUD?
MUD addresses can
be found most easily through newsgroups or through running a "search"
on MUD in your browser. Some Internet books might also contain
various MUD addresses. To start you off, here are a few good places to look:
What do I do once I connect to the MUD?
Once connected
to the MUD, you first create a character with which to enter the
MUD and play the game.
What is a Cleric?
A Cleric is a character class users
can choose when creating their characters. Clerics are the "holy
persons", using divinely granted magical spells to heal people
and handle encounters and obstacles within the game.
What is a Fighter?
A Fighter is another character class
that can be selected for a new character. Fighters are the strongest
characters physically, and have the most skill with weaponry.
What is a Mage?
Mages are the magic-user characters who
cast various spells for offensive and defensive purposes in the
game to deal with encounters and obstacles.
What is a Thief?
Thief characters are those characters
who can sneak around and backstab opponents. They are better
with weapons than Mages or Clerics, but not as good as Fighters.
Look:
Used to gain information on the character's surroundings
and the current exits to the character's location.
N, S, E, W, U, D:
Used to navigate through the game by
telling the MUD program which exit the character will use or which
direction that character wishes to leave by.
Follow:
This command makes the character follow another
character. In order to "group" with people, all the
characters must first follow the same person, who is usually the
group's "tank" (most powerful/highest level member).
Look <character_name>:
This command gives a description
of the character's appearance being looked at.
Who is controlling the other characters?
The other characters
encountered in the MUD are other people somewhere in the world
who have connected to the same MUD server to play the game.
What is "Soloing?"
When a user decides to travel
through the game alone and deal with the encounters by themselves,
they are "soloing".;
What is "Grouping?"
"Grouping" is
when the character joins with a group of characters so that they
can collectively battle more powerful opponents, thereby gaining
more experience and better equipment than they could by soloing.
What is a "tank?"
A "tank" is the
person who leads the attack when a group encounters a MOB. This
person takes all the damage when the MOB strikes back.
What is a "MOB?"
A "MOB" is a "mobile
encounter" that is generated within the MUD's program. These
are the "monsters" or interesting obstacles that the
characters encounter and deal with in order to gain experience.
What is a level?
A character's level denotes the amount
of experience that character has from playing the game. The higher
the level, the more or more difficult MOBs they have battled with
and conquered.
What are "experience points" and how do I get them?
Experience points are awarded to characters when they successfully
encounter a MOB and, usually, destroy it.
They tell how
many MOBs the character has encountered successfully and show
how high of a level the character is at.