AVATAR MUD

Revision as of 17:09, 13 April 2014

This article is about the 1991 online text-based computer game. For the 70's graphical computer game, see Avatar.

A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD

One of AVATAR's login screens

Developer(s)

Volunteer staff and community

Engine

Heavily modified Merc 2.2

Platform(s)

Platform independent

Release date(s)

^WW 1991 (1991)

Genre(s)

hack and slash, Wikipedia:role-playing, interactive fiction, social gaming

Mode(s)

Wikipedia:single-player/Wikipedia:multiplayer

A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD is a free, online, Wikipedia:massively multiplayer, fantasy, text-based Wikipedia:role-playing game^[1] (or MUD), set in a real-time Wikipedia:virtual environment. It combines elements of role-playing games, hack and slash style computer games, Wikipedia:adventure games and social gaming.^[2]

It began as an LPMUD called Farside MUD^[3] at Wikipedia:Newcastle University, in the summer of 1991, before ultimately relocating to the United States of America.^[4] It suffered catastrophic loss of data in August, 1994,^[5] which led to a switch to the Merc code base. On the 8th of August, 1995, it changed its name to A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD.^[6]

Over two decades the game's environment has grown into a fictional world spanning 327 areas^[7] across 20 planes, comprising 20,000 unique rooms with gameplay and features that significantly deviate from the original Merc codebase.

History

Early days

The MUD was started in the summer of 1991 as an LPMUD called Farside MUD.^[3] It was initially hosted on the servers of Wikipedia:Newcastle University by three Ph.D. computer science candidates. It later moved to Wikipedia:Swansea University^[3] until they announced a ban on mudding,^[8]^[9] before crossing the Atlantic to take up residence on a couple of machines in the United States of America.^[4]

The switch from LPMUD to Merc 2.2

Catastrophic loss of data in August, 1994,^[5] presented the implementors with an opportunity to switch to the Merc code base.

Farside MUD was created during the summer of 1991 with the established LPMUD codebase, released two years prior. The original DikuMUD code base was released just a few months before Farside's creation on the 1st of March, 1991, and had yet to become popular at that time.

DikuMUD was quickly followed by the creation of CopperMUD in June, 1991. In December 1991, CopperMUD released its source code, leading to the creation of MercMUD on December 18th, 1992. The final Merc codebase (version 2.2) was released on the 24th of November, 1993, and this newer codebase was chosen by Farside MUD the following year due to the gameplay similarities with LPMUD.^[10]

Avatar's position within the MUD trees

Main article: MUD trees

The MUD trees below depict the hierarchy of derivation of the A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD codebase. Solid lines between boxes indicate code relationships, while dotted lines indicate conceptual relationships. Dotted boxes indicate that the codebase is outside the family depicted. To see the full trees, please visit the main article.

1992 ~ 1994

1994 ~ Present

TinyMUD^[11]

AberMUD^[11]

LPMud^[12]

Farside^[5]

AberMUD ^[12]

Diku^[13]

Copper1 ^[14]

Farside/
AVATAR

Change of Name

On the 8th of August, 1995, after disagreements between the implementors, Farside MUD became A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD. The MUD's newsletter, published two days later, states:

All of the players pfiles have remained intact, as have all of the areas.
All of your favorite Immortals and Heroes are still there.
Only the Implementor has changed, and the name.^[6]^[15]

Although the implementors of A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD^[16] retained the right to use the "Farside MUD" name, the new name reflected the change in leadership and avoided the possibility of being sued^[17] by the Wikipedia:The Far Side comic strip's creator. The new name is an acronym which stands for "Advanced Virtual Adventures Through Artificial Realities"^[18] and was inspired by the computing term Avatar.

