[MUD-Dev2] [OFF-TOPIC] A rant against Vanguard reviews and rants

[Dana V. Baldwin]

Michael Hartman wrote:
> Dana V. Baldwin wrote:
>   
>> MUDs don't do conversation better. I would offer instead that
>> conversation is just what they do the most. Graphical games don't do it
>> worse, its just that most people that play graphical games have little
>> interest in that level of conversation. They aren't roleplaying a
>> character, they are merely playing a game.
>>     
> Actually, MUDs do indeed do conversation better, and Graphical games do
> it worse. Why? The interface.
>
> {snip}
>
> While playing a MUD, you are always in "chat mode" and can instantly
> chat without having to change the way you are oriented with the keyboard
> interface.
>
> This is actually a very significant difference between graphical MMOs
> and MUDs. As a result of this, chatting will always be easier (and
> generally superior) on a MUD.
>
>   
I certainly see your point about interface though for me personally, I
find it a little overstated. Does having the mouse reduce the frequency
or speed of my ability to type conversationally, yes more than likely.
Does using the f-keys and WASD prevent me from conversing while I'm
doing those actions, yes it does.

For me though, I find no more intrinsic distraction from typing "put the
hat in the box" than using my mouse to do so. I don't think that "move
north" is sufficiently more distracting than typing the 'w' key. They
likely are more time consuming depending on the situation. I can't agree
that these issues dramatically affect the quality of my conversation
though. It is still the audience that determines quality of
conversation.

Regardless, you'll never find the same quality of conversation on a
Quake server that you will on a MUD. Perhaps interface and audience are
more deeply linked.