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A MUD client is a game client, a computer application used to connect to a MUD, a type of multiplayer online game. Generally, a MUD client is a very basic telnet client that lacks VT100 terminal emulation and the capability to perform telnet negotiations. On the other hand, MUD clients are enhanced with various features designed to make the MUD telnet interface more accessible to users, and enhance the gameplay of MUDs,[1] with features such as syntax highlighting, keyboard macros, and connection assistance.[2][3]

Standard features seen in most MUD clients include ANSI color support, aliases, triggers and scripting. The client can often be extended almost indefinitely with its built-in scripting language. Most MUDs restrict the usage of scripts because they give an unfair advantage, as well as the fear that the game will end up being played by fully automated clients instead of human beings.[4]

Prominent clients include TinyTalk, TinyFugue, TinTin++, and zMUD.[5][6]

History

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The first MUD client with a notable number of features was Tinytalk by Anton Rang in January 1990, for Unix-like systems.[7] In May 1990 TinyWar 1.1.4 was released by Leo Plotkin which was based on TinyTalk 1.0 and added support for event-driven programming.[8] In September 1990, TinyFugue, which was based on TinyWar 1.2.3 and TT 1.1, was released by Greg Hudson and featured more advanced trigger support.[9] Development of TinyFugue was taken over by Ken Keys in 1991. TinyFugue has continued to evolve and remains a popular client today for Unix-like systems.[citation needed]

TinyFugue, or tf, was primarily written for Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the earliest MUD clients in existence.[10] It is primarily geared toward TinyMUD variants.[11] TinyFugue is extensible through its own macro language, which also ties to its extensive trigger system.[11][12] The trigger system allows implementation of automatically run commands.[13]

Another early client was TINTIN by Peter Unold in April 1992.[14] In October 1992 Peter Unold made his final release, TINTIN III, which was a much more mature and feature rich program.[15] Development of TINTIN was continued by Bill Reiss who announced the release of TinTin++ 1.0 in July 1993.[16] The client gained popularity quickly because of its easy to use scripting language and the popularity of DikuMUD for which it was designed. Being open source with originally no license restrictions, many current clients like GGMud, MudMaster, and Pueblo are based on TinTin++.

Following on from TINTIN's success, Mike Potter was keen to produce a Windows port of the client resulting in the release of zMUD 1.0 in December 1995.[17] zMUD was initially licensed as freeware, but Mike Potter realized that he could make a living from sales of the client and started selling zMUD 4.0 as shareware in September 1996.[18] zMUD is particularly noted for its automapping capabilities.[19][20]

MUSHclient

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MUSHclient
Developer(s)Nick Gammon
Stable release
4.96 / December 2, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-12-02)
PlatformMicrosoft Windows
TypeMUD client
Websitemushclient.com

MUSHclient is a MUD client and peer-to-peer chat system originally written and maintained by Nick Gammon. The client is released as freeware.[21][22][23] The source to the client is also available on GitHub.[24]

Features

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MUSHclient is highly flexible, and provides aliases, hotkeys, triggers (text-matching), command-execution timing, variables, multi-session support, ANSI-colour customisation and speed-walking.[21] In July 2008, support for "miniwindows" was added, which allows MUD programmers to customize graphical elements to the screen, such as a map.[23]

MUSHclient is compatible with screen readers such as JAWS, which read text out loud and allow blind users to play MUDs.[25][21][26]

MUSHclient offers extensive scripting support via the Windows Script Host-supported languages, such as VBScript and JavaScript, as well as the platform-independent Lua-scripting. It also supports MCCP and MXP.[22][23][27]

MUSHclient is also a peer-to-peer chat system using TCP/IP, featuring group calls and file transfers. This chat system is vulnerable to penetration attacks.[28]

Portability

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Although primarily written for Microsoft Windows, MUSHclient has been successfully run both under the Linux operating system by using Wine,[29] and the Mac OS X operating system via Boot Camp and Parallels Desktop for Mac.[30]