Development

Over the 22 years (as of 2014) that the MUD has been running, the Merc 2.2 code base has been extensively updated and modified, and includes later Merc improvements, such as the efficiency and bug fixes from versions 2.3 and 2.4. Rather than the traditional level progression, A.V.A.T.A.R. possesses three tiers (Hero, Lord, and Legend), which follow the initial 50 levels (now called "Mortal"). A scripting language has been added for governing how objects, rooms, mobiles, and areas interact with players, permitting complex quests and incidental interaction to be added to the MUD by regular staff members and players who lack access to the codebase.

Game Tiers

A.V.A.T.A.R.'s tiered level system is an original design feature.^[19]^[20] The original 35 game levels of the Merc codebase have been extended to 50 levels and now form the lowest playable tier of the game, referred to as "Mortal." A hero tier was added in 1994, followed by two other higher tiers; Lord and Legend June 1996).^[21] Lord level play is a large group, high-speed style of play, pitting players against very dangerous areas that are difficult or impossible to visit alone and thematically revolves around planar travel. Legend is the tier of team, round-based, player-versus-player combat, with players battling to seize and maintain control over points in the world in order to win. Plans for level 500 tier called "Titan" were shelved late in development, but not before it had been partially implemented and tested. At a conference in 2013, it was announced that the Legend tier areas would be open for players to build.

Classes and Races

Volunteers have added many races, with 28 creatable races (of which two are 'evolutionary' - containing 14 sub-races), nine quest races (elemental giants and chromatic dragons, added mid-2013), ten powerful 'remort' (second playthrough) races, and two 'ascension' (pvp legend tier specific) races. All together, players currently have access to 61 races, not counting grandfathered races or races only available to non-player characters and staff members.

The game has seven creatable classes, nine 'prestige' (quest accessible) classes, and five powerful 'remort' classes, for a total of twenty-one classes, not counting grandfathered classes or classes only available to NPCs and staff members.

Due to the addition of new races in 2013, the coding team is currently revamping existing character classes, before moving on to add yet more classes to the game.

Area Building

Though the Merc MUD codebases usually come with a set of 52 stock areas, all of A.V.A.T.A.R.'s areas are non-stock. Some areas retain the theme of the stock areas they replaced.^[7] In 2012, a new continent was added for the hero tier in order to offer a more Wikipedia:old-school style of play. This MUD continues to grow, with 327 areas online as of January, 2014. In addition to these permanent additions, temporary areas and quests are regularly added to the MUD, and older, less-visited areas are either revamped or removed.^[22]^[2]

Development staff

The coders of the MUD are members of its Immortal staff, formed from dedicated volunteers who largely forego playing the game in order to devote their time its maintenance and development.^[23] "Trackies" form a second tier of staff which is split into seven tracks (Builder, Design, Publicity, Quest, Retro, Tester, Web).^[24] Aside from immortals and trackies is a third group called angels, who are players who have volunteered their time to assist new players and those experiencing difficulties - such as finding their corpse after dying. Participation is not limited to those with positions; players can write new areas or running quests under the supervision of staff before applying for a staff position.

Influence on Other MUDs

As Farside MUD, it donated FTP space to a 1993 inter-MUD project to produce an area editor called "Make.Zones.Fast".^[25] Design features and code from A.V.A.T.A.R. has been borrowed by other MUDs. Examples of code featuring copied or imitative code which credit A.V.A.T.A.R. can be found on repositories like MUDBytes.net.^[19]^[26]^[27]

Features

Free to Play

A.V.A.T.A.R. is a 100% Wikipedia:free-to-play game. Unlike Wikipedia:freemium games, there is no system to pay for additional benefits.

The license for Diku codebase states:

You may under no circumstances make profit on *ANY* part of DikuMud in any possible way. You may under no circumstances charge money for distributing any part of dikumud - this includes the usual $5 charge for "sending the disk" or "just for the disk" etc.

Thus the game is developed and run entirely by a large staff of volunteers.^[28]^[29]

Multi-Platform

Three different devices connected to a MUD via different Telnet Clients — A smartphone, laptop and desktop system connected to AVATAR MUD using different clients. A player-created wiki can also be seen on two of the screens.

