#text-games — Public Fediverse posts

How do you build a vast virtual world when you can't use your hands? Aelyn creates Erion MUD (a multiplayer, medieval fantasy text game) by voice using free, open-source Talon Voice.

Read her story and learn about Erion MUD here: 👇
https://writing-games.org/erion-mud/

#TextGames #Accessibility #OpenSource #RetroGames #IndieGameDev

How do you build a vast virtual world when you can't use your hands? Aelyn creates Erion MUD (a multiplayer, medieval fantasy text game) by voice using free, open-source Talon Voice.

Read her story and learn about Erion MUD here: 👇
https://writing-games.org/erion-mud/

#TextGames #Accessibility #OpenSource #RetroGames #IndieGameDev

For screen reader users, text-based multiplayer games (MUDs) are often easier to access than graphical games.

So why can playing one from a web browser feel harder instead of easier?

Brandon Cross (aka bscross) explains it all in this interview:
https://writing-games.org/accessibility-interview-bscross/

#MUDs #Accessibility #TextGames

For screen reader users, text-based multiplayer games (MUDs) are often easier to access than graphical games.

So why can playing one from a web browser feel harder instead of easier?

Brandon Cross (aka bscross) explains it all in this interview:
https://writing-games.org/accessibility-interview-bscross/

#MUDs #Accessibility #TextGames

Wrapping up Storytelling Week with a shoutout to AwakeMUD CE, a multiplayer text game inspired by #Shadowrun.

It's #OpenSource and puts the community first, ensuring that players are comfortable with the roleplay.

To top it off, AwakeMUD supports screen reader users with several #Accessibility features designed to reduce text spam and improve the experience. 👍

https://writing-games.org/awakemud-shadowrun-text-game/

#FOSS #FOSSFebruary #TextGames #IndieGames

Up next in honor of FOSS February and 📖 Storytelling Week:

Evennia is a free and #OpenSource system for creating your own multiplayer text game.

With tutorials and examples, it lowers the barrier to getting started - a solid option for both experienced devs and beginners learning to code in #Python.

It even comes with a selection of optional add-ons built by the community!

https://writing-games.org/evennia-mu-creation-system/

#FOSSFebruary #IndieGameDev #TextGames #MUDs

Want to make your own multiplayer text game for free? 🤓

If you’re into collaborative writing and storytelling, AresMUSH might be your jam.

It supports asynchronous play - perfect for people with busy schedules.

Despite early naysayers, developer Faraday pushed forward with the project. Today, hundreds of storytellers are actively writing and roleplaying on AresMUSH-powered games.

Faraday's story: https://writing-games.org/aresmush-next-gen-server/

#FOSSFebruary #NationalStorytellingWeek #TextGames

Want to make your own multiplayer text game for free? 🤓

If you’re into collaborative writing and storytelling, AresMUSH might be your jam.

It supports asynchronous play - perfect for people with busy schedules.

Despite early naysayers, developer Faraday pushed forward with the project. Today, hundreds of storytellers are actively writing and roleplaying on AresMUSH-powered games.

Faraday's story: https://writing-games.org/aresmush-next-gen-server/

#FOSSFebruary #NationalStorytellingWeek #TextGames

Congrats to GoMud on another year of development! 🎂

GoMud is a lightweight, open-source engine for creating text-based multiplayer worlds, built using the Go programming language.

In this interview, creator Volte6 talks about why he started the project, how it differs from traditional multi-user dungeon (MUD) engines, and what happens when a simple playtest goes hilariously sideways. 😂

https://writing-games.org/gomud-text-game-engine/

#TextGames #OpenSource #GoLang #GameEngines

Congrats to GoMud on another year of development! 🎂

GoMud is a lightweight, open-source engine for creating text-based multiplayer worlds, built using the Go programming language.

In this interview, creator Volte6 talks about why he started the project, how it differs from traditional multi-user dungeon (MUD) engines, and what happens when a simple playtest goes hilariously sideways. 😂

https://writing-games.org/gomud-text-game-engine/

#TextGames #OpenSource #GoLang #GameEngines

🏰 What do city-building, dream magic, and space trading have in common?

