---
title: "Topics"
url: "https://writing-games.org/topics/"
canonical: "https://writing-games.org/topics/"
type: "page"
published: "2023-12-11T22:34:01-06:00"
modified: "2026-02-03T07:57:37-06:00"
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)
- Topics

# Topics

Not sure what you're looking for, or maybe just taking a casual glance around? Here you can browse the most recently updated posts among the site's most popular topics.

## Accessibility

[![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

[![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 Accessibility](https://writing-games.org/topics/accessibility/)

## Community

[![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

[![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

[![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

[Browse all Community](https://writing-games.org/topics/community/)

## Game Design

[![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

[![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

[![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

[Browse all Game Design](https://writing-games.org/topics/game-design/)

## MU\*s

[![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

[![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 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

[![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 MU\*s](https://writing-games.org/topics/muds/)

## Roleplaying

[![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

[![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

[![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

[Browse all Roleplaying](https://writing-games.org/topics/roleplaying/)

## Storytelling

[![The Gary Sue character type explained](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gary-Sue-character-type_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/gary-sue-character-type-explained/)### [The Gary Sue character type explained](https://writing-games.org/gary-sue-character-type-explained/)

   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

[![Text-based adventure games: from Zork to AI Dungeon](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Text-based-adventure-games-from-Zork_Featured-768x432.webp)](https://writing-games.org/text-based-adventure-games/)### [Text-based adventure games: from Zork to AI Dungeon](https://writing-games.org/text-based-adventure-games/)

   April 17, 2026

[Browse all Storytelling](https://writing-games.org/topics/storytelling/)

## World-building

[![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

[![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

[![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

[![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 World-building](https://writing-games.org/topics/world-building/)

## Writing

[![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

[![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

[![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 Writing](https://writing-games.org/topics/writing/)

## All topics

- [Accessibility](https://writing-games.org/topics/accessibility/)
    
    Accessibility tips and advice for game creators, informed by interviews with non-sighted players and quotes from members of the VI community.
- [Bonus Content](https://writing-games.org/topics/bonus-content/)
    
    Articles that feature related bonus content for Supporter. Bonus content is linked at the bottom of each article.
- [Community](https://writing-games.org/topics/community/)
    
    Tips and advice for making creating welcoming communities, addressing sources of toxicity, and solving community-related issues in roleplaying games.
- [Game Design](https://writing-games.org/topics/game-design/)
    
    Practical advice for game creators, developers, and admins. Includes everything from considerations of game mechanics to player retention.
- [Gaming](https://writing-games.org/topics/gaming/)
    
    Information and advice for people who play games online - especially text-based games. May include topics related to video games and tabletop games, too.
- [Ideas & Lists](https://writing-games.org/topics/ideas/)
    
    Articles with ideas and/or lists useful for creative writing, world-building, or improving upon games.
- [Interactive Fiction](https://writing-games.org/topics/interactive-fiction/)
    
    Articles about interactive, text-based stories where players make choices that affect how the story unfolds.
- [MU\*s](https://writing-games.org/topics/muds/)
    
    Everything to do with the genre of multi-user dungeons (MUDs), including articles and advice specific to different styles of MU* games.
- [Roleplaying](https://writing-games.org/topics/roleplaying/)
    
    Ideas and advice related to roleplaying with text in multi-user (MU*) games, virtual tabletops sessions, chatrooms, forums, and even video game chat channels.
- [Storytelling](https://writing-games.org/topics/storytelling/)
    
    Tips and advice for storytelling, especially in the context of multiplayer text-based games such as MU*s, play-by-post games, and chatrooms RPGs.
- [TTRPGs](https://writing-games.org/topics/ttrpgs/)
    
    Ideas, stories, and advice relevant to tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs), especially sessions held virtually over text.
- [World-building](https://writing-games.org/topics/world-building/)
    
    Ideas and advice for building immersive worlds game worlds with text, such as MU*s, play-by-post games, chatroom roleplay games, and interactive fiction.
- [Writing](https://writing-games.org/topics/writing/)
    
    Articles with ideas and advice for creative writers, especially those who write in the context of text games.

## Frequently Asked Questions

- [What are topics on Writing Games?](#what-are-topics)
- [How are topics different from categories?](#how-are-topics-different)
- [Why does the same article appear under multiple topics?](#same-article-multiple-topics)
- [How should I use the topics list?](#how-to-use)
- [Do topics change over time?](#do-topics-change)

### What are topics on Writing Games?

Topics are a way to group articles by what they’re actually about. Each topic pulls together posts that touch on the same subject, like world-building, accessibility, or roleplaying, so you can easily find related ideas in one place.

### How are topics different from categories?

Categories describe the *kind* of article you’re reading, such as a guide, interview, or essay. Topics describe the subject the article discusses. Most posts live in one category but show up under several topics.

### Why does the same article appear under multiple topics?

Because most posts cover a range of related topics. An article about world-building might also talk about storytelling, game design, or community concerns. Topics help surface those connections instead of hiding them.

### How should I use the topics list?

Think of the topics list as a starting point for browsing. If you’re interested in a particular subject, you can jump into that topic and explore all the related posts from there.

### Do topics change over time?

Yes. Topics grow as the site grows. New ones get added when a subject comes up often enough, and existing topics naturally fill out as more articles are published.

   Page Last Updated: February 3, 2026