The game can be played on various devices (such as Wikipedia:smart phones and tablets) and Wikipedia:operating systems. A connection to the game server can be established by:

Opening a Wikipedia:web browser window on any internet-connected computer and using the built-in client application on the official website^[30] or Facebook.^[31]
Using a web browser or telnet at the command prompt to open a port in Windows,^[32]^[33] OSX,^[34] Linux,^[35] etc.
Downloading^[36] a MUD client^[37] or TELNET client software for a computer, or an Android or Wikipedia:iOS MUD client Wikipedia:mobile app for a Wikipedia:smartphone or Wikipedia:tablet computer

As all game data is stored on the server, there are no issues with hopping devices during play.

Fantasy Setting

A.V.A.T.A.R. is set in a fantasy world, which occasionally incorporates elements from other fictional genres, such as Wikipedia:steampunk. Combat is primarily conducted through Wikipedia:melee, Wikipedia:martial arts, and spells, alongside thrown weapons and Wikipedia:archery. Most transportation is achieved by "walking" (following directions to an adjacent room), though there are other options including foot ferries, Wikipedia:guides, transportation spells, planar travel and permanent portals. The theme is further reinforced through the use of Wikipedia:ASCII art.^[38] Players are encouraged to create characters with names that fit the theme of the game, and can receive a modest namethank reward for doing so.

Parental controls

Due to the presence of younger players, the MUD has a strict language Wikipedia:policy which is enforced through automatic logging of bad language and monitoring by staff members. In addition to this, players may select the option to censor any undesireable words appearing in communications from other players.

The MUD supports young players, and parents are able to discuss their child's participation in the game with staff, should they have any concerns. As the game permits multiple connections from the same Wikipedia:IP address (as long as each character is controlled by a separate player), families and groups of friends are able to log on and play together.

Accessibility

As a text-based game, it is used by the blind and visually impaired with the assistance of screen reading software, and also the hearing impaired who are not disadvantaged due to the absence of auditory cues.^[39]

Playing with a screen reader can also help those with low literacy or learning disabilities^[40] to enjoy the game whilst helping them improve their language skills, Wikipedia:computer literacy and Wikipedia:social skills.

Some MUD clients include customisable Wikipedia:user interfaces, such as definable buttons or rollers, which can largely remove the need to manually type commands, which is very helpful for those whose ability to operate a keyboard is impaired. Wikipedia:Computer accessibility issues can then be overcome with assistive technologies, such as a Wikipedia:footmouse.

Gameplay

Starting a character or play session

After choosing a name, and starting character race, class, and gender, the player begins in the "Mudschool" area, where they are quickly taught the basic commands needed to enjoy the game, before entering the starting areas. Any character which reaches level 2 (usually during the introduction to the game) can be saved. There is no character approval process, and players are free to make as many characters as they wish.

General gameplay

Roleplay on A.V.A.T.A.R. is encouraged but not enforced, so much of a player's activity involves finding mobs (non-player characters) to perform quests for, slay for experience points, or somehow acquire desireable items from, and Wikipedia:exploration in order to enjoy the writing and story of an area or discover easter eggs and other secrets. As a Wikipedia:social space, the game comprises only half of the attraction of the MUD^[2], with players using various tools such as public and private chat channels^[41], an in-game messaging system and forums^[42]^[43] to engage one another.

As player characters gain experience points, they will increase in level, slowly rising through the four tiers of the game: Mortal, Hero, Lord, and Legend. At each tier, the style of gameplay changes dramatically, thus players can choose a play style that suits them the most.

