Accessibility
Accessibility tips and advice for game creators, informed by interviews with non-sighted players and quotes from members of the VI community.
Latest posts
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.
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.
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!
3 Years of Writing Games: a look back
Compelling insights and key takeaways from the first year of interviews in a single post.
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.
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.
Helpfile Spring Cleaning: 10 ways to participate
It's Helpfile Spring Cleaning Week! Here are 10 ways that staff and players can get together to improve their favorite games.
EmpireMUD: a player-driven city-builder
Khufu shares his experiences building a screen reader-friendly map for his long-running map-based game: EmpireMUD.
Beginner’s guide to MUD soundpacks
What are MUD soundpacks and how do they enhance the experience for players? Find out in this beginner's guide.
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.
How to create a style guide for your MU*
Learn how to create a Builder's Style Guide for your multi-user dungeon (MUD), including what should go in it and where it should live.
How to improve player retention in multi-user (MU*) text games: 15 tips
Learn how to calculate and track player retention in your multi-user (MU*) game, plus 15+ tips for getting players to return.
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!
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.
How to write room descriptions: tips and examples for world-builders
A guide to writing excellent room descriptions for your text-based game! Also includes prompts and ideas for writing city and wilderness areas.
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.
MU* help systems: 15+ ideas for improvement
A great MUD help system has certain features that make it easy to use and maintain. Here are 15+ ideas for game implementors.
Accessibility in TTRPGs: how Wyrmworks Publishing makes tabletop gaming more inclusive
Learn how Dale of Wyrmworks Publishing is improving accessibility in TTRPGs and making tabletop games more inclusive and fun for all.
Gaming and chronic illness: TBQ talks
Writer and roleplayer TBQ talks about her experiences with gaming and chronic illness, including the importance of difficulty modes and patience.
3 Accessibility features in Alter Epoch MU*
Niamh, implementor of Alter Epoch, shares her advice for improving accessibility in MUDs using practical tips and examples.
Gaming with partial sight: an interview with Aaron
Aaron shares his perspectives on gaming with partial sight and what he looks for in a MUD.