They're all found in Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs) - shared online worlds played through text.

This guide looks at 6 modern MUDs that each do something different, with notes on #accessibility and easy ways to play:

https://medium.com/@the_andruid/6-unique-multi-user-dungeons-worth-exploring-cdc9f16bf1e9

#TextGames #MUDs #GameDesign #IndieGameDev @mystavaria

What do multiplayer text games actually look like in 2026? 🤔

This updated guide highlights 10 long-running Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs) you can still play today, along with 3 additional games that opened more recently.

It also covers #accessibility features, web clients, and a beginner-friendly walkthrough for anyone curious about getting started.

https://medium.com/@the_andruid/multi-user-dungeons-10-games-still-serving-up-text-based-fun-in-2023-1e3951d3bf43

#TextGames #RetroGames #VirtualWorlds #MUDs

What do multiplayer text games actually look like in 2026? 🤔

This updated guide highlights 10 long-running Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs) you can still play today, along with 3 additional games that opened more recently.

It also covers #accessibility features, web clients, and a beginner-friendly walkthrough for anyone curious about getting started.

https://medium.com/@the_andruid/multi-user-dungeons-10-games-still-serving-up-text-based-fun-in-2023-1e3951d3bf43

#TextGames #RetroGames #VirtualWorlds #MUDs

Update!! My feed may have been quiet, but a lot of work has been happening behind the scenes. 🚧

Over the past several weeks, I've been overhauling Writing Games to improve accessibility, UX, and performance. One big change is that the site moved from .com to https://writing-games.org.

Please update any links or bookmarks! 🙏 And if anything appears broken or weird, do let me know. There's always a chance I missed something.

More to come soon...

#TextGames #WebAccessibility #WritingGames

Zork I, II, and III go open source
https://opensource.microsoft.com/blog/2025/11/20/preserving-code-that-shaped-generations-zork-i-ii-and-iii-go-open-source

#Zork #gaming #OpenSource #games #TextGames #RetroGaming

Zork I, II, and III go open source
https://opensource.microsoft.com/blog/2025/11/20/preserving-code-that-shaped-generations-zork-i-ii-and-iii-go-open-source

#Zork #gaming #OpenSource #games #TextGames #RetroGaming

What’s the No. 1 lesson Niymiae of Lumen et Umbra wants future text game creators to know? Hint: it’s not about code. 👀

https://writing-games.org/lumen-et-umbra-mud/

#IndieGameDev #TextGames #RetroGames

Dark Wizardry is his playground. MudVault is his vision.

Asmodeus is reimagining how we find and play multi-user dungeon games - one tool and one idea at a time:

https://writing-games.org/mudvault/

#TextGames #RetroGames #IndieGameDev

What if you could build your own multiplayer virtual world? 🤔

GoMud is a free, open-source engine for making text-based online games using the Go programming language.

I talked with the creator, Volte6, about the project & how it works. He shared a playtest where things went hilariously wrong (in the best way):

https://writing-games.org/gomud-text-game-engine/

#IndieGameDev #RetroGames #TextGames #GoLang

Can Large Language Models Play Text Games Well?

https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02868

#HackerNews #LargeLanguageModels #TextGames #AIResearch #NLP

Can Large Language Models Play Text Games Well?

https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02868

#HackerNews #LargeLanguageModels #TextGames #AIResearch #NLP

What if you could build an entire written world from a PNG file made with MS Paint? 😲

That’s exactly what Hades_Kane and Grieffels did. Their new system turns image files into playable maps for text-based games known as MUDs - complete with in-game editing tools and screen reader support.

Check it out 👉 https://writing-games.org/worldmap-project/

#TextGames #MUDs #IndieGameDev #Accessibility

What if you could build an entire written world from a PNG file made with MS Paint? 😲

That’s exactly what Hades_Kane and Grieffels did. Their new system turns image files into playable maps for text-based games known as MUDs - complete with in-game editing tools and screen reader support.

Check it out 👉 https://writing-games.org/worldmap-project/

#TextGames #MUDs #IndieGameDev #Accessibility

🖥️💾 Introducing: Miner OS
A gritty retro terminal mining sim set in the neon-lit world of the 1980s.