Mortal and Hero tiers

Players learn the game as they proceed through the first 50 levels, needing to change gear as they rise. This "Mortal" tier offers the best exploration options. When characters reach level 51, they are assigned a sub-level, and from that point, experience points raise their sub-level, not their primary level.^[2] With 999 sub-levels, this creates a very broad plateau, where the focus is less on regularly changing gear, and more on honing their existing set of equipment. Level 51 is known as Hero tier, and is the point where players really begin grouping when adventuring in the world.^[44]

Lord and Legend tiers

After sub-level 300, hero tier players can use the 'morph' command to attempt to become lords. The probability of this succeeding increases with each sub-level, though players who level past 999 have a very high chance of automatically morphing to the Lord tier with each level (this can be toggled off but additional levels will yield no benefit). Morphing jumps the player to level 125, which also has 999 sub-levels. On reaching the one hundredth sub-level of Lord, a player gets access to 'troika', which enables them to become a Legend. A player may only possess one Legend tier character at a time.

At certain points, players have the option to return to an earlier level of power in order to change their class or race to one that is different, or more powerful, or perform a quest to do so at their current level.

In other media

The MUD has been examined in the papers and presentions of anthropologist Dr. Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito,^[23]^[45]^[46]^[47] a thesis^[48] by tech entrepreneur Kraettli Epperson,^[49] and other papers.^[50]^[51] It has featured in MUD history articles,^[52]^[53] Wikipedia:Orlando Sentinel's article on Wikipedia:TELNET^[54] and in a Wikipedia:video tutorial^[55] and tutorial article^[56] about the Wikipedia:Command Prompt.

An introductory article to A.V.A.T.A.R. was printed in Wikipedia:MENSA's^[57] RPSIG publication 'Re:Quests!'^[2] and also in the 1st of October, 1994 edition of the "Sunlight Through The Shadows" BBS's electronic magazine,^[58] and other publications.^[59]^[60]^[61] After running for a couple of years, Immortal "Asamaro" created the publication "the Farside Gazette" on December 15, 1994,^[62] which continued to be regularly published, latterly as "the AVATAR Gazette", until May, 2009.^[63]

