Role-playing Games on the Internet
By Stephanie Dray
Have you ever wanted to ride a dragon or daydreamed of
haggling for droids on Tatooine? Or maybe you've imagined engaging in
political intrigue in a big ancient city like
Adults looking for more sophisticated fun, or parents
interested in guiding their children into interactive games will be happy to
know that there are other options. The
Internet is home to literally hundreds of interesting role-playing games called
MUSHes, and most of them are free. These games tout complex goals, interaction
with other people, and a focus on cooperative storytelling.
MUSHes date back to the early 1990's
and are very similar to the text adventure games that were popular in the 1980's
like "Zork" and "The Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy" games by Infocom. A MUSH (otherwise known as a Multiple User's
Shared Habitat) is a virtual world that players can log into and explore. Each player takes control of a character and
guides that character through a story. Like
actors in improvisational theater, players work together to weave a tale of
their own making. On a MUSH you can have
your character walk around, chat, eat, explore dangerous areas, solve puzzles,
fight wars, or have a romance. Because MUSHes are comprised of words rather than pictures, if you
can write it, it can happen.
Most MUSHes are entirely without
artwork or graphics of any kind. But
that certainly doesn't mean that they're bland. Picturesque writing brings each
game world to life. Just like a setting from a novel, each game is described in
accordance with its own theme. Some MUSHes are based on books.
There are also MUSHes that are based on
historical settings such as the ancient world or medieval times. Because there are hundreds of MUSHes, with a startling array of variety, players can take
on the roles of anything from a Superhero, to an elf, to a futuristic space
engineer!
John Batzel of
To get started on a MUSH, you just need to choose a game
with a theme that you like and with so many games to choose from, that choice
can be difficult. Luckily, most role-playing
games have been archived at a website known as The Mud Connector. The Mud
Connector has information on more than 1,500 role-playing games, and makes
available thousands of reviews by players of the games, as well as professional
game reviewers. MUSHes are a part of a whole family
of text-based games that include MUD, MOO, MUSE, and MUCK (all similar in
function, but with varying command interfaces).
The Mud Connector has information about all these games, but you should
filter your search so that it only lists MUSHes,
unless you're really adventurous.
Once you've chosen the game you want to play, you can use
The Mud Connector to log right in. A
better idea, however, is to go to the website of the game that you're
interested in and read about it first. The
websites of each game are listed on The Mud Connector site, and are likely to
give you helpful hints. They also have
extensive resources for new players. Most
games will have volunteers who will help you learn your way around (they're
known as the administrators, the staff, or the wizards). They don't get paid for their work, so it's
good to be especially nice to them!
MUSHes don't require memory
intensive programs or fancy graphics capability to play, but before you can
connect to any MUSH, you will need some software. The good news is that you probably already
have the basic software to connect. The
most basic (and least friendly) method of connecting to the games would be to
use a Telnet application. Telnet is
launched when you connect via The Mud Connector and you won't have to go
hunting for it.
If you do decide that you want to connect manually on your
own, all versions of Microsoft Windows come with a basic Telnet program and you
can find it in your Windows directory on your C: drive. You might even be able to find it in the
Start menu. However, Telnet is the least
user-friendly way to connect to a MUSH. Most
experienced players prefer to play using what's called a MUSH Client. These clients are easy to download, don't
take up much space, and are usually available without charge. One of the best
clients for Windows is known as "SimpleMU".
Macintosh users will want to look at a client called "Rapscallion". If you don't like those clients, you can find
others on the "The Mud Connector" site.
One of the most populated MUSHes
on the Internet is PernMUSH. Pern is a themed
role-playing MUSH based on the "Dragonriders of Pern" novels by Anne McCaffrey. PernMUSH
attempts to recreate, with as much authenticity as possible, the society
described in the novels. This game
appeals to Anne McCaffrey fans, but also seems to be a great draw for creative
teenagers and college students. Pern is also a very family friendly game - there are strict
rules to enforce PG writing in all public areas and no swearing is allowed. Players pretend to be dragonriders,
craftsmen, or guards in this unique fantasy environment!
Another well-populated game is ElendorMUSH.
Elendor is a virtual world based on the writings of J.R.R
Tolkien and it recreates the world of Tolkien's imagination.
According to one game review, "Elendor is
devoted to providing a quality role-playing environment where activity is
primarily social and interactive rather than automated. The staff on Elendor
is especially helpful and friendly to players who are new to Tolkien or to MUSHing in general. Elendor also
provides a custom designed chat system with over 100 channels and its own mailer
system equipped with over 100 bulletin boards where players plan game
activities and discuss Tolkien's writing." On Elendor, players
take on the roles of hobbits, elves, wizards and other creatures that inhabit
the Tolkien world.
Fans of science fantasy may enjoy the popular Star Wars MUSH. The Star Wars MUSH is a simulation game
designed to recreate the attitudes, ideas, surroundings, and situations found
in the "Star Wars" trilogy and the licensed literature published
there after. Brian Buhl of
For those who enjoyed the atmosphere of the recent
MUSHes give players a chance to
meet other people from all over the country, and indeed, all over the world, in
the comfort of their living room. However,
not all interaction is online. Many of
the larger games arrange for yearly parties where the players can meet face to
face. In fact, this past May, the
administrators of FiranMUX held a gathering here in
Owings Mills at the American Legion Hall on Painters Mill road. Players were treated to a menu of ethnic fare
from antiquity, a belly dancing show, and many hours of socializing. People came from as far as
Potential MUSHers should be warned
that if you can't type, and if you can't be patient with the slower pace of
game play, you may not enjoy these games.
Also, in spite of all the good things that can be said about MUSHes, people should be aware of the potential dark side
too. Even though these games do help
with writing and social skills, MUSHes can be
addictive! Moreover, some people tend to
take what happens to their characters a little too seriously. John Batz, of PernMUSH warns, "MUSHing is
no substitute for real face-to-face interpersonal relationships, but these
games can be a place to learn more about yourself and other people without the
same level of embarrassment or danger. They can be wonderful places, but
they're places to learn, not places to live."
Websites of Note
The Mud Connector: www.mudconnector.com
SimpleMU: www.simplemu.onlineroleplay.com
Rapscallion: www.rapscallion.co.uk
PernMUSH: www.vortxweb.net/meli/pern
ElendorMUSH: www.elendor.net
The Star Wars MUSH: http://starwars.gamenet.org
FiranMUX: www.legendary.org/~firan