[Burr]

First, which of the above is your favorite basis for a theme?

Second, what would you say is the most original and inspired theme for a world you've ever encountered, whether in a mud, a book, a movie, or whatever?

[KaVir]

I think the most inspired theme for a world I've ever seen is probably that of the Talislanta RPG.

[Brianna]

Given a creative mind, a person could come up with an original fantasy world that is quite plausible to play in.

I feel that muds based on a book or a series are a bit restrictive as the story does not allow for variance.

Mythology is a good starting point for many muds because you can create your own myths and stories based on existing ones.

Just my opinion.

[Tavish]

The most original world IMO was the setting of the Darksword series, unfortunately the storyline did not pull it off very well.

The most inspired (inspiring) was the Land in The Chronicles of Thomas the Covenant.

[Enzo]

Wheel of Time is a great theme for MUDs in my humble opinion. They are the only kind of MUDs that I will play, and plus, the Wheel of Time is so far my favorite series of books.

[John]

When done right, the most generic theme can make a game seem completely original.

I personally love post-apoalyptic worlds, where it's extremely harsh and near on impossible to survive. The best way to sum it up is "No matter what type of sword you use, you'll still die"

[enigma@zebedee]

Hmm, well we are a basic fantasy mud with specific individual areas being allowed to put their own twist on it.

I can see how basing yourself on a book series (we have individual areas like that) can help give you a well realised setting and players who know the world's background, but surely it is also very limitting?

I have tried a few 'theme park' muds and always found it very off putting - it feels like the mud can't decide what it wants to be so it tries to be everything.

Hmm, that's about it really. I think I would rather see a mud come up with its own background rather than steal one.

In terms of original backgrounds the Amber series was very original, Fred Saberhagen's sword books have some interesting ideas - as does Wheel of Time and the Pern books.

Originally Posted by Wheel of Time is a great theme for MUDs in my humble opinion. They are the only kind of MUDs that I will play, and plus, the Wheel of Time is so far my favorite series of books.

You will only play Wheel of Time muds? That's a remarkably limitting viewpoint!

Originally Posted by The most original world IMO was the setting of the Darksword series, unfortunately the storyline did not pull it off very well.

I agree, Darksword had some very good ideas but the storyline let it down a bit, especially near the end. The Death Gate's Cycle is very good though and by the same authors (IIRC). Hmm, been a while since I read that - maybe I should visit amazon

[Eagleon]

Favorite: The Elkandu universe by Keolah, manifesting formerly in Rogue Winds with CalareyMUD and now in Planar Dominance with Serriyan Dreams. Woo!

Original: The Death Gate Cycle. Also, I'm wondering if the MUD based off of The Chronicles of Thomas the Covenant is still up somewhere. I liked that series.