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'''MUD''' is a [[acronym]] for ''m''ulti-''u''ser ''d''ungeon (or ''d''imension), a [[role-playing game|role-playing]] [[computer]] [[game]] that runs on a [[bulletin board system]] or [[Internet]] server. Many people may connect simultaneously. Once connected, players control a character. They see textual descriptions of rooms, objects, other characters, and computer-controlled creatures or NPCs (''n''on-''p''layer ''c''haracters) in a virtual world. Players may interact with each other and the surroundings by typing commands that resemble plain [[English]].
Most MUDs implement a [[fantasy]] world populated by [[elf|elves]], [[goblin]]s, and other [[mythology|mythical]] beings. Players pretend to be [[knight]]s, [[sorcerer]]s, and the like. The goal of the game is to slay [[monster]]s and complete quests. Some MUDs have a [[science fiction]] setting. Most MUDs are run as [[hobby]] and are free to players.
The popularity of MUDs escalated in the [[USA]] during the [[1980s]], when (relatively speaking) cheap, at-home PCs with 300 to 2400 baud [[modem]]s enabled role players to log into multi-line BBSes. In [[Europe]], MUD development and use centered around academic networks around the same time. The MUD scene is still very much alive on the Internet, accessed via telnet. Specialized telnet clients exist that give a more pleasant user experience.
Some common MUD servers are SMAUG and <nowiki>DikuMUD</nowiki>.
== MUD variants ==
Once computer power increased and Internet connectivity became ubiquitous, the graphical [[MMORG]]s (''m''assively ''m''ultiplayer ''o''nline ''r''ole-playing ''g''ames) developed. Unlike earlier MUDs, most MMORGs are commercial ventures. Examples of MMORGs include:
*[[Anarchy Online]]
*[[Asherons Call|Asheron's Call]]
*[[Everquest]]
*[[Ultima Online]]
The original MUDs drew their inspiration from paper-and-pencil based games such as [[Dungeons and Dragons]] (hence their name), but over time variants have diversified into other models while retaining the textual format. For example, some variants are called MUCKs, MUSHs, LPMUDs, and MOOs.
A '''MUSH''' is often said to mean ''mu''lti-player ''s''hared ''h''allucination. MUSHes descend from the program TinyMUD. MUSHes date back to the early [[1990s]]. They are more direcly concerned with role-playing than [[MUD|MUDs]], dispensing with the scoring system and most rules.
Other variants emphasize building by providing players with a powerful [[programming language]] (as in MOOs) to make their own objects and rooms, or function as elaborate chat systems with no fantasy trappings.
== Resources ==
*If you want to know more about MUSH coding and MUSHes, take a look at the [http://www.godlike.com/mushman/ MUSH Manual], created by Lydia Leong.
*There is more information about MUD culture and history in ''The Jargon File'', http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/jargon/.
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