Free Online Role-Playing MUD Games

The creation of the Internet spawned interest in bringing entertainment and coding together to create a program that allowed users to interact with one another in a world of their own making. This paved the way for the online text-based MUD, or multi-user dungeon (AKA multi-user dimension), a perpetual online world where people could create characters of different races and guilds. At first a simple extension of the tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, the MUD has grown to encompass many different genres, cover every era from the Stone Age to Space Age, and appeal to a wide variety of audiences. With the invention of technologically advanced, graphic-based MMORPGs (massive multiplayer online role-playing games) you would think the MUD no longer has a place on the internet, but the truth is many people prefer the simpler interface of text. They enjoy "reading" a novel that they're helping to create.

While a number of these MUDs now charge a fee for access to the game, a good many of them don't charge a single penny to use. Depending on what genre you're interested in, you can probably find half a dozen MUDs to play on that don't cost anything. Listed below are a few of the most popular free MUD games available:

1. Lusternia: Age of Ascension
Setting: High Fantasy
Role-playing: Strongly Encouraged

Created by Iron Realms Entertainment, Lusternia offers the gamer a new twist on the familiar player-versus-NPC (non-player character) combat. Aside from the usual hack-n-slash fare that's synonymous with most MUDs, you can also engage in what is known as an "ego battle": a non-violent means of gaining both experience and prestige. It's an excellent system for those who want to role-play pacifist characters. A simplified skill tree also offers a greater means of customizing the profession your character chooses in life; every skill branches off from either Body, Mind, Empathy, Artistry or Spirit. This MUD is a good choice for both new and experienced MUDders.

2. Aardwolf
Setting: High Fantasy
Role-playing: Allowed, Not A Focal Point

Aardwolf is a well-established MUD whose creation dates back to 1996. Along with the usual races found in role-playing games (Humans, Elves, Dwarves, etc.) you have a few interesting choices as well, including Vampires, Shadows and the Druidic Diva. Very newbie-friendly, they have a walkthrough of your first steps on their website and are always willing to help you out in the game itself. There are numerous clans, both player-killing and role-play-centric, and once your character reaches 201 (not a big number in a MUD world) you can choose to re-class or multi-class.

3. Clandestine
Setting: Gothic
Role-playing: Encouraged

This is the first MUD I've ever seen that actually allows one to play an "angelic" vampire. You have a vast array of race/class options, both at creation and later if you choose to "re-incarnate" your character. Depending on your preferences, you can either jump headlong into player-versus-player combat or avoid it entirely. You can also choose whether you prefer the usual hack-n-slash method or role-play your way to the top. Although they offer a "newbie MUD school" area and the players themselves are friendly towards new players, you may want to have some previous experience before starting on Clandestine anyway; the wide variety of commands and options can seem a bit overwhelming at first.

4. Imperian
Setting: Medieval
Role-playing: Encouraged

Another creation from Iron Realms Entertainment, Imperian offers a number of unique races along with racial-restricted abilities. Their website is the most complete I've ever seen for a MUD, detailing every part of their system-even up-to-the-second experience and combat rankings. Religion also plays a large role in the game, with twenty different options that will immediately place you at odds with other factions. While role-play isn't enforced it is greatly rewarded, and for the most part the plots are character-driven-meaning your character could easily change the course of Imperian's future by being an active part of it.