--- title: "Categories" url: "https://writing-games.org/categories/" canonical: "https://writing-games.org/categories/" type: "page" published: "2026-01-11T09:31:20-06:00" modified: "2026-01-11T09:56:14-06:00" author: "Andruid" author_url: "https://writing-games.org/author/andruid/" author_bio: "Andruid (she/her) is a writer, roleplayer, storyteller, and nerd who tries to live by Bill and Ted wisdom, i.e. \"Be excellent to each other.\" She created Writing Games to share lessons learned and to introduce new players to the world of text-based games." author_same_as: - "https://x.com/the_andruid" - "https://www.youtube.com/@the_andruid" - "https://www.instagram.com/the_andruid/" - "https://github.com/the-andruid" - "https://bsky.app/profile/andruid.writing-games.org" - "https://www.threads.net/@the_andruid" - "https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@andruid" - "https://www.reddit.com/user/the_andruid" - "https://ko-fi.com/andruid" - "https://medium.com/@the_andruid" - "https://community.fandom.com/wiki/Special:UserProfileActivity/The_Andruid" publisher: "Writing Games" publisher_url: "https://writing-games.org/" --- - [Home](https://writing-games.org) - Categories # Categories Browse the most recently updated posts among the site's 5 categories. ## Guides [![Beginner’s guide to multi-user dungeons (MUDs)](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Beginners-guide-to-MUDs_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/beginners-guide-to-multi-user-dungeons/)### [Beginner’s guide to multi-user dungeons (MUDs)](https://writing-games.org/beginners-guide-to-multi-user-dungeons/) April 22, 2026 [![How to improve player retention in multi-user (MU*) text games: 15 tips](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Player-retention-in-text-games_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/improving-player-retention-text-games/)### [How to improve player retention in multi-user (MU\*) text games: 15 tips](https://writing-games.org/improving-player-retention-text-games/) April 18, 2026 [![How to market your text-based game](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Marketing-your-text-based-game_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/how-to-market-your-text-based-game/)### [How to market your text-based game](https://writing-games.org/how-to-market-your-text-based-game/) April 18, 2026 [![How to create a style guide for your MU*](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MUD-Builders-Style-Guide_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/multi-user-dungeon-style-guides/)### [How to create a style guide for your MU\*](https://writing-games.org/multi-user-dungeon-style-guides/) April 17, 2026 [Browse all Guides](https://writing-games.org/guides/) ## Interviews [![NukeFire MUD: a co-op text game inspired by pop culture](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NukeFire-cooperative-hack-and-slash-MUD-with-Mo-and-Hiro_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/nukefire-mud/)### [NukeFire MUD: a co-op text game inspired by pop culture](https://writing-games.org/nukefire-mud/) April 18, 2026 [![Excelsior: new stories in a unique Marvel universe](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Excelsior-Marvel-superhero-MUSH-with-Manu-and-Lae_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/excelsior-marvel-superhero-mu/)### [Excelsior: new stories in a unique Marvel universe](https://writing-games.org/excelsior-marvel-superhero-mu/) April 18, 2026 [![Concordia MU: Write your own destiny](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Concordia-MUSH-with-Spes_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/concordia-mu/)### [Concordia MU: Write your own destiny](https://writing-games.org/concordia-mu/) April 17, 2026 [![Accessibility in a changing MU* landscape: an interview with bscross](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Accessibility-in-a-changing-MU-landscape-with-bscross_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/accessibility-interview-bscross/)### [Accessibility in a changing MU\* landscape: an interview with bscross](https://writing-games.org/accessibility-interview-bscross/) April 17, 2026 [Browse all Interviews](https://writing-games.org/interviews/) ## Ideas/Insights [![Erotic roleplay (ERP) and consent in games: what you need to know](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Erotic-roleplay-and-consent_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/understanding-erotic-roleplay-and-consent/)### [Erotic roleplay (ERP) and consent in games: what you need to know](https://writing-games.org/understanding-erotic-roleplay-and-consent/) May 11, 2026 [![Draped in wealth: 10 luxury furs and leathers worn by the elite](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Luxury-furs-and-leathers_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/luxury-furs-leathers-worldbuilding/)### [Draped in wealth: 10 luxury furs and leathers worn by the elite](https://writing-games.org/luxury-furs-leathers-worldbuilding/) April 22, 2026 [![Crafting elegance: how luxury fabrics and textiles are