Chapter 1: Introduction to MUDs

If you're seeking a long-term project that can significantly enhance your coding skills, consider developing a Multi-User Dungeon (MUD). MUDs are exceptional tools for learning programming, offering a blend of enjoyment, collaboration, and the opportunity to create a variety of features such as blogs, databases, and leaderboards.

Working on a MUD will introduce you to essential programming concepts, including socket programming, server setup, and, if you desire, object-oriented programming (OOP). Opting for a lower-level programming language will deepen your understanding of memory management, project scaling, pointers, meta-programming, and even framework development.

MUDs serve as fantastic long-term projects (see article link).

For further insights, feel free to open my blog articles in a new tab using CTRL+Click to read later. I've discussed project development as one of the most effective methods to learn programming. While game development is inherently enjoyable, MUDs represent one of the most accessible forms of multiplayer game creation.

Having participated in developing a private server for Runescape, which functions similarly to a MUD but in a 3D environment, I can attest to the benefits of such projects for honing coding skills. Reflecting on this experience, I recognize how valuable a text-based MUD can be for anyone looking to learn to program.

Why Focus on Text-Based Gaming?

Many successful games, including Runescape, originated as MUDs and gradually evolved into fully rendered experiences. It's worth noting that the Gower brothers, creators of Runescape, had extensive experience in the gaming industry, particularly in graphics programming, prior to their work on the game. Graphics programming in 1998 was considerably less complex than it is today, with modern graphics APIs offering extensive features but requiring more code to implement.

This complexity is why I advocate for sticking with text-based development. Creating 2D or 3D graphics for video games demands significant upfront investment in time and effort.

Backend Development

Starting a telnet server is both quick and straightforward. You can create one in any programming language of your choice. Here's a simple example of a telnet server in Python:

import socket

def start_telnet_server(port):

sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)

server_address = ('localhost', port)

print(f"Starting up echo server on {server_address[0]} port {server_address[1]}")

sock.bind(server_address)

sock.listen(1)

while True:

print("Waiting for a connection...")

connection, client_address = sock.accept()

try:

print(f"Connection from {client_address}")

while True:

data = connection.recv(16)

print(f"Received: {data.decode()}")

if data:

print("Sending data back to the client")

connection.sendall(data)

break

finally:

connection.close()

start_telnet_server(9999)

You can run this code locally and connect via telnet. Designing your backend telnet server allows for a variety of programming approaches, whether object-oriented, procedural, or functional. This is an exciting way to learn about networking.

Once you have your game up and running, you can host it on an affordable VPS like IONOS and link it to a domain name, and voilà! You have a MUD game.

Utilizing Ticks

One key design principle I recommend is incorporating ticks to synchronize all players in the game. This involves updating players within a while loop at regular intervals.

import time

def updatePlayers():

pass

def game_logic():

updatePlayers()

def main_loop():

last_tick = time.time()

while True:

game_logic()

time.sleep(600)

main_loop()

The concept is straightforward: pause for your desired tick duration, then refresh the game world. This approach is standard in game development, and a longer tick time, like 600 milliseconds, allows for a larger number of players to be accommodated on a single server.

Database Selection

You can choose any database that suits your needs, whether it's a simple NoSQL option like MongoDB or a more complex SQL variant. Personally, I favor MongoDB for its simplicity. You can save world and player data either on the VPS filesystem or within a database.

For instance, our multiplayer game, Darkan, operates on a multi-world system where each world has a local cache, and all player-specific data is stored in MongoDB. You can create a Player class that encapsulates all player data, saving it to JSON and managing it within your database.

For a player login setup using MongoDB, it might look something like this:

{

"username": "exampleUser",

"stats": {

"level": 1,

"experience": 0

}

}

You can also automate processes using MongoDB. If you're unfamiliar with it, I have a guide on MongoDB (see article link).

Using Example Code

Numerous open-source MUDs are available across various programming languages. A notable example is the Dark Castle MUD, implemented in C++. You can connect using telnet and start exploring!

Feel free to search GitHub for MUD examples in your preferred language and draw inspiration from them while asking questions to an LLM about server implementation or specific example code.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if I've never heard of MUDs? Do they really have zero players?

It's true that many players today are accustomed to fully interactive 3D games. However, if you develop a compelling MUD, players will engage. I suggest creating a MUD for the sheer joy of programming; it's a fun and exciting challenge.

2. I'm interested in adding 3D or 2D graphics. Is that possible?

If you're keen on graphics development, I recommend starting with WebGL. However, be prepared to invest significant time learning graphics programming and creating your own art. This may involve mastering tools like Blender or sprite creation software. Only pursue graphics if you genuinely enjoy it; otherwise, your MUD may evolve into a more complex MMORPG.

3. How can I make my MUD accessible on a website?

For a web interface, consider developing a simple echo client—essentially a telnet clone for your website. This setup allows for telnet connections via both command line and the web, offering a cool gaming experience.

For web hosting, I recommend using a straightforward HTML/CSS/JS site on GitHub Pages, which provides free hosting and operates entirely on client-side JavaScript.

4. Which programming language should I use?

Choosing a programming language can be approached in two ways: select one you're already familiar with or opt for one you wish to learn. Your choice should reflect whether you prioritize the end product or the learning experience. Are you eager to create a fantastic MUD, or do you want to maximize your learning about a specific language?

5. How do I set up the server and domain?

For hosting, look for an affordable VPS option—aim for a budget of around $2-$3 per month. You can purchase a domain from providers like Namecheap, Hostinger, or others.

In closing, I hope this guide has provided valuable insights into developing your MUD.

Call to Action: Check out my book on learning code!

Happy coding!

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