MUDs are a type of game where everything you do is through text, just like the text you are reading right now. Unlike games that show you exactly how everything should look via HD graphics, MUDs encourages players to use their imaginations.

You might think that in a world where smartphones and tablets boast graphics as sharp as the flat screen televisions connected to our gaming consoles, that nobody would want to bother with a game that lacks pictures. However, MUDs are alive and kicking.

Not only are they alive and kicking, but MUD games offer so many options versus games that rely on graphics for their success. Although I love video games and own a good number for my gaming console, most of them can’t touch MUDs when it comes to roleplay. Here are some other benefits.

• Unique Character creation – When you play a game with graphics, usually you choose from a selection of stock characters with little variation. The Tiger Woods PGA Tour series offers a lot of creative freedom when it comes to customizing your character, but they all pretty much say the same phrases. Text MUDs not only let you describe your character to be as unique as you are, but you also get to choose the speech and other custom details.

• Varying Weapon Stats – Most graphic-based games I play have weapons, but they all have the exact same stats as other weapons of that type. In Achaea, characters have the forging ability which offers them the chance to create weapons with a variety of stats. If your character forges 50 swords and they all have less than ideal statistics, you can smelt them for slightly less commodities than it took to create them and try again.

• Full Sensory Immersion – The benefit of text games is that you can use your own creative juices to imagine whatever you are reading. Achaea holds its creative building teams to high standards. This means that you won’t be distracted by misspelled words or poor grammar choices. Even adventurers with crafting licenses who design food, fashion accessories, and clothing must submit their creations to the Crafting Guild for approval.

• More Emotions than an Emo-Kid – Graphic-based games allow you to express yourself through a few different stock emotions. Some add in the benefit of a chat room where people might add flavor to the conversation through text. However Achaea has several hundred preset emoticons, called emotes, which are lines of text that emulate actions. And if you can’t find the one you need to express your character’s feelings, you can use EM (whatever) to use a custom emote to get the point across.

• Customer Service - In all the time I have spent playing various types of online games, I have never found another one with a support system that compares to the one in Achaea. In addition to all the HELP files, you can BUG things that do not work like they should, TYPO spelling or grammar mistakes, and use the IDEA command to suggest ways to improve the game.

It’s Easy as Kicking Rats

At first, playing a text-based MUD can seem rather complicated. There are so many commands to remember. And on top of the game rules, each house, city, and other organization seems to have even more rules that must be followed else your character suffer the consequences.

At the advice of the friend who introduced me to Achaea, I read up on the available classes, cities, and houses. Knowing what type of character I planned to create helped get me started. But when that character didn’t work out, for various reasons, it was even easier to start out with my second character because I already knew the basics.

If you have never tried a text-based RPG before, then what is the holdup? You are probably already at your computer if you are reading this, so why not log into Achaea? Roll up a character and once you complete the incredibly helpful newbie trial, you can get started on your first adventure. You might even see me in there!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emily Saunders is a freelance photographer who was looking for a way to kill time online between photo shoots. A friend introduced her to "MUD games" and it wasn’t long before she was spending a couple of hours a day typing out commands in the quest to reach Dragonhood. When she is not gaming or traveling for her job, Emily enjoys spending time with her friends and family.