Chapters

* Title * Contents * Introduction * Place * System * Design * Using * Future * Bibliography

Sections

* Place * Constructionist * Evocative * Crystallizing * MediaFusion * Organizing * Why * Glass * Multiplayer * Reflection * MUD



A MUD with a Model

MUD's (Multi-User Dungeons) are Internet-accessible computer environments that allow players to take on a role in a text-based virtual world. MUD's present their world as a collection of connected "rooms" each of which may contain characters controlled by other player or simulated objects. Users manipulate the world and send messages by typing commands. MUD's are famous for their complex social dynamics and offer interesting examples of user-programming.

MarketPlace is intended to be the first in a series of social virtual worlds where simulations focus the social interaction around a theme. In the case of MarketPlace, the system support for social interaction is rudimentary (although still heavily used in actual games.)



Greg Kimberly/gregkimb@gak.com