MUME

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MUME
Developer(s)Philippe "Eru" Rochat, Claude "CryHavoc" Indermitte, Pier "Manwë" Donini, David "Nada" Gay, Gustav "Dáin" Hållberg, project community
EngineDikuMUD
Platform(s)Platform independent
Release1992
Genre(s)Middle-earth MUD
Mode(s)Multiplayer

MUME, Multi-Users in Middle-earth,[31] is one of the early offspring of DikuMUD, created in 1991[32] by Philippe "Eru" Rochat, who was soon joined by Claude "CryHavoc" Indermitte, Pier "Manwë" Donini, and David "Nada" Gay. The game was built as an homage to J. R. R. Tolkien's world as described in The Lord of the Rings.[31] MUME has since released several new versions, incorporating new changes and areas that recreate Tolkien's world in text format.

MUME enjoys a measure of popularity in the MUD world.[33] MUME is included in The Historical DikuMUD List hosted on the official DikuMUD web site, marking it as one of the longest-running DikuMUDs.[34][35] In a September 2000 interview Raph Koster, the lead designer of Ultima Online and the chief creative officer of EverQuest II, lists MUME as one of the games that influenced him as a game designer by "doing such interesting things with player conflict".[36]

In April 1998, MUME was named MUD of the Month at The Mud Connector.[37][38]

Technical details

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MUME is based on DikuMUD.[31] The core of MUME is written in C, while the mudlib (global critical code, such as game commands, justice system support and shop functionality) and game world (code for specific rooms, mobiles, and objects) are written in Mudlle.

MUME makes the standalone version of its building and scripting language, Mudlle, publicly available.[39] Mudlle was created by David "Nada" Gay and developed by him and Gustav "Dáin" Hållberg.

MUME uses PowTTY, a client based upon Powwow (for unix) and PuTTY.

Operating systems

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The operating systems the clients can run on.

Name Windows Mac OS X Linux BSD Unix Android iOS
AMudClient No No Yes No Yes No No
Atlantis No Yes No No No No No
BeipMU Yes No No No No No No
BioMUD Yes No No No No No No
BlowTorch No No No No No Yes No
CMUD Yes No No No No No No
GGMUD Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
GMUD Yes No No No No No No
Gnome-Mud No No Yes No No No No
JamochaMUD CPI CPI CPI CPI CPI No No
KBtin No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
KildClient Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
KMuddy No Yes Yes Yes No No No
Lyntin CPI CPI CPI CPI CPI No No
mcl No No Yes No No No No
muby No CPI CPI CPI CPI No No
Mudlet Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
MudMagic Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
MUDRammer No No No No No No Yes
MUSHclient Yes No No No No No No
Portal Yes No No No No No No
Potato CPI CPI CPI CPI CPI CPI CPI
Powwow Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Pueblo/UE Yes No No No No No No
SimpleMU Yes No No No No No No
Soiled CPI CPI CPI CPI CPI No No
TinTin++ Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
TinyFugue Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Tortilla Yes No No No No No No
Trebuchet CPI CPI CPI CPI CPI No No
Wintin.Net Yes No No No No No No
zMUD Yes No No No No No No

Protocol support

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Information about what protocols the clients support.

Name COLOR VT100 TLS NAWS[40] EOR[41] ECHO[42] MCCP MXP MSP MMCP 256 colors Unicode
AMudClient Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes
Atlantis Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No Yes Yes
BeipMU Yes No Yes No No No No No No No Yes Yes
BioMUD Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes No
BlowTorch Yes No No No No No No No No No Yes No
CMUD Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No
GGMUD Yes No No No No Yes Yes No No No No No
GMUD Yes No No No No No No No No No No No
Gnome-Mud Yes No No No No No No No No No Yes No
JamochaMUD Yes No Yes No No No Partial No No No No No
KBtin Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes
KildClient Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
KMuddy Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Lyntin Yes No No No No No No No No No Yes No
mcl Yes No No No No No Yes No No Yes Yes No
muby Yes No No No No No No No No No Yes No
Mudlet Yes No No Yes No No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes
MudMagic Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
MUSHclient Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Portal Yes No No No No No No No No No No No
Potato Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No No No Yes Yes
Powwow Yes Yes No Yes No Yes No No No No Yes No
Pueblo/UE Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes No No No No
SimpleMU Yes No No No No No Yes No Yes No No No
Soiled Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes No
TinTin++ Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
TinyFugue Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No
Tortilla Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes
Trebuchet Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No
Wintin.Net Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No
zMUD Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
  • A locally ran MCCP or TLS proxy server can be used by clients that do not support MCCP or TLS natively.
  • Many MUD clients will be able to display Unicode characters but will have wordwrapping issues without proper support.