made](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Luxury-fabrics-and-how-they-are-made_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/luxury-fabrics-textiles-worldbuilding/)### [Crafting elegance: how luxury fabrics and textiles are made](https://writing-games.org/luxury-fabrics-textiles-worldbuilding/) April 22, 2026 [![4 Types of multiplayer writing games you can play online for free](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Types-of-free-writing-games-online_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/free-online-multiplayer-writing-games/)### [4 Types of multiplayer writing games you can play online for free](https://writing-games.org/free-online-multiplayer-writing-games/) April 18, 2026 [Browse all Ideas/Insights](https://writing-games.org/ideas-insights/) ## Essays [![Striking a balance: simulation vs. storytelling in text-based roleplaying games](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Striking-a-balance-simulation-vs-storytelling-in-MUDs_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/simulation-vs-storytelling-in-text-based-rpgs/)### [Striking a balance: simulation vs. storytelling in text-based roleplaying games](https://writing-games.org/simulation-vs-storytelling-in-text-based-rpgs/) April 17, 2026 [![How game design drives investment, stakes, and conflict in roleplay-intensive (RPI) MUDs](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Investment-stakes-and-conflict-in-RPIs_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/roleplay-intensive-muds/)### [How game design drives investment, stakes, and conflict in roleplay-intensive (RPI) MUDs](https://writing-games.org/roleplay-intensive-muds/) April 17, 2026 [Browse all Essays](https://writing-games.org/essays/) ## Ask Andruid [![How long should room descriptions be when building a MU*?](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ideal-room-description-length-for-a-MUD_Ask-Andruid_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/deciding-room-description-length/)### [How long should room descriptions be when building a MU\*?](https://writing-games.org/deciding-room-description-length/) April 22, 2026 [![Too many MUDs, not enough players?](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Too-many-MUDs-not-enough-players_Ask-Andruid_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/too-many-muds-not-enough-players/)### [Too many MUDs, not enough players?](https://writing-games.org/too-many-muds-not-enough-players/) April 17, 2026 [![MUDing mistakes and surprising lessons learned](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/MUDing-mistakes_Ask-Andruid_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/muding-mistakes-and-lessons-learned/)### [MUDing mistakes and surprising lessons learned](https://writing-games.org/muding-mistakes-and-lessons-learned/) April 17, 2026 [![Making a MUD vs. creating a game: is there a difference?](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Making-a-MUD-vs-creating-a-game_Ask-Andruid_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/making-muds-vs-creating-games/)### [Making a MUD vs. creating a game: is there a difference?](https://writing-games.org/making-muds-vs-creating-games/) April 17, 2026 [Browse all Ask Andruid](https://writing-games.org/ask-andruid/) ## Frequently Asked Questions - [What are categories on Writing Games?](#what-are-categories) - [How are categories different from topics?](#how-are-categories-different) - [Why does the same article appear in multiple places?](#same-article-multiple-places) - [How should I use the categories?](#how-to-use) - [Do categories change over time?](#do-categories-change) ### What are categories on Writing Games? Categories describe the *type* of article you're reading. They indicate the format, purpose, or approach of a post - such as whether it's an essay, an interview, a practical guide, or an advice response. Each post belongs to one category. ### How are categories different from topics? Categories describe *what kind of article* something is. Topics describe *what the article is about*. A single post lives in one category, but it may appear under multiple topics if it touches on several subjects. ### Why does the same article appear in multiple places? Because browsing paths overlap. You might find the same post through its category (for example, a Guide) and also through one or more related topics (such as accessibility or world-building). This is intentional and meant to make discovery easier. ### How should I use the categories? Use categories when you want a specific *reading mode*. If you’re looking for hands-on help, start with **Guides**. If you want perspectives or analysis, browse **Essays** or **Ideas & Insights**. Categories are best used to set expectations for the type of content you’re about to read. ### Do categories change over time? Rarely. Unlike topics, categories are meant to stay stable so the site remains predictable and easy to navigate. New categories may be added only if a clearly different kind of content becomes a regular part of the site. Page Last Updated: January 11, 2026