Staredit Network

I've built on several MUDs before, and now I want to run one of my own, however I do not know anything about coding a MUD(or whatever other name you want to call it) or how to start one up(hosting it). So, could someone help me by either telling me how to code a MUD(or just tell me the language) or tell me how to start one? I've done a web search and it hasn't turned up any helpful links... mostly just builder tips.

C/C++ is probably your best bet at coding one.

MUDs run over Telnet clients. The MUD's website should provide a port and address, you open a Telnet client (HyperTerminal, which comes with Window, is one) and connect to those.

Wait, maybe it isn't...

I mean, would I be able to host one of my own computer(so its free), because I wanna mess around with one till I get the hang of it. And if I can, could someone explain how to start it up( what steps, like do I have to dl a certain program?).

Also, can you code a MUD with any language? Just curious...(I've only had some small experience with visual basic... though I will look into C)

I dont remember where but you can download ENVY/DEKU and all those popular ones and just tweak the code or run it right after downloading. Adding stock areas or making your, mobs, etc...

If you want to go make your own then I still suggest you go download them because the source code is a mountain of information you can steal from.

Most are coded in C++ I think. Visual basic? Don't even think about trying to code a MUD in that.

I wouldnt want to use vb , one of the main reasons I want to start one is because it'll help me learn a language, and I dont want to learn vb just to use it on stealthbot...
the other reason is that I'd get to control what kind of MUD it is

Correct! Most MUDs are coded in C++, but you can really code them in anything you want (except VB)

Your in luck. I did this a few years ago. I threw one in VB just for fun (shame on me). If you are actually serious about hosting a MUD, you probably shouldn't run it off a windows server, Unix or even Linux is a better bet, and you probably should get a dynamic DNS program.

Another route is to get a MUDhost. It's like a webhost but is specifically for MUDS. Check out http://www.genesismuds.com

As for actually making and running the MUD, there are two ways. One is the more rewarding way of programming it yourself. Then there is the easy way and use other people's engines. Look up the two engines that Chu posted, and here are some more.

FREE ENGINES
http://aime.sourceforge.net/
http://www.tigermud.com/

PRICED ENGINES
http://www.valhalla.com/vmeinf/index1.html

If you don't want to do that you can create your own engine, which is more difficult. Check out the links I added below. Basically, remember that a telnet client echos everything that is recieved, so virtually everything will have to be managed efficiently on the server. When a user connects, accept it, then send it the login page/data. When the user inputs the username/password compare it to the entry in the database. If its wrong deny them, if its correct login them, if its invalid create the character for them. After that it's all up to you!

Remember to protect your system with a firewall if you are hosting it in your own system.

Reply if you need anything else

Links for programming MUDS/Good MUD Links
http://www.gamedev.net/reference/programmi...atures/mudpie1/
http://www.mudconnect.com/resources/Mud_Resources.html

Heh, I have that page bookmarked. *Goes to look at his MUD he never started*

Hey thanks for all the links, going to look at em now. I'm going to host it on my windows XP just to get the feel for it(haven't built in awhile, and need to practice coding) until my mom's friend rebuilds my old comp, since MUDs don't require fancy graphics cards, just memory and maybe processing power... And as for the firewall, is Zone Alarm Pro good enough? If not I'll upgrade. Originally I was going to use a SWR code and go from there since my MUD is going to be futuristic, have space flight, and be able to engineer things... Also, do you know how materiamagica does that map thing? Eventually I want to be able to have huge planets(in a sense) where you can actually be in a giant robot damaging the terrain and attacking players, with the terrain slowly going back to normal based on gamedays and weather... big list of things, will take forever to do...

What exactly is a MUD? Like, what kind of gameplay? Posting an example would be nice ^_^

Its a text based mutiplayer game. Basically the first MMORPG's that ever existed.

http://www.mudconnect.com/

There are literally thousands of them.