Scripting support

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Name C# Client-Specific Lua Perl Python Ruby TINTIN VB.NET Tcl PHP JScript
AMudClient No Yes No Yes No No No No No No No
Atlantis No Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No
BeipMU WSH No No WSH WSH WSH No WSH No No WSH
BioMUD No Yes Yes No No No No No No No No
BlowTorch No Minimal Yes No No No No No No No No
CMUD WSH No Yes WSH WSH WSH Yes WSH No No WSH
GGMUD No No Yes No No No Yes No No No No
GMUD No Minimal No No No No No No No No No
Gnome-Mud No No No No Yes No No No No No No
JamochaMUD No Minimal No No No No No No No No No
KBtin No No CLI CLI CLI CLI Yes No CLI CLI No
KildClient No No No Yes No No No No No No No
KMuddy No Minimal Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No
Lyntin No No No No Yes No Yes No No No No
mcl No Yes No No No No No No No No No
muby No No No No No Yes No No No No No
Mudlet No No Yes No No No No No No No No
MudMagic No No No Yes Yes No No No No No No
MUSHclient No No Yes Yes Yes Minimal No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Portal No Yes No No No No No No No No No
Potato No Yes No No No No No No Yes No No
Powwow No Yes No No No No No No No No No
Pueblo/UE No No No No No No Yes No No No No
SimpleMU No No No No No No No No No No No
Soiled No No No No No No No No No No No
TinTin++ No No CLI CLI CLI CLI Yes No CLI CLI No
TinyFugue No Yes No No No No No No No No No
Tortilla No No Yes No No No Yes No No No No
Trebuchet No No No No No No No No Yes No No
Wintin.Net Yes No No No No No Yes Yes No No No
zMUD WSH No No WSH WSH WSH Yes WSH No No WSH

Notes

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  • WSH: Windows Script Host allows the execution of various scripting languages.
  • CLI: command-line interface using redirection, not to be confused with system (C standard library)
  • Many clients provide their own scripting language, sometimes in addition to another scripting language.
  • Clients providing a modified version of the original TINTIN scripting language are listed as supporting TINTIN.
  • MXP
    This article is about the computing abbreviation MXP. For other uses of MXP, see MXP (disambiguation).
HTML-like hyperlinks in a MUD client implementing MXP.

In computing, MXP stands for MUD eXtension Protocol.[43] It is used in MUDs to enhance the normal text output with a markup language [44] loosely based on HTML and XML.[45] In order for MXP to be used it must be implemented on the server as well as on the MUD client.[46] MXP is in the public domain.[47]

Other uses

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MXP is also used by the CERDEC as communication protocol.[48]

