I think you will find that a coder is the most essential person on staff. With a limited knowledge of code, even the most basic tasks, like rebooting the MUD when it goes down (they all do, no matter how stable), will be daunting without a coder or your own personal knowledge of how to control the shell. But there are resources out there for you, like TMS. Post in the Coders Forum and announce you need one. I think you'll find some takers.

Good luck to you!

Back in the days when I used to work on other people's games I had some of the same experiences that you have had so I know how frustrating they can be.

There is a lot of Ego involved in running a game and many people just do not handle the power well at all. About half the people I have ever met who wanted to run a Mud wanted to do so not to create a great game for their players but so that "I will be God this time!"

If you are going to look for a preexisting Team to join I suggest you do what I used to do: interview them just as heavily as they interview you. Ask them about their leadership style (if they do not have an answer that is probably trouble) and most importantly, ask to talk to at least a few of the other Staff.

Everyone will want to tell you about the great new feature that was just added, or how many players they have active, and a lot of other things that do not really matter at this stage. Ask them about communication, how well does the team work together?  What you really want to know is if this is a Team at all, or just a collection of indivduals working mostly solo on a common project.

There are people out there with real leadership and people skills, but they are the minority without a doubt.

And I do have to agree with one of the previous posters, running a Mud without a talented Coder (at least) is a really, really tough road.


A.T
(-)

If anything, start the design and building stages while waiting to see if you can recruit a coder to help out. It might be better off having something to show for it to a coder, so he/she knows it's worth their time.

You have significant understatement skills there Crystal.



Glad to know you found someone to work with Danlor, good luck.



A.T
(-)

Yes, good luck with your new coder.

SHAMELESS PLUG: At FL, we've been blessed to have some of the most brilliant coders. My fellow IMP is not only a colleague but also a friend, at least as far as internet friendships go. One of the highest quality individuals I've met. Of course, FL wouldn't be what it is without the Herculean efforts of our original "Founding Fathers" IMP staff and our visionary original coder, Virigoth.

*bows down and worships*

God bless ya, Voy, wherever you are.

[/plug]