Type. Mine. Upgrade. Survive the digital gold rush.

🎮 Now on itch.io!
🛠️ By BusyBee Games
✍️ Written by Benga Kai
itch.io : https://benga-kai.itch.io/miner-os
#gaming #retrogames #indiedev #indiegame #textgames

Ink Console is a handheld game console with an E Ink display and a focus on interactive stories (Crowdfunding)

Most modern handheld gaming devices are designed to let you play PC, mobile, or console games on the go. But the Ink Console is something different. It’s positioned as a cross between a game console and an eBook reader, developer Dana Puch plans to launch a Crowd Supply crowdfunding campaign for the device on March 1.

While most modern game systems have full-color displays and powerful […]

#danaPuch #eInk #greenBoyGames #handheldGameConsole #inkConsole #interactiveNovel #interactiveStory #textAdventure #textGames

Read more: https://liliputing.com/ink-console-is-a-handheld-game-console-with-an-e-ink-display-and-a-focus-on-interactive-stories-crowdfunding/

ALSO: Happy Anniversary to Alter Aeon and AwakeMUD CE, two great text-based games!

You can read a little bit about them, and other long-running MU* games, here:

https://medium.com/@the_andruid/multi-user-dungeons-10-games-still-serving-up-text-based-fun-in-2023-1e3951d3bf43

(If you have no idea what a MU* is, don't worry -- the article covers that, too. 😂)

#MUDs #TextGames

Happy 2025 to all my fellow text-based game enthusiasts! 🎉 💜

The Events Calendar has been updated for those date-changing "third Flurbsday in Flurbtember" type holidays. You can check it out here:

https://writing-games.org/calendar/

Suggestions for missing holidays and game anniversaries welcome! There's a "Submit an event" button on the page, even. :)

#TextGames #RetroGames #MUDs

50 Years of Text Games:
https://if50.substack.com/p/1980-mud

#Book #eBook #History #TextGames #Mud #Dungeon #RPG #MMO #MMORPG #Adventure #Dev #Indiedev #Coding #Games #Gaming #VideoGames #Retrogaming #RetroComputing #BBS #bbsing #TextMode #MUD #VintageComputers #VintageComputing #OldComputers #OldComputing

50 Years of Text Games: 1980: MUD

https://if50.substack.com/p/1980-mud

I need this one! :0)

From Oregon Trail to AI dungeon and everything..

The Incredible kicking #kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aaronareed/50-years-of-text-games

Some of you got it?

A short video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxBXSMHI7ZI

#Book #eBook #History #TextGames #Mud #Dungeon #RPG #MMO #Adventure #Dev #Indiedev #Coding #Games #Gaming #VideoGames #Retrogaming #RetroComputing #BBS #TextMode #MUD #VintageComputers #VintageComputing #OldComputers #OldComputing

Happy Anniversary, Evennia!! 🥳🎂

Evennia is a modern text-based game engine that helps you create your own #MUD games for free.

Learn more in this interview with Griatch, one of the main developers behind the project:
https://writing-games.org/evennia-mu-creation-system/

#FOSS #TextGames #RetroGames

Happy Anniversary to AresMUSH! 🎂🎉

AresMUSH is a modern platform for creating and running multiplayer, collaborative writing games. It's free and open-source, too.

Learn more in this interview with Faraday, the developer behind AresMUSH:
https://writing-games.org/aresmush-next-gen-server/

One of the things I like most about Faraday's story is that she persevered despite some early naysayers of the project. Glad she did!