References

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  1. ^ Levine, John R. (1997). More Internet for Dummies. IDG Books. p. 199. ISBN 0-7645-0135-6. A better way to connect to a MUD is by using a MUD client program: a program specifically designed for MUDding. A MUD program is really a telnet program that has had various MUD-related commands added.
  2. ^ Shah & Romine 1995, p. 257, "Features include regular expression hilites and gags, auto-login, macros, line editing, screen mode, triggers, cyberportals, logging, file and command uploading, shells, and multiple connects."
  3. ^ Busey 1995, p. 200, "The TinyFugue system has long been a popular client interface for players of MOO, MUCK, and many TinyMUD-derivative systems. With a robust feature list supporting multiple sessions, macros, triggers and automation, command history and other functions, TinyFugue offers users maximum control over their environment. Although more recent programs such as Tintin++ have gained large followings, many MUD players continue to use TinyFugue because of its power and flexibility in the hands of an experience client programmer."
  4. ^ Raph Koster (2008). "A brief history of botting". Everyone's advice to a newbie was "get a client", followed by the lengthy caveat that a given mud had specific rules about what was permissible. In other words, the third-party tools were seen as something that added invaluable interface enhancements, but that also afforded a bit too much power.
  5. ^ Cheong 1996, p. 256.
  6. ^ Bartle 2003, p. 481.
  7. ^ Anton Rang (1990). "TinyTalk 1.0 is now available for anonymous FTP". TinyTalk is an interface to the TinyMUD system. It replaces telnet, and adds many new features.
  8. ^ Jason Downs (1990). "TinyWar does exist! Here it is..." The program you are using now. Tinywar is a modified tinytalk, the later program originally written by Anton Rang. It's a telnet clone, with MUD-specific features.
  9. ^ Greg Hudson (1990). "TinyFugue 1.1.4 released to anonymous FTP". TinyFugue is, I believe, the most advanced TinyClient to date, incorporating most of the features of TinyWar 1.2.3, the features of GrimJim's TT 1.1.jwl-2 beta, many of my own enhancements (such as extensive re-entrance, trigger priority, and trigger probability), and input/output windows.
  10. ^ Mulligan, Jessica; Patrovsky, Bridgette (2003). Developing Online Games: An Insider's Guide. New Riders. p. 453. ISBN 1-59273-000-0. 1990 [...] The MUD client tinyFugue is available now in version 1.4 Beta.
  11. ^ a b Shah, Rawn; Romine, James (1995). Playing MUDs on the Internet. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p. 257. ISBN 0-471-11633-5. TinyFugue [...] Commonly known as tf. Designed primarily for TinyMud-style Muds, although will run on LPMUDs and Dikus. Features include regular expression hilites and gags, auto-login, macros, line editing, screen mode, triggers, cyberportals, logging, file and command uploading, shells, and multiple connects.
  12. ^ Busey, Andrew (1995). Secrets of the MUD Wizards. SAMS Publishing. p. 200. ISBN 0-672-30723-5. The TinyFugue system has long been a popular client interface for players of MOO, MUCK, and many TinyMUD-derivative systems. With a robust feature list supporting multiple sessions, macros, triggers and automation, command history and other functions, TinyFugue offers users maximum control over their environment. Although more recent programs such as Tintin++ have gained large followings, many MUD players continue to use TinyFugue because of its power and flexibility in the hands of an experience client programmer.
  13. ^ Cheong, Fah-Chun (1996). Internet Agents: Spiders, Wanderers, Brokers, and Bots. New Riders. pp. 256. ISBN 1-56205-463-5. There are also front-end client programs, such as TinyTalk, TinyFugue, and Tintin, that provide an easier interface to the MUDs for their human players. They can handle some of the more routine work—for example, automatically greeting anyone who enters the room.
  14. ^ Peter Unold (1992). "TINTIN - a dikumud client". (T)he K(I)cki(N) (T)ick D(I)kumud Clie(N)t (hell I simply wanted it to be called TINTIN....)
  15. ^ Peter Unold (1992). "TINTIN III released". TINTIN III is a mud client special designed to help dikumudders. It runs under various UNIX implementations.
  16. ^ Bill Reiss (1993). "where to get tintin++". Since Berkeley removed its diku base, I have put a copy of tintin++ 1.0 beta on flipper.pvv.unit.no in the pub/mud/diku directory. From here on, I will most likely be putting the updates to tintin++ there.
  17. ^ Mike Potter (1995). "New Winsock MUD Client: zMUD". zMUD is a powerful client, with many features of TinTin++, as well as graphical interface features such as customizeable buttons.
  18. ^ Mike Potter (2006). "About Zugg Software". Sep 1996 zMUD v4.0 is released as Shareware -- Zugg Software officially formed
