14

IN CONCLUSION

What we see in the Multi-User Dungeons running at various universities, and commercially in one form or the other can only be called the beginning. As computers of all sizes gain in power while decreasing in price, systems with the capability to run multi-user games will become available to more and more people. Eventually MUDS of all kinds will be available, running to Suit the tastes of all the different people who are maintaining them. Even at Essex University, different types of MUD have sprung into existence, with ROCK being the first 'unofficial' MUD, based on ITV's Fraggle Rock. Soon afterwards, CRUD appeared, a humorous take-off of the genuine MUD, written by Jez the Wizard. A student at Essex, Martin Fry (or Yawn the Witch) further modified CRUD to produce BLUD, a hyper- violent (as opposed to super-violent, which might be considered the norm in MUD) game, where the sole aim of the players is to kill things. The latest MUD to appear is UNI, a game based on the actual campus of the Essex University, which had many sarcastic descriptions of various locations (like the student's pub).

What all this points to, is that MUD is not a one-off occurrence. Instead, it's just the first of a new generation of computer game. The launch of MUD-2 marks the second step of MUD's advance into our lives. Instead of having its availability restricted to the few who could reach Essex in the dead of night, it will be up during 'normal' hours, thus allowing 'normal' people to play. The results of this should be surprising, but it's not unrealistic to think that the average, everyday business man would enjoy a quick session of 'Hack & Slay' after work, is it? Talented games designers who would like to use the multi-user software to implement their own games designs are encouraged to get in touch with MUSE Ltd (see Appendix B).

Now that you've read the book, I suggest you actually play the game. While you may have some idea of the nature of MUD, nothing can really describe the thrill of being chased by an axe-wielding maniac, as you flee for your life! So, with that I'll let you go, to play MUD, to journey into the Land, perhaps never to return.