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Old 10-25-2008, 07:11 AM   #3
Orrin
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Name: Matt
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Re: Barriers to commercial MUDs

I am not sure I agree with all your figures, for example I can think of more surviving commercial MUDs than just IRE and Simutronics, although I do agree that the potential market for commercial MUDs is small. However the cost of entry to this market is tiny in comparison to that for graphical MMORPGs. A single person or a small team can produce a MUD in their spare time and host it for a few dollars a month. When your development and operating costs are this low you don't need 10 million subscribers at $15 a month to be successful.

I think it's fair to say that not many major game companies would choose a MUD as their flagship product any more (after all MUDs just aren't sexy enough) but I was also aiming my questions at smaller indies or existing free MUD owners who may be interested in making a bit of extra cash to cover hosting, advertising etc.
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