#HappyBirthday #MUSHes #MUDs #TextGames

Firing up #Inform7 on my #Mac to write another #interactiveFiction #game. Getting stuck into the prologue. This will be a much bigger game than I've written before, including 7 main sections in the #code. It is going to take some time. So best get on with it sooner rather than later! Excited to be back #coding. There's something magical about using this #declarative / #naturalLanguage / #objectOriented #programming language and IDE. #GameDev #IndieGame #TextGames #Parser #TextAdventure #Inform

Firing up #Inform7 on my #Mac to write another #interactiveFiction #game. Getting stuck into the prologue. This will be a much bigger game than I've written before, including 7 main sections in the #code. It is going to take some time. So best get on with it sooner rather than later! Excited to be back #coding. There's something magical about using this #declarative / #naturalLanguage / #objectOriented #programming language and IDE. #GameDev #IndieGame #TextGames #Parser #TextAdventure #Inform

Brainstorming a new IF game (IFComp 2025 maybe?) and came up with 10 very rough ideas. One calls out to me the most strongly, but I may also include elements of another five. That should be enough for getting on with! Much to do, but excited. As with the last one I want to get the bulk of the design in place before coding. Many months of slowly musing over ideas to come. #InteractiveFiction #IFComp #GameDev #IndieGame #IndieGames #TextGames #CreativeWriting #Game

Brainstorming a new IF game (IFComp 2025 maybe?) and came up with 10 very rough ideas. One calls out to me the most strongly, but I may also include elements of another five. That should be enough for getting on with! Much to do, but excited. As with the last one I want to get the bulk of the design in place before coding. Many months of slowly musing over ideas to come. #InteractiveFiction #IFComp #GameDev #IndieGame #IndieGames #TextGames #CreativeWriting #Game

It's the last day (until 23:59 Eastern Standard Time on 1st August 2024) to submit an intent to enter a new #interactiveFiction #game in #IFComp 2024. If you want to enter this year, don't miss out! You can't register after today. Your final finished game is due by 28th August, and the competition is open for judging in September. https://ifcomp.org #IFComp2024 #IndieGame #IndieGames #GameDev #TextGames

It's the last day (until 23:59 Eastern Standard Time on 1st August 2024) to submit an intent to enter a new #interactiveFiction #game in #IFComp 2024. If you want to enter this year, don't miss out! You can't register after today. Your final finished game is due by 28th August, and the competition is open for judging in September. https://ifcomp.org #IFComp2024 #IndieGame #IndieGames #GameDev #TextGames

Reminder to any fellow #interactiveFiction authors planning to enter #IFComp this year: you must submit an intent to enter no later than 1st August. Game files then due 28th August. Everything is running a month earlier this year. Don't leave it too late if you want to enter. Good luck! https://ifcomp.org #TextAdventure #GameDev #IndieGames #TextGames #IFComp2024

Reminder to any fellow #interactiveFiction authors planning to enter #IFComp this year: you must submit an intent to enter no later than 1st August. Game files then due 28th August. Everything is running a month earlier this year. Don't leave it too late if you want to enter. Good luck! https://ifcomp.org #TextAdventure #GameDev #IndieGames #TextGames #IFComp2024

Happy #SysAdminDay! Shout out to all the hard-working volunteers who support the community's favorite multi-user (MU*) games from behind the scenes - we appreciate you! 💜

https://writing-games.org/sysadmin-day/

#TextGames #RetroGames #IndieGameDev

In this latest interview, Blu and Roadspike share lessons learned from running roleplaying games online.

I especially like this tip: have a mission statement that guides your decisions and keeps you on track.

https://writing-games.org/blu-and-roadspike/

#IndieGameDev #MUSHes #TextGames

Musing my next #interactiveFiction game, as I get near to the end of preparing my latest #game to go into #IFComp 2024. I've various other IF #games in long development, but fancy trying another shorter game, working out the #design in detail beforehand, then coding it up. Which worked well this time. And I had such fun working on this game I want to follow it with another project. #IndieGames #GameDev #TextAdventure #TextGames #CreativeWriting #IFComp2024 #GameDesign

Musing my next #interactiveFiction game, as I get near to the end of preparing my latest #game to go into #IFComp 2024. I've various other IF #games in long development, but fancy trying another shorter game, working out the #design in detail beforehand, then coding it up. Which worked well this time. And I had such fun working on this game I want to follow it with another project. #IndieGames #GameDev #TextAdventure #TextGames #CreativeWriting #IFComp2024 #GameDesign

