mud ecosystem reference

a catalog of engines, clients, protocols, and communities in the MUD world.
companion to mudlib-landscape.txt (which covers architecture patterns).


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engines and codebases
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python:
  - evennia
    https://github.com/evennia/evennia
    python/django/twisted. THE python MUD framework. 1994 stars

  - ainneve
    https://github.com/evennia/ainneve
    example RPG built on evennia

  - arxcode
    https://github.com/Arx-Game/arxcode
    production game on evennia

  - mud-pi
    https://github.com/Frimkron/mud-pi
    simple teaching MUD server

  - sorrows
    https://github.com/rmtew/sorrows-mudlib
    stackless python MUD

  - talismud
    https://github.com/vincent-lg/talismud
    async modern python

  - taleweave-ai
    https://github.com/ssube/taleweave-ai
    AI NPCs via LLMs

  - DUM
    https://github.com/wowpin/dumserver
    modern python MU* engine

  - Tale
    https://github.com/irmen/Tale
    MUD/IF framework

dikumud family (C/C++):
  - dikumud original
    https://github.com/Seifert69/DikuMUD
    1990, the ancestor

  - dikumud3
    https://github.com/Seifert69/DikuMUD3
    modern evolution, HTML/websockets

  - tbamud
    https://github.com/tbamud/tbamud
    continued circlemud. most used diku derivative

  - anatoliamud
    https://github.com/jaromil/anatoliamud
    diku > merc > rom lineage

  - empiremud
    https://github.com/EmpireMUD/EmpireMUD-2.0-Beta
    persistent world map

  - awakemud
    https://github.com/luciensadi/AwakeMUD
    community fork

lpc drivers:
  - fluffos
    https://github.com/fluffos/fluffos
    active, mudos fork, C++

  - ldmud
    https://github.com/ldmud/ldmud
    C, long history

  - dgd
    https://github.com/dworkin/dgd
    independent implementation

  - cd mud
    https://github.com/cotillion/cd-gamedriver
    alternative driver

  - mudos
    https://github.com/maldorne/mudos
    historical fork

lpc mudlibs:
  - dead souls
    https://github.com/quixadhal/deadsouls
    beginner-friendly, batteries-included

  - lima
    https://github.com/limalib/lima
    clean modern

  - morgengrauen
    https://github.com/MorgenGrauen/mg-mudlib
    oldest german lpmud (1992)

  - cdlib/genesis
    https://github.com/genesismud/mudlib
    historically influential

  - nightmare-residuum
    https://github.com/michaelprograms/nightmare-residuum
    active development

  - discworld
    https://github.com/Yuffster/discworld_distribution_mudlib
    terry pratchett themed

  - realms-mud
    https://github.com/realms-mud/core-lib
    rich combat/crafting. 75 stars

  - oxidus
    https://github.com/gesslar/oxidus-mudlib
    modern fluffos mudlib

  - hexagon
    https://github.com/maldorne/hexagon
    mudos-alike on dgd

moo/mush:
  - toaststunt
    https://github.com/lisdude/toaststunt
    enhanced lambdamoo. most active fork

  - stunt
    https://github.com/toddsundsted/stunt
    lambdamoo with maps, REST

  - room.js
    https://github.com/doughsay/room.js
    node.js moo server

  - hellcore
    https://github.com/necanthrope/HellCore
    lambdamoo fork

  - fuzzball
    https://github.com/fuzzball-muck/fuzzball
    tinymuck server

node.js:
  - ranvier
    https://github.com/RanvierMUD/ranviermud
    modular, data-driven. 829 stars

  - rockmud
    https://github.com/MoreOutput/RockMUD
    websocket MUD. 155 stars

elixir:
  - exventure
    https://github.com/oestrich/ex_venture
    MMORPG engine. 665 stars

  - kalevala
    https://github.com/oestrich/kalevala
    world-building toolkit. 191 stars

  - fluxspace
    https://github.com/mainframecity/fluxspace
    WIP elixir MUD

go:
  - gomud
    https://github.com/GoMudEngine/GoMud
    clean, fast. 205 stars

  - dragon-mud
    https://github.com/bbuck/dragon-mud
    go + lua. 123 stars

java:
  - coffeemud
    https://github.com/bozimmerman/CoffeeMud
    most feature-complete. 217 stars

  - graphicmud
    https://bitbucket.org/taranion/graphicmud
    java 21, tile graphics + text hybrid. sixel rendering, ECS, behavior trees, multi-connector (telnet/discord/telegram/websocket). 30+ plugins

C#:
  - archaicquest
    https://github.com/ArchaicQuest/ArchaicQuest-II
    web-playable. 148 stars

rust:
  - ataxia
    https://github.com/xenith-studios/ataxia
    rust + lua scripting. 70 stars

haskell:
  - currymud
    https://github.com/jasonstolaruk/CurryMUD
    pure functional. 78 stars

archives:
  - dikumud omnibus
    https://github.com/DikuMUDOmnibus
    100+ diku projects