References

↑ Epperson, Kraettli L. (1994-12-10). Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications. Rice University Sociology Department. "The idea of role-playing is that one can become, temporarily at least, what one is not, and the Farside MUD designers created a world in which anyone could become anything they desired, while logged-in."
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 http://www.oocities.org/rpgsig/articles/ar43mk01.html Re:Quests!, issue #43, November 1997, pp. 28-29; Mary H Kelly, editor. Updated 11/12/99 by MHK.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Ito, Mizuko. Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community. http://all.net/journal/deception/Framework/ito1.html. Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "'Farside was established in the summer of 1991 by three Ph.D. students at Newcastle University on their free time. Since then, it has been moved to Swansea University."
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 Ito, Mizuko (1994-12-03). Cybernetic Fantasies: Extensions of Selfhood In a Multi-User Dungeon. http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html. Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "When I first started playing Farside, the primary mud that I have been studying, it resided on a machine at an English university, where it had been set up by some computer science doctoral students in their free time. Since then, it has changed sites to a couple of different machines in the US."
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html Ito "In August, the machine that Farside was living in experienced a system failure, and all player files and interface elements were lost." Mizuko Ito, Standford University, 3/December/1994 "Cybernetic Fantasies: Extensions of Selfhood In a Multi-User Dungeon"
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=96 10/08/1995 Gazette article confirming the continuity of player characters and areas despite the name change.
↑ ^7.0 ^7.1 Various. "List of areas on Avatar MUD". Retrieved on 12 February 2014.
↑ Ito, Mizuko. Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community. http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html. Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "Soon after, the university that Farside was residing at announced a ban on mudding."
↑ Mizuko, Ito. Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community. http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html. Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "Muds are anathema to many universities because they take up valuable space on computers, slow down network responsiveness, and tie up terminals in computer labs. They have been banned at various universities across the country, yet they continue to proliferate."
↑ Ito, Mizuko. Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community. http://all.net/journal/deception/Framework/ito1.html. Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "Diku-MUds, Aber-MUDS and LP-MUDs usually involve armor, weapons, gold coins and the killing of ogres, giants, and sometimes other players. In contrast, MOOs, MUSEs, and Tiny MUDs are primarily social, often have a space-age theme, and have little in terms of the adventure game component."
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1 Bartle, Richard (2003). Designing Virtual Worlds. New Riders. p. 10. ISBN 0-13-101816-7. "Having played both AberMUD and TinyMUD, he decided he wanted to write his own game with the adventure of the former and the user-extensibility of the latter."
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 Bartle, Richard (2003). Designing Virtual Worlds. New Riders. pp. 9. ISBN 0-13-101816-7. "AberMUD spread across university computer science departments like a virus. Identical copies (or incarnations) appeared on thousands of Unix machines. It went through four versions in rapid succession, spawning several imitators. The three most important of these were TinyMUD, LPMUD and DikuMUD."
↑ Shah, Rawn; Romine, James (1995). Playing MUDs on the Internet. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. p. 22. ISBN 0-471-11633-5. "DikuMud first appeared in mid-March of 1990 when a group of programmers at the Department of Computer Science at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark got together and began work on a multiplayer game that is similar to but improved on AberMuds. These coders were Hans Henrik Staerfeld, Katja Nyboe, Tom Madsen, Michael Seifert, and Sebastian Hammer."
↑ Bartle, Richard (2003). Designing Virtual Worlds. New Riders. pp. 10. ISBN 0-13-101816-7. "...several major codebases (standalone MUD program suites) were created from the basic DikuMUD original, the main ones being Circle, Silly, and Merc. Merc spawned ROM (Rivers of MUD) and Envy, among others, and these in turn had their own spinoffs."
↑ https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.games.mud.lp/z0rp371pbZ0 Even the port number (3000) remained unchanged.
↑ https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topicsearchin/rec.games.mud.misc/after$3A1995$2F05$2F01$20before$3A1995$2F05$2F31/rec.games.mud.misc/OFfqJPF9LmA Rec.Games.Mud.Misc post from the 19th of May, 1995, identifying Snikt as Daemon of Farside, prior to the name change later that year.
↑ http://www.portmann.com/farside/index.html?home.html Gary Larson's cease and desist letter.
↑ Kariya. "AVATAR Focus". The AVATAR Gazette. Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "Or, as it is officially known, "Advanced Virtual Adventures Through Artificial Realities.""
↑ ^19.0 ^19.1 http://www.mudbytes.net/file-2602 Merc / Rom? 2000 Sublevels
↑ Pulse. "Tiers". Retrieved on 6 April 2014.
↑ "Game History". Retrieved on 6 April 2014.
