[Robiwan]

I'm fairly new to this sort of thing, but have been in RPGs for 17 years (calculated that today). So, I have read posts about Muds, Mushs and MU*, which I assume means both, and maybe more. What are they. I mean, I know Multi User Dungeon/deminsion (whatever), But what are the fundamental differences, how do you catagorise them? Is it Genre? Users? Size? Interface? RP restrictions? Are there enough questions in here yet?

[SyNo]

Well Mushes are mostly more RP oriented. In most mushes you use a 'pose' to set up the scene in which you and whoever else will be RPing, and after that, you can use strings of emotes, says, and etc. to roleplay situations. Most Mushes dont even use a global combat command, so most combat is also RPed. They have strict IC/OOC rules.

Muds differ, you can have RP oriented muds with strict roleplay, but they also allow you to use the combat system, and they usually have a set of npcs in which are meant for you to attack.

some muds are basically for those people who prefer killing things, nothing more, nothing less. Theres a wide variety, the only way you can learn more about them, is to go out and try them.

[Robiwan]

OK, I think I'm seeing a major difference...But could a MUSH then simply be a chat room where people get together to RP? I once saw a chat room on AOL (Back when I was in my brain washed years). This chat room was the Tigerclaw from Wing commander, and there was a GM, and they all had missions they went on. There was no rolling of dice, just taking actions. Would that qualify as a MUSH?

[Robiwan]

Also, while looking around in the Advert section, I found a link to another sight where I read: MUSH, MUX, MUCK, MOO, MUD, or other MU* games

I'm at a loss. I've never heard of MUX, MUCK, MOO, and they say there are more? If you know what any of them are, could you let me know?

[KaVir]

They are all "MUDs". The confusion is caused by the historically uninformed. MUSH, MUCK, MOO, etc are codebases which are derived from TinyMUD - in the same way as Merc, ROM, Smaug, etc are codebases which are derived from DikuMUD.

[Xanferious]

kavir pwns

[Robiwan]

Ah, OK...I understand that. But what about that chat room I mentioned. Would it fit under the catagory of MUSH?

[Xanferious]

no, a chat room is just a chat room, there are no details about the room , you cant move around cant get or use eq, that chat room was just used to host there version of RP, and a mush is a mud like Kavir said

[Siobhan]

Originally Posted by (Robiwan @ April 21 2002,09:40 am) Also, while looking around in the Advert section, I found a link to another sight where I read: MUSH, MUX, MUCK, MOO, MUD, or other MU* games I'm at a loss. I've never heard of MUX, MUCK, MOO, and they say there are more? If you know what any of them are, could you let me know?

I'm no expert, but I think that many people use the terms MU* and MUD to differentiate between roleplay-based multi-user environments and hack-n-slash multi-user environments. However, Kavir is absolutely correct in saying that MUSH, MUX, MOO, etc are codebases. In my experience, there just tends to be a different focus with each of the different codebases. While I can't speak for MUCK or MOO, I know that most places I've been on that use MUSH or MUX are heavy into roleplaying instead of hack and slash. And I've heard that some games using SMAUG and other codebases that are generally seen as 'MUD-specific' are roleplay-heavy, as well.

Note: I don't mean any disrespect to any games by calling it hack-n-slash... I just can't seem to think of a better term, especially since I don't MUD anymore -- I haven't since about 1992 or so. Would it be better to refer to them more as 'adventuring multi-user environments'? I'd really like to find a descriptive term for them that might not be seen as derrogatory... ack. I don't want to offend anyone. Woo.