MUD stands for “multi-user dungeon.” MUDs are typically characterized as text-based proto-MMORPGs.
mud
The Game Archaeologist: Kesmai’s Air Warrior and Legends of Kesmai
Most studios would be overjoyed to have pioneered one significant advancement in video game history, but then again, most studios aren't Kesmai. While it's...
The Game Archaeologist: Raph Koster on MUDs and Privateer Online
The release of Raph Koster's monster book of game essays, Postmortems, was of high interest to Bree and me for different reasons. For her,...
Chronicles of Elyria brings its world to life with player chat and adorable bunnies
You just couldn't resist the bunny post, could you? The bunnies were there and your mind goes, "Aww, fluffy little hoppity hoppers!" and now...
‘Magic through serendipity’: Raph Koster on the glorious mess that was Ultima Online
I was a wide-eyed, naive kid when I first stepped into Ultima Online in 1997, and as it turns out, the developers were too.
That's...
Star Wars Galaxies creator Raph Koster to release postmortem book on MMORPGs
Raph Koster is certainly a well-known name in the MMORPG industry who has spent his career working on titles such as Ultima Online, Star...
The Game Archaeologist: The rebirth of The Realm Online
Debuting in 1996, The Realm Online (or, as it is sometimes shortened, The Realm) became one of the first online RPGs to overlay graphics...
The Game Archaeologist: Warhammer Online
When it comes to notable years in the MMORPG genre's history, 2008 stands out as one of the most significant. World of Warcraft's debut...
Soulbound readies Chronicles of Elyria for pre-alpha
Here is some exciting news for Chronicles of Elyria's fans: The project is nearing its first alpha phase as the dev team lays down...
Massively Overthinking: What we really mean when we talk about ‘difficulty’ in MMORPGs
Massively OP reader Steve wants us to revisit the Daily Grind on making death more meaningful without making it more annoying. His letter was long, so...
Perfect Ten: MMOs that claimed to be the first
We've all been there. We're playing our favorite MMORPG and then self-appointed professors of game history start arguing in world chat about firsts --...
Classic text MMO Torn is coming to Android devices next month
Back in the ancient era of 2016, we pointed you toward a 14-year-old text-based MMORPG called Torn (formerly Torn City). The title gave players...
The Game Archaeologist: A Tale in the Desert
Once asked what he thought was the most innovative MMO from the last decade, Dr. Richard Bartle, the creator of MUD, gave a succinct answer: "A...
GDC 2018: Ultima Online post-mortem with Richard Garriott, Starr Long, Raph Koster, and Rich Vogel
Plenty of panels at GDC are recorded and uploaded to the internet weeks after the event, including this one. It's not quite the same...
Chronicles of Elyria starts taking surname reservations
Clutterbuck. Butterworth. Pigfat. McSneezy. Featherbottom. Wisenheimer. Horsefeathers. Dizzydame. Readmassivelyop.
All of these surnames -- and more -- are up for grabs over at Chronicles of...
The Game Archaeologist: EverQuest Mac
In 2003, Sony Online Entertainment tried an experiment to reach out to the (then) small-but-growing community of Mac users. The company released EverQuest Macintosh...
Perfect Ten: The top 10 sexiest monsters of Monster Hunter World
I remember my first time. Unlike many hunters, I didn't stalk her. In fact, she bumped into me. I was just strolling down the...
The Game Archaeologist: BBS door games
When you think of MMORPGs, I wouldn't blame you if your mind stayed rooted firmly in the past decade or so, perhaps taking a...
The Stream Team: Enjoying New Life festival cheer in Elder Scrolls Online
Celebrate local traditions with Elder Scrolls Online's New Life holiday festival! Massively OP's MJ is looking forward to participating in the Snow Bear Plunge...
Massively Overthinking: Our MMO predictions for 2018
With 2017 drawing to a close and 2018 rushing up to meet us, the Massively OP team has regrouped for another round of bold...
Perfect Ten: 20 upcoming MMOs to watch in 2018
It has become a long-standing tradition as Massively OP and our former site that we like to end the year by creating a list...
