[MUD-Dev] Re: stuff that makes me leave (was Re: In game bulletin...)

[Richard Woolcock]

Sorry if this is getting off-topic.

Dan Shiovitz wrote:
> 

[snip]

>   Forest's Edge hits the correct mid-point between these really well,
>   with a guide that'll say "hi, if you're new, here are a few places
>   to check out", but you can do whatever you want if those don't
>   strike your fancy.)

I checked it out.  One of my pet hates is diku muds that don't list
credits - which is what this mud appears to be.  I also found the
help file extremely lacking - they didn't even have entries for things 
like 'look', 'get', 'drop', 'races' (although there were entries on 
specific races), etc.  The classes were the stock four plus the almost-
stock paladin, monk and ranger.  The world appeared original, and the 
mud sported a simple introduction system which I like in roleplay muds,
although the odd:

   Info || Izusa has gained level 3.

And:

   Info || Sable killed by a large black worker ant.

Very much ruined the roleplay atmosphere for me (I dislike levels anyway,
but 'infos' really spoil it).

The character generation was fairly short and to the point, but allowed 
for minor customisation.  The 'score' sheet was nicely laid out but packed
full of statistics - allow me to demonstrate:
<20hp 52e 100mv NESW> score
                                     Zadmar
                                     ------
         Level: 1          Exp.Lvl: 100
          Hits: 20/20       Energy: 52/52        Moves: 100/100
         Items: 5/81        Weight: 8/500          Age: 18 years
      Qst_Pnts: 0        Prac_Pnts: 25        Gsp_Pnts: 51
     Hit Regen: 0.5      Ene Regen: 1.2       Mv Regen: 3.5
       Hitroll: +3.00      Damroll: +1.67

     Str: 17(17)  Int: 10(10)  Wis: 10(10)  Dex: 18(18)  Con: 11(11)

       Magic: -2%       Fire: +0%       Cold: +0%       Mind: +21%
    Electric: +0%       Acid: +0%     Poison: -7%

        Coins: 5 sp.
     Position: [ standing ]  Condition: [ sober ]

              [Also try the command identity for more information.]

Once again I dislike having numbers thrown at me in a roleplaying mud.
Something else I *really* hate is:

   <20hp 52e 100mv NESW> consider frog
   Attacking and suicide are equivalent.

Frogs...snails...worms...surely a starting character shouldn't be THAT
weak?

Aside from that, the mud looked fairly good, but not really my cup of
tea.

KaVir.