  - mud historical society
    https://github.com/mudhistoricalsociety
    preservation


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protocols reference
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tier 1 - essential for any mud:

  telnet (RFC 854, 855)
    the base protocol

  NAWS (RFC 1073)
    window size negotiation

  GMCP
    JSON over telnet for structured data. the modern standard
    https://tintin.mudhalla.net/protocols/gmcp/

  MTTS
    terminal type/capabilities
    https://tintin.mudhalla.net/protocols/mtts/

tier 2 - widely supported, add when needed:

  MSDP
    structured data protocol (alternative to gmcp)
    https://tintin.mudhalla.net/protocols/msdp/

  MCCP2/3
    compression
    https://tintin.mudhalla.net/protocols/mccp/

  MSSP
    server status for crawlers/listings
    https://tintin.mudhalla.net/protocols/mssp/

  MNES
    environment standard, supplements mtts
    https://tintin.mudhalla.net/protocols/mnes/

tier 3 - specialized:

  MXP
    enhanced text markup (zuggsoft)
    https://www.zuggsoft.com/zmud/mxp.htm

  MSP
    sound (zuggsoft)
    https://www.zuggsoft.com/zmud/msp.htm

  MCMP
    sound via gmcp (mudlet)
    https://wiki.mudlet.org/w/Standards:MUD_Client_Media_Protocol

  MCP
    moo client protocol
    http://www.moo.mud.org/mcp/index.html

  MSLP
    clickable links
    https://tintin.mudhalla.net/protocols/mslp/

  MMCP
    p2p chat protocol

our telnetlib3 handles: GMCP, MSDP, NAWS, CHARSET, MTTS


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clients
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desktop:

  mudlet
    linux/mac/windows
    gmcp, mssp, mcmp, msp, atcp, msdp, mxp, mmp
    lua scripting. the dominant modern client
    https://www.mudlet.org/

  tintin++
    all platforms + android/ios
    gmcp, mccp, mccp3, msdp, mslp, mssp, mtts, mmcp, naws, mnes
    terminal-based
    https://tintin.mudhalla.net/

  blightmud
    linux/mac
    tls, gmcp, msdp, mccp2
    terminal-based, rust
    https://github.com/LiquidityC/Blightmud

  mushclient
    windows
    mxp, mccp, mmcp, mtts
    http://www.gammon.com.au/mushclient/

  cmud
    windows
    mxp, msp, mcp, mccp, atcp
    commercial
    http://www.zuggsoft.com/

  axmud
    linux/windows
    mxp, gmcp, msdp, mnes, mtts
    perl/gtk3
    https://axmud.sourceforge.io/

  kildclient
    linux/windows
    ssl, mccp, mmcp, zchat
    https://www.kildclient.org

  beipmu
    windows
    tls, mcmp
    https://beipdev.github.io/BeipMU/

mobile:

  blowtorch
    android
    mccp

  mudrammer
    ios
    https://github.com/splinesoft/MUDRammer

web:

  mudportal
    mccp, mxp, msdp, gmcp, atcp, mtts
    proxy + web client
    https://github.com/plamzi/MUDPortal-Web-App

  grapevine
    mud listing with web client
    https://grapevine.haus/

  mudslinger
    proxy + web client. mxp
    https://github.com/ryanberckmans/mudslinger


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community and resources
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active communities:

  mud coders guild
    slack community for text game devs
    https://mudcoders.com

  r/MUD
    reddit
    https://www.reddit.com/r/MUD

  the MUD discord
    https://discord.gg/zuz4D8s

  mud bytes
    forum and file archives
    http://www.mudbytes.net/

listings:

  grapevine
    https://grapevine.haus/

  game scry
    https://game-scry.online/

  mudverse
    https://www.mudverse.com

  mud connector
    http://www.mudconnect.com/

documentation:

  mudhalla
    protocols docs, tintin home
    https://mudhalla.net/

  mudlet wiki
    protocol and scripting docs
    https://wiki.mudlet.org/

  mud standards
    https://mudstandards.org/

  mudvault protocols
    https://mudvault.org/protocols

awesome lists:

  awesome-mud
    https://github.com/mudcoders/awesome-mud

  awesome-muds
    https://github.com/maldorne/awesome-muds

history:

  wikipedia MUD chronology
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_MUDs

  raph koster's timeline
    https://www.raphkoster.com/gaming/mudtimeline.shtml

  richard bartle's MUD1 incarnations
    https://mud.co.uk/richard/incarns.htm

  50 years of text games
    https://if50.substack.com/

academic:

  "players who suit muds"
    richard bartle, 1996. player types
    https://mud.co.uk/richard/hcds.htm

  "designing virtual worlds"
    richard bartle
    https://mud.co.uk/dvw/

  titans of text podcast
    33 episodes
    https://www.titansoftext.com/
