writing games
Exploring the culture and craft of text-based games
Welcome to Writing Games: a site about building shared worlds through words. Among these pages, you’ll find how-to guides, accessibility tips, and interviews with developers behind today’s text-based games. Whether you’re writing a virtual world of your own or just curious about the craft, you’ll be in good company.
New to multiplayer text games?
Start here and choose your own adventure:
Featured posts
Starmourn: a sci-fi legacy in the making
Argus and Marra, volunteer Co-Producers, share what makes Starmourn unique – and why they keep building on the game’s legacy.
Inside Erion MUD: 21 years of medieval fantasy
Aelyn talks about her work on Erion, a long-running medieval fantasy text game with a reputation for being accessible.
Latest posts
Making a MUD vs. creating a game: is there a difference?
So you’re making a MUD: does that also make you a Game Creator? Is there a difference? Find out in this installment of Ask Andruid.
AI-written content in online RP games: “it’s ruining my experience”
What can you do if your fellow players are using AI to do their writing in your favorite text-based RP game? Read on for some food for thought.
Draped in wealth: 10 luxury furs and leathers worn by the elite
A hand-picked list of luxury furs and leathers used throughout history. For writers and world-builders looking to craft wealthy characters and settings.
Crafting elegance: how luxury fabrics and textiles are made
Learn how luxury fabrics and textiles are made, including types of fibers and their sources. For writers and world-builders who like to dive into the details.
SysAdmin Day: celebrating the people who keep our favorite games running
Learn why SysAdmins are important for MU*s, plus ways to celebrate them on SysAdmin Day. Featuring quotes from Opie, Faraday, and Viriato.
Blu and Roadspike: on designing game websites and systems
Blu and Roadspike, two longtime members of the MUSH community, talk about their past games and lessons learned.
Shattered MU: beyond monsters and magic
Tat, creator of Shattered MU (a post-apoc game), talks about the importance of community and shares her guidelines for game design.
AresMUSH: the next-gen server platform
Faraday talks about why she created AresMUSH, as well as some of the core tenets that went into its development.
MU* Accessibility Week: 6 ways to take part
It’s MU* Accessibility Week! Whether you’re a staffer or player, there are ways to get involved and make a difference. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Recently updated
AresMUSH: the next-gen server platform
Faraday talks about why she created AresMUSH, as well as some of the core tenets that went into its development.
MUD level design: how I built an immersive 75-room area in 28 days (without AI)
Learn how I built a 75-room zombie theme park area in 28 days without AI.
Lumen et Umbra: re-imagining a world between light and shadow
Learn how Simone, AKA Niymiae, rebuilt the Italian game Lumen et Umbra from its Diku roots into a one-of-a-kind hack-n-slash MUD with ARPG influences.
4 Types of multiplayer writing games you can play online for free
Learn about 4 types of multiplayer writing games you can play online for free. Includes examples and popular game directories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Writing Games?
Writing Games (writing-games.org) is a modern website dedicated to old-school text-based games. The site houses resources for building better games and communities and covers topics such as accessibility, inclusivity, and how to welcome and retain new players.
Is this site about video games or text games?
Technically, text-based games are video games – they’re played on screens, after all. But when people say “video games,” they usually mean graphical games with visuals, animations, etc. Writing Games focuses on text-based games. This includes multi-user dungeons (MUDs), chat-based roleplaying games, and other systems where play happens through written language rather than graphics.
Who is this site for?
Writing Games is for anyone who plays, creates, or manages text-based roleplaying games. This icludes players exploring text adventures for the first time, developers designing their own MUDs or MUD clients, writers interested in collaborative storytelling, or admins who want to make their games more inclusive.
What kinds of content does Writing Games publish?
Writing Games publishes how-to guides, interviews, an advice column, a glossary, and essays focused on text-based roleplaying games and the communities around them.
For example, with the guides on this site, you can learn how to market your game for free, improve player retention, make your game more accessible, and write more compelling characters and roleplaying hooks.
How can I support Writing Games?
The easiest way to support the site is to simply tell your friends about it. Share your favorite posts with your communities or link to them in your own articles, websites, or games. For other ways to support the site, check out the Support page. 💜
Page Last Updated: August 9, 2026