Game Design
Practical advice for game creators, developers, and admins. Includes everything from considerations of game mechanics to player retention.
Latest 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.
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.
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.
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!
3 Years of Writing Games: a look back
Compelling insights and key takeaways from the first year of interviews in a single post.
Text-based adventure games: from Zork to AI Dungeon
Learn about the history and evolution of text-based adventure games, from the classic Zork to the modern AI Dungeon platform.
How long should room descriptions be when building a MU*?
New MU* creators and builders often want to know how long their room descriptions should be. Find out in this post.
Making a MUD vs. creating a game: is there a difference?
So you're making a MUD: does that also make you a Game Creator? Is there a difference? Find out in this installment of Ask Andruid.
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.
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.
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.
Striking a balance: simulation vs. storytelling in text-based roleplaying games
Guest author Brandon Cross offers advice for MUD developers on how to use storytelling vs. simulation to create a more immersive game.
How game design drives investment, stakes, and conflict in roleplay-intensive (RPI) MUDs
Within the text-based gaming community, RPIs have a reputation for being toxic cesspools, but it doesn't have to be that way.
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.
![Data Privacy Week: 10 tips for safer gaming [2026]](https://writing-games.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Data-Privacy-Week_Featured.webp)
Data Privacy Week: 10 tips for safer gaming [2026]
It's Data Privacy Week! Learn why you should care and what you can do to protect yourself and your communities online.
MU* Staff Appreciation Day: 9 ways to say thanks
December 1st is MU* Staff Appreciation Day! Don't forget to say thank you to the hard-working staffers who make your favorite pastime possible.
Celebrating International MUD Day: 8 ideas
Learn what International MUD Day is and what it's all about. Plus, get ideas for celebrating the holiday with your friends.
EmpireMUD: a player-driven city-builder
Khufu shares his experiences building a screen reader-friendly map for his long-running map-based game: EmpireMUD.
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.