[KaVir]

Using an existing protocol would be preferable I think.

MSDP is really aimed more at script/plugin writers. The nice thing about it is that it lets them request the exact data they want - so the protocol can support a wide range of obscure and unusual variables, without bombarding players with lots of data they don't want.

If you plan to have a standard interface, like silvarilon mentioned, then ATCP is fine. But if you want the interface to be customisable (either manually by the player, or remotely by whichever mud you connect to), then I would suggest either MSDP or a custom ATCP module.

True, although it does mean resending the entire sequence every time any of the stats change. The advantage of MSDP is that it only sends the variables that change, and only the ones you care about - and variable/value pairs are pretty easy to parse as well.

I guess a mud could allow the players to customise their char.vitals in-game though, which would allow some degree of on-the-fly interface customisation.