Interviews
Conversations with writers, roleplayers, developers, and community members working in and around text-based games.
Latest posts
Accessibility in a changing MU* landscape: an interview with bscross
Long-time MU* enthusiast Brandon Cross talks about how far the hobby has come - and some of the accessibility hurdles that still remain.
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.
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.
MudVault: a new way to discover MUDs
Asmodeus, creator of MudVault, is building tools to make MUDs easier to find, fairer to rank, and more fun to play - all while keeping the focus on user experience.
GoMud: a lightweight engine for building text-based worlds
Volte6, creator of GoMud, talks about the new engine, what it's like to make a project open-source, and lessons learned along the way.
Federation 2 Community Edition: from hauling cargo to shaping the galaxy
Federation 2: Community Edition is a player-run revival of a space trading MUD. Jonathan (“Cosmo”) shares how it came back from the brink - and why it's still special 30+ years later.
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.
A picture worth a thousand rooms: the Worldmap project by Hades_Kane and Grieffels
Discover how Hades_Kane and Grieffels built a worldmap system that lets you quickly make areas from PNG files. Includes screen reader support!
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.
Excelsior: new stories in a unique Marvel universe
Manu (Power) and Lae (Mind) share their experiences running Excelsior: a roster-only MUSH set in a unique Marvel universe.
Evennia: a modern way to create MU*s
Learn about Evennia, the Python MU* creation system, from Griatch, the developer who's been working on the project for more than a decade.
The Network: only the finest quality programming
Clockwork, mastermind behind The Network MU, shares lessons learned from years of creating and running online roleplaying games.
Concordia MU: Write your own destiny
Spes, owner and co-creator of Concordia MU, talks about the many hats she wears and what she sees as her most important role in the game.
Silent Heaven: a supernatural horror MU*
Silent Heaven is a supernatural horror MU* known for its emphasis on story and its relatively non-toxic RP community.
EmpireMUD: a player-driven city-builder
Khufu shares his experiences building a screen reader-friendly map for his long-running map-based game: EmpireMUD.
AwakeMUD: a community-first Shadowrun game
Learn how AwakeMUD CE earned the "CE" in its name, what that two-letter acronym stands for, and what it means to its creators and staff.
Opie: giving back to the MUD community
Opie, long-time pillar of the MUD community, talks about his free hosting service, how running a MUD can help you get a job, and more.
Mystavaria MUD: a world of dreams and magic
Creators Alora and Aion share their experiences developing Mystavaria, a new fantasy MUD that features dream magic.
Mudlet’s accessibility updates: an interview with Vadi
Vadi, creator of the popular open-source MUD client Mudlet, talks about the latest accessibility updates and where Mudlet is headed next.
The Free Zone: inclusive RP culture by design
Ash and Famine introduce their new MUD, The Free Zone, and discuss some of the changes they made to create a more inclusive, welcoming RPI.
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!
5 Accessibility improvements in LOTJ MUD
Staffer and longtime friend Klor shares 5 recent accessibility improvements in LOTJ, a text-based multi-user game set in the Star Wars universe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Interviews category?
Interviews includes conversations with people working in and around text-based games. These pieces focus on individual experiences, projects, and perspectives, allowing creators and community members to speak in their own words.
What kinds of interviews appear here?
Interviews may include developers, writers, roleplayers, admins, tool creators, archivists, or long-time community members. Topics range from current projects and past experiences to broader reflections on the hobby.
How are people chosen for interviews?
Most interviews come from recommendations by past interviewees or word of mouth within the community. People are often suggested because they’re working on something interesting, unique, or worth highlighting.
Can these interviews be shared or quoted?
Yes. Please credit the interviewee and link back to the original interview when possible so readers can explore the full conversation.