MUDs are the text-based precursor to MMOs and there are thousands littered across the internet – some even have hundreds of players!

Without the limitations of graphics, the systems can get quite intricate and the pared-down text interface helps expose the workings of these mechanics. It’s easy to figure out how game dev objects work once you interact with Iron Realms crafting, for example, where you enter descriptive text for every situation a player might encounter.

Links (but don’t just go by the top games, some ancient abandoned games have interesting ideas as well!):

– /r/MUD
– http://www.mudconnect.com/
– https://www.topmudsites.com/

Some of my personal favorites for game design inspiration:

– New Moon. Has fun NPC design, like arresting players (complete with jailbreak attempts) and different day/night behaviour. Very responsive to command-based exploration. http://eclipse.cs.pdx.edu/

–  Iron Realms Entertainment. Company that runs several polished, staffed games. Lots of complex systems like intricate combat, sea/spacefaring, puzzle quests. https://www.ironrealms.com/

– Avalon: the Legend Lives. Big historic game, was the first online multiplayer rpg. Mostly abandoned and buggy these days, but it has some very interesting ideas. The economy/warfare system in particular is fabulously designed, with constant tension and resource management ensuring player cities always want to skirmish for power. The war system got an update that made it REALLY complex, but there might be docs online of the older, more elegant version.  https://www.avalon-rpg.com/

***Important note***: this post was originally written a few years ago – Avalon is now offline, which is a fucking shame because it should be documented for video game history.