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
Inside Cryosphere: the satirical sci-fi space MUD
Long-time developer Morwen shares the origins of Cryosphere, the design decisions that shaped the game, and what’s coming next.
Too many MUDs, not enough players?
We’ve all heard it, but is it true? And does that mean it’s a lost cause to make a new MUD in 2025? Andruid shares her two cents.
Latest posts
Alter Aeon MUD: 25+ years of adventure
Learn about Alter Aeon MUD from Shadowfax, a senior staff member – including how the game got started, tips for other game creators, and more!
Ways to welcome and include new players
Looking for more ways to welcome and include new players? In this post, fellow roleplayer Petal shares her 11 tips for oldbies in RP MUDs.
Beginner’s guide to roleplaying with text
Learn the basics of roleplaying online in this beginner’s guide to RP, including essential terms and concepts, how to stay in character, and more.
How to use medieval fantasy language in RP
Learn what’s important – and what’s not – when roleplaying with medieval fantasy language. Plus, Amika returns with her tips for using Archaic English!
Erotic roleplay (ERP) and consent in games: what you need to know
What is erotic roleplay (ERP)? This post covers what you need to know about ERP and consent in text-based games, plus advice for game admins and staff.
10 Ways to spice up your tavern RP
Tavern RP is a type of social roleplay that is set in bars and pubs. Here are 10 ideas to keep your tavern roleplay from becoming stale.
Toxic gaming communities: how to identify and deal with toxic behavior
Learn what makes a game or gamer toxic, as well as tips for avoiding toxic gaming communities and handling toxic behavior.
The 5 basic multi-user dungeon (MUD) styles and you
An introduction to the 5 basic MUD styles, including what you can expect and how to find a suitable game.
How to market your text-based game
What does it take to successfully market your text-based game for free? Find out in this post, which includes accessibility tips and more.
Recently updated
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.
How to use medieval fantasy language in RP
Learn what’s important – and what’s not – when roleplaying with medieval fantasy language. Plus, Amika returns with her tips for using Archaic English!
Beginner’s guide to multi-user dungeons (MUDs)
Just what is a MUD game? And what does that mean, multi-user dungeon? Are all of them set in dungeons? Find out in this post!
LociTerm MUD client and the legacy of The Last Outpost
Discover how RahjIII built LociTerm – an accessible, browser-based MUD client – to keep The Last Outpost and other games playable on any device.
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: January 10, 2026