What are MUDs?
A MUD or Multi-User Dungeon is a text-based online virtual world. Think Zork, but with other players. The modern graphical MMORPG also spawned from MUDs.
MUDs are purely text based, so you are required to bring your own graphics via your imagination. These games range from pure hack'n'slash to pure role play with everything in between.
You'll be playing with other players from all around the world. Games typically have 10s up to 100s of players on at any given time.
What is Grapevine?
Grapevine is a site that showcases MUDs and helps you find your new favorite game. Grapevine polls games to ensure that they are online when you view their profile.
Certain games are also part of the Grapevine chat network. If you're playing on one of these games, you can chat with others across every other game connected. This means you should always have someone to talk to.
How do you play?
The easiest way to play these games are through the web client. Find a game you're interested in and click the play button.
Once you start playing, you'll be entering in commands to control your character inside the game.
Help While Playing
If you get lost, most games should have someone hanging out ready to help you figure things out. Some commands that generally will work if you need help:
who- This command will generally show all of the players that are online. Look for players at the top of the list, they are generally admins and should be able to help you.
help- This command will generally show all of the help available, you can then add a topic after
helpto get more information about that topic. score- This command will generally show your character sheet, which includes your character's basic information and stats.
inventory- This command will generally show what your character is holding, including any equipment they have.
newbie hello i'm new and need help- If the game you're on has a newbie channel, this will send a helpful message asking for help. This is generally available to all new players and has a helpful person listening on the other end.
Games to Try Out
Some games to get you started out. These are the most popular games currently on Grapevine.
Alter Aeon
Alter Aeon is a fantasy world of adventure and untold possibilities. Ours is an enormous, fantastic world to explore! We have thousands of quest to complete and tens of thousands of enemies to defeat!
You can play as a mighty paladin, a ruthless villain, or anywhere in between. Become the hero you choose to be at Alter Aeon, where every day is an adventure!
Some helpful links include their homepage, their help, and their game information.
Realms of Despair
Realms of Despair is the ever-growing home of the SMAUG codebase. Completely free, RoD offers over 150 original, unique areas and offers rp, pk, a multitude of guilds, orders, clans, sects, and nation based organizations. RoD has something for everyone.
Some helpful links include their homepage, the newbie guide, and their history.
Sindome
Sindome is a cyberpunk environment that rewards roleplaying over stat grinding, boasting a healthy player base and a helpful admin staff.
Set 85 years into a dark, gritty future. 60 million people reside within the geodesic dome of Withmore City. 4 distinct levels separate the corporate elite from the 'mixers'. You arrive in Red Sector where most of the population resides, where it's every baka for themselves, trying to carve out a niche in the underworld, or reach above the fray for the comforts of the corporate life.
Some helpful links include their homepage, their help, and their lore.