Virtual world resources  (multiuser dimensions)

• About multiuser dimensions
• Frequently-Asked Questions
• World Lists
• Newsgroups
• More Information

Virtual worlds on the internet are often called 'MUDs'. MUD stands for "Multiuser Dimension" or "Multiuser Dungeon". These realtime multiuser virtual worlds began when Dungeons and Dragons players wanted to create a higher-speed, computer-based system which could act as a "Dungeon Master" -- a controller that kept track of where everyone was in a virtual world, could track special abilities and points assigned to each player, and could broker interactions between players, resident monsters, and other objects in the world.

With the introduction of a MUD server and a network, the game became faster, more fun, and much more social. With D&D, getting a game together with a dozen friends was an organizational problem. Now thousands of people could subscribe to a virtual world game, and hundreds could interact simultaneously in real-time.

MUDs became something persistent and social. Players began helping each other accomplish tasks. People acquired personalities and persistently played them. People began seeing that these persistent virtual worlds could be used for online conferences, distance learning, and specialized entertainment.

These MUDs were text-only, meaning that as you moved from location to location, you got a new text description. For example, the MUD server might type this upon entering a virtual classroom:

You have entered a classroom with 50 desks. The class topic, "Homer's Odyssey", appears on the blackboard.
A football game is visible outside the window.
Samantha, Ranah, Sung, Thi, and Professor Whang are here.
Exits: out, lecturn.

To check out the game, you might type "look out window", and to leave the class you might type "go out" or just "out". If you have played the text-only Adventure or Zork game, MUDs are essentially multiuser versions of these games.

There is a broad and loyal audience for MUDs. There are over 500 MUDs on the internet now, with 1000 to 10,000 subscribers each. Each MUD can accommodate 100 to 400 simultaneous logins. As computers move toward multimedia, the large audience for MUDs seems odd, but when we think about how social interaction plays a central role in our lives it might not seem so weird.

Often, newcomers find the whole MUD subculture somewhat overwhelming, but fascinating. These information resources will help you feel more at home in interactive online environments. If you're new to this world, you might want to start out reading parts one and two of the FAQ (Frequently-Asked Questions).

Frequently-Asked Questions &
    other basic information

FAQ Part I

Basic information on virtual worlds (Muds)

FAQ Part II

Information about Mud clients and servers

FAQ Part III (Advanced information!)

Information about the programs RWHO and MUDWHO.

The Diku Newsgroup FAQ

Information about the Diku server and code base.

The LPMud FAQ

Information about the LPMud server and code base.

There are lots of worlds out there, and these resources help you to find the virtual world that you can call home.

The Chaco World List

Amberyl's Almost-Complete List of MUSHes

Amberyl's Automated MUSH List

Bob's MOO Gate

Cardiff's MUD Page

Educational MOO Central

The Mud Connector

Scott Geiger's The Mud List

World of Darkness links

rec.games.mud.admin

Mud administration discussions.

rec.games.mud.announce

Announcements of new worlds and other things of interest to the community. This newsgroup is moderated so it tends to have a very high 'relevance' quotient.

rec.games.mud.diku

Discussions about the Diku mud server and worlds.

rec.games.mud.lp

Discussions about the LPMud server and worlds. This includes LPMud-descendant servers such as MudOS.

rec.games.mud.misc

This newsgroup tends to be a grab-bag, getting all of the discussion that doesn't really belong in another newsgroup. This is where you'll find discussions related to Muck servers and worlds.

rec.games.mud.tiny

Discussions about the TinyMush server and worlds. Also includes other similar servers, such as TinyMud.

General:

Yahoo's list of Mud resources

This ranks at the top of the list because of the incredibly extensive collection of links that you will find here.

Amberyl's MUD Resource Collection

Imaginary Realities

A web magazine dedicated entirely to MUDs. Yet another fine product from the Center for Imaginary Environments (see below under 'LPMuds.')

PuebloMOO, An Educational MOO in Phoenix

Diku, Merc, and CircleMuds:

The CircleMUD Homepage

The central location for information about CircleMUD.

Area building software and links

LPMuds:

Center for Imaginary Environments

A non-profit organization created for the advancement of MUD technologies. Amongst other things, the CIE hosts worlds, holds conferences, and manages mailing lists.

MOOs:

The Lost Library of MOO

TinyMushes:

The MUDdex

A collection of documents with an emphasis on tinymuds and tinymud culture.

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