In the Beginning....
"Before Microsoft. Apple. The Web. AOL. The Internet. Before everything, there was PLATO: the first online community. The network that time forgot. The birthplace of instant messaging, chat rooms, MUDs (multi-user dungeons)", Brian Dear.
Back in the late 70's and early 80's while in the military I happened upon this wonderful computer system called Plato. Our students used it to take proficiency tests on CPR. We soon discovered that these terminals had other uses, Muahahahah. This particular computer lab got use, but not what it was intended for. With access to games like Mines of Moria, Oubliette , and then the most successful multi-player dungeon gamegame ever on Plato, Avatar . Soon I found myself spending all my free time and staying late into the night at the Plato Lab traversing dungeons with fellow explorers.
That was in Texas and a long time ago. This Computerized Training Sytem experiment apparently failed to live up to its hype with the Physician Assistant training program it was there to assist with, but no matter, I was hooked, multi-player and dungeon games where for me. Not making much money at the time one of the early consoles I bought was Intellivision ! What a hoot. Even had a D&D game. But the console did not fill the void and I could not afford the Apple2e which my neighbor had so when the Commodore 64 came out I paid a whopping $500 for it and all It had was a keyboard and tape player. No games, no nothing. Came with a book that showed you how to program in basic. Thus my entry into computer programming. Eventually this lead to a cheesy attempt at writing my own text adventure as I was heavily influenced by Infocoms Zork (online java based version of Zork I) series and other Interactive fiction, (this is a great link for those that like this genre). My title, The Taverns of S.C.U.M. (Society of Corrupt USAF Medics). An adventure that also was influenced by my addiction to Montly Pythons Flying Circus. And one of these days I will <Load "SCUM",8,1? >and get some screen shots. (updated) I would completely be remiss if I did not mention Telengard. A DND game for the ages and thanks goes to Sgreth fot that old link to the pc emulator of the game which can be found here.
Well this brings me to the point of this article. For years I have stayed on the CircleMud mailing list as I have always enjoyed text based adventuring. I even keep a copy running on an old SunUltra5 that I managed to get Solaris10 to install on. Many of you "old timers" most likely have played, hacked or built some version of this timeless classic. It seems to pretty much be abandoned, but alas, its alive and well. One of the original developers has given a quasi blessing to a group of dedicated CircleMud programmers that have been carrying the torch to take their code and work towards releasing CircleMud4.0!!! CWG (Circlemud With Goodies) and TBA (The Builder Academy) have been keeping things alive and recently made the announcement on the CircleMud listserver . Wow did that open the flood gates as long lost folks started to show up again.
Its kind of exciting. If you have not been around MUDs in awhile you should join up and check out whats going on. One of my long lost projects is "Shadow of the StormSpirit " a MUD adventure I am working (all be it occasionally) using CWG as a base. Someday I'll get it online. FYI Chronology of computer based role-playing games .
Cheers,
Hellbilly
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