  19. ^ Dodge, Martin; Kitchin, Rob (2000-09-02). Mapping Cyberspace. Routledge. p. 153. ISBN 0-415-19884-4. One interesting approach that attempts to achieve this is, is one which automatically records movement through MUD space, using this information to dynamically map the spaces visited. Such an approach has been adopted by the zMUD client, from Zugg Software, which includes the automapping tool shown in figure 8.5. zMUD can be configured to decode the room descriptions, and to record the standard cardinal walking directions, teleports and one-way links.
  20. ^ Bartle, Richard (2003). Designing Virtual Worlds. New Riders. p. 481. ISBN 0-13-101816-7. Some clients (zMUD is the best-known) constructed for use with generic textual worlds can automap arbitrary room connections, exploring a virtual world exhaustively to produce an accurate map.
  21. ^ a b c "AudioGames, your resource for audiogames, games for the blind, games for the visually impaired!".
  22. ^ a b "MUSHClient". Materia Magica. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015.
  23. ^ a b c "MUSHclient « The Twilight Sun". jonathan.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010.
  24. ^ "MUSHclient source". GitHub.
  25. ^ "Mushclient resources".
  26. ^ "RandyLaptop: MUSHclient: - accessible, powerful MUDding". Archived from the original on 2008-02-23.
  27. ^ "Getting started with Mushclient - Online Games".
  28. ^ gifre.org [permanent dead link]
  29. ^ "WineHQ - MUSHclient". appdb.winehq.org.
  30. ^ Bobbiac (2007-05-18). "MUSHclient in OS X (Mactel Only. Sorry PPC People.)".
  31. ^ a b c Maloni, Kelly; Baker, Derek; Wice, Nathaniel (1994). Net Games. Random House / Michael Wolff & Company, Inc. p. 79. ISBN 0-679-75592-6. MUME IV Multi-Users in Middle Earth, or MUME, simulates Tolkien's world of Middle Earth. [...] Role-playing is encouraged, but this is primarily an adventure and combat MUD. [...] Server: Diku
  32. ^ "The Last Outpost". Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2010-04-06. MUME (1992)
  33. ^ Nayar, Pramad K. (2010). An Introduction to New Media and Cybercultures. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-4051-8166-2. It is therefore interesting to see the online spaces of MUDs being created along the lines of fictional worlds in novels. Popular examples include the online game Discworld MUD, based on Terry Pratchett's fiction (discworld.atuin.net/lpc/), or MUME (Multi-Users in Middle Earth, (www.lordotrings.com/artmedia/mume.asp) and LOTRO (Lord of the Rings Online, lotro.turbine.com/), based on J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
  34. ^ Herlihy, Jay (2003-04-25). "The Oldest DikuMuds". dikumud.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  35. ^ Herlihy, Jay (1998-10-09). "The Historical DikuMUD List". rec.games.mud.diku. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  36. ^ Aihoshi, Richard. "Raph Koster Interview". VaultNetwork. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2000-10-17. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  37. ^ "April '98 Mud of the Month". The Mud Connector. April 1998. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  38. ^ Hall, Lynne (1999-05-30). "TMC Reviews: MUME - Multi Users In Middle Earth". The Mud Connector.
  39. ^ "Mudlle download site". Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  40. ^ Waitzman, D. (October 1988). "Telnet window size option". tools.ietf.org. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  41. ^ Postel, J. (December 1983). "Telnet end of record option". tools.ietf.org. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  42. ^ Postel, J.; Reynolds, J. (May 1983). "Telnet Echo Option". tools.ietf.org. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  43. ^ "MUD eXtension Protocol (MXP)". Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  44. ^ Gonzalo Hurtado Nuño (2009). "Creación de un mundo virtual e interfaz gráfica como plataforma de investigación de agentes/robots autónomos" (PDF). etiquetas MXP{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  45. ^ "MXP (Mud eXtension Protocol)". God Wars II. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
  46. ^ "How to add MXP support to your MUD server". Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  47. ^ "MXP design notes". Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  48. ^ Gregory E. Saunders (2008). "A Cultural Shift in Army Enterprise Architecture Paves the Way for Mission Success in an Era of Persistent Conflict" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2013. ESB: ESB Capabilities Brick Owner: CERDEC Version: 0.7 [..] Communication (MXP, web services, transport protocols, routing, addressing) [...] MXP = MUD Extension Protocol{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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