I'm entering a new #interactiveFiction #textAdventure #game in #IFComp next month. Have had huge help from some wonderful playtesters, helping me smooth the playing experience. Today my husband is playtesting for me. I am very nervous! He's played IF games since the 1990s, but erm yup. I'm currently avoiding the study where he is. His initial hiccup was getting an interpreter to work well on his #Linux, but happily now using Lectrote. Eek! #IFComp2024 #IndieGames #GameDev #TextGames #Playtesting

I'm entering a new #interactiveFiction #textAdventure #game in #IFComp next month. Have had huge help from some wonderful playtesters, helping me smooth the playing experience. Today my husband is playtesting for me. I am very nervous! He's played IF games since the 1990s, but erm yup. I'm currently avoiding the study where he is. His initial hiccup was getting an interpreter to work well on his #Linux, but happily now using Lectrote. Eek! #IFComp2024 #IndieGames #GameDev #TextGames #Playtesting

Mianzhi Wang has written a small text-based PhD simulator game: https://research.wmz.ninja/projects/phd/index.html

The approach that worked for me in real life also seemed to work in the game. 😁

#phd #academia #research #phdthesis #phdresearch #textgames

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/06/from-infocom-to-80-days-an-oral-history-of-text-games-and-interactive-fiction #TextAdventure #textGames #interactiveFiction

I have just registered to enter IFComp 2024. Eek! Still to add cover art (I'm doing it) and obviously the final game file. But very excited. I will have the entry ready by mid August, after the current final round of playtesting. https://ifcomp.org #InteractiveFiction #IFComp #TextAdventure #GameDev #IndieGames #TextGames #IFComp2024 #Playtesting #CoverArt

Sending out my IFComp 2024 game for its final round of playtesting. Scary and exciting at the same time! #IFComp #IFComp2024 #InteractiveFiction #TextAdventure #TextGames #IndieGames #GameDev #Playtesting #Coding

Tonight’s supper #reading material. And hugely relieved that past me stuck postit notes in years ago at just the sections I need right now for polishing my latest #interactiveFiction #game! #textAdventure #GameDev #TextGames #IndieGames #IFComp #games #coding #Inform #books #Bookstodon

From Infocom to 80 Days: An oral history of text games and interactive fiction https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/06/from-infocom-to-80-days-an-oral-history-of-text-games-and-interactive-fiction/ #interactiveFiction #textAdventure #Games #Infocom #Inform #Twine #TextGames #GameDev #IndieGames #ComputingHistory #RetroGaming #VintageComputing #CYOA

"You are standing at the end of a road before a small brick building."

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/06/from-infocom-to-80-days-an-oral-history-of-text-games-and-interactive-fiction/

#TextGames #InteractiveFiction #IF #gaming #videogames #history

Happy 33rd Birthday, StickMUD!!! 🎂 🎉

For those who don't know: StickMUD is a text-based, medieval fantasy adventuring game you can play online with friends for free!

It's run by a pretty cool dude who cares about #accessibility and is always looking for ways to improve the game. Helpful Discord and lots of events, too.

You can check it out for yourself at stickmud.com

#RetroGames #TextGames #MUDs

Retired engineer discovers 55-year-old bug in Lunar Lander computer game code https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/06/retired-engineer-discovers-55-year-old-bug-in-lunar-lander-computer-game-code/ #Games #RetroGaming #ComputerGames #VintageComputing #RetroComputing #Computing #ComputingHistory #TextGames #LunarLander #Space #SpaceGames #Physics

More #IFComp #interactiveFiction #game development, going through my playtester reports and transcripts, noting in a big Word document everything I need to improve/smooth this month. So I can work through and tick things off. It's lovely reading the transcripts, seeing how people played my new game. #GameDev #IndieGames #TextAdventure #Coding #IFComp2024 #TextGames

Blitzed lots more game #coding overnight. Now just have to draw up a walkthrough and instructions for playtesters, and then I can send out the recruitment call for volunteers. Going to leave it a day or two before doing that to give me a bit of a break, and a bit of distance. But delighted to get to this stage. This is my latest #interactiveFiction / parser #textAdventure #game, that I'm entering into #IFComp this August coming. #IFComp2024 #GameDev #IndieGames #TextGames #CreativeWriting