Striking a balance: simulation vs. storytelling in text-based roleplaying games
March 20, 2024
Guest author Brandon Cross offers advice for MUD developers on how to use storytelling vs. simulation to create a more immersive game.
Category: Interviews & Guests (Page 2)
Interviews and guest content with fellow storytellers, roleplayers, and creators of text based games and game engines.
Concordia MU: Write your own destiny
March 11, 2024
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*
February 1, 2024
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
November 3, 2023
Khufu shares his experiences building a screen reader-friendly map for his long-running map-based game: EmpireMUD.
AwakeMUD: a community-first Shadowrun game
October 28, 2023
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
September 23, 2023
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 in the making
July 14, 2023
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
May 7, 2023
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
February 8, 2023
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
October 23, 2022
Learn about Alter Aeon MUD from Shadowfax, a senior staff member - including how the game got started, tips for other game creators, and more!
Ways to welcome and include new players in your MUD
September 30, 2022
Looking for more ways to welcome and include new players? In this post, fellow roleplayer Petal shares her 11 tips for oldbies in RP MUDs.
Medieval fantasy language in roleplay
September 10, 2022
Learn what's important - and what's not - when roleplaying with medieval fantasy language. Plus, Amika returns with her tips for using Archaic English!
How to use a character arc roadmap in RP
July 17, 2022
What is a character arc roadmap, and how can you use it for roleplaying? Find out in this guide with tips and examples from fellow roleplayer Amika.
5 Accessibility improvements in LOTJ MUD
June 4, 2022
Staffer and longtime friend Klor shares 5 recent accessibility improvements in LOTJ, a text-based multi-user game set in the Star Wars universe.
Mental health and gaming: 10 practical tips
May 29, 2022
When it comes to mental health and gaming, there are simple things you can do to live and play healthier. Learn 10 from Bre, a mental health coach, in this post.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Interviews & Guests?
Interviews & Guests is where I talk with developers, writers, and players who are shaping the future of text-based games. It also includes guest posts from creators who share their own stories, lessons, and perspectives.
How do you choose your interviewees?
I focus on people doing interesting work in the MUD, MU*, and interactive fiction communities – whether that’s developing new engines, preserving old games, or building inclusive player spaces.
Can I suggest someone for an interview?
Please do. If there’s a creator, admin, or project you think deserves the spotlight, send me a message with their details and why you’d like to see them featured.
Do you accept guest posts?
I do, as long as the content or topic is relevant to text-based gaming. If you have an idea, feel free to reach out with a short pitch.
Can I share or quote these interviews?
Please do! Just make sure you credit the interviewee appropriately. If possible, include a link back to their interview so readers can learn more about their project.