↑ Ito, Mimi. Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community. http://all.net/journal/deception/Framework/ito1.html. Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "Farside is continuosly evolving; new towns and lands suddenly manifest, and outdated spaces disappear without a trace. The world is in a perpetual state of magical flux. In the space of a few weeks absence from the system, I found that a new combat system had been implemented, a new "Gotham City" environment was added, in addition to a "Newbie Forest.""
↑ ^23.0 ^23.1 http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/Ito.4S94.pdf Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito, "Cyborg Couplings In a Multi-User Dungeon", 1994 Annual Meetings of the Society for the Social Study of Science, October 13th, 1994
↑ "The Staff Teams of Avatar". Retrieved on 26 February 2014.
↑ http://www.snible.org/mud/credmzf.htm Farside MUD for providing space on their FTP server for MZF and MZF source. 11/11/1993
↑ http://www.mudbytes.net/file-2601 Merc / Rom? Spell Surging (Mage)
↑ http://www.mudbytes.net/file-850 Monk Class Base Code
↑ http://www.outland.org/infusions/imm_info/imm_list.php List of volunteers
↑ http://www.outland.org/infusions/staff_info/staff_list.php List of volunteers
↑ http://www.outland.org/infusions/mudclient
↑ https://apps.facebook.com/avatarmud
↑ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771275(v=ws.10).aspx Official instructions for using TELNET in Microsoft Windows 7
↑ http://www.virtualworldlets.net/Resources/Hosted/Resource.php?Name=MicrosoftTelnet Instructions for connecting to MUDs with Microsoft TELNET
↑ http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Telnet-on-Mac-OS-X Instructions for using TELNET in OSX - method 2 is simple and direct
↑ http://archive09.linux.com/feature/119631 Connecting to MUDs through LINUX
↑ http://www.mudconnect.com/resources/Mud_Resources:Mud_Clients.html List of MUD clients on MudConnect.com
↑ http://w2.eff.org/Net_culture/Misc/web_social_behavior.paper Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications, Kraettli L. Epperson, Sociology Honors Thesis for Rice University Sociology Department To ease and organize a user's interactions with a MUD, there are many "client" programs to receive the information from the MUD. Rather than simply displaying this continuous flood of information sequentially on your screen, the client organizes your screen into areas with different sorts of information on different portions of your screen, so that the user can find information more quickly.
↑ http://nimud.divineright.org/webmudlister/digest.php 2010 Log in screen gallery showing one of A.V.A.T.A.R.'s entry banners
↑ Hindman, Beau (May 1, 2013). "Free for All: Introduction to MUD May". http://www.joystiq.com.+Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "MUDs are also friendly to disabled players, something that has concerned me for a long time. There are even blind players in many MUDs, players who use tools that read text out loud and respond to voice commands. Imagine if you could listen to your favorite audiobook and give it commands. That's the beauty of MUDs. These games are also good for people with colorblind issues, mobility issues or for people who cannot afford gaming PCs."
↑ Samaranayaka, Chamali. "Public endorsement". Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "Here at the British Council, we have provided Browsealoud, a speech tool that reads aloud the contents of each page. This service helps users with low literacy and reading skills, where English is not the first language, dyslexic and with users who are mild visually impaired. Our audience (mainly from overseas, with English as the second language) will benefit hugely from this service."
↑ [|Epperson, Kraettli L.] (1994-12-10). Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications. Rice University Sociology Department. http://w2.eff.org/Net_culture/Misc/web_social_behavior.paper. Retrieved on 12 February 2014. "A MUD usually includes "channels" for discussion that allow one to talk to other players, either individually or as a group. Thus all the time that one is playing the game, messages from other players are flashing across the screen. MUDs are filled with social rituals."
↑ http://www.outland.org/forum/index.php A.V.A.T.A.R.S.'s web-based forums.
↑ https://mail.outland.org/mailman/listinfo A.V.A.T.A.R.'s mailman webserver based email forums.
↑ Epperson, Kraettli L. (1994-12-10). Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications. Rice University Sociology Department. "In the MUD, an individual wants to face challenges in a "group" established electronically, so that ones movements are tied to other players who can lend strength at critical times in virtual combat. A leader is established for a group, and all members electronically set their character in the game to automatically follow the movements and actions of the leader, but may leave at any time. Obviously, a leader does not want followers who will leave in the middle of a difficult fight. Battles are initiated with the expectation that the group will be fully present, and with the hope that the collective strength of the group will overcome the creature being attacked."
↑ http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html Paper by Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito, Stanford University, 3rd of December, 1993
↑ http://www.academia.edu/2717461/Network_localities Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito, “Network Locality”, the Society for the Social Studies of Science meetings, San Diego, Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito 1999.
↑ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=xUDcAAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Internet+Culture%22+porter+etext 1997 Virtually Embodied: The Reality of Fantasy in a Multi-User Dungeon. In Internet Culture. D. Porter, ed. Pp. 87-110. New York & London: Routledge. Ito, Mizuko, et al.
↑ http://w2.eff.org/Net_culture/Misc/web_social_behavior.paper "Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications", Kraettli L. Epperson, Sociology Honors Thesis for Rice University Sociology Department
↑ Mr. Epperson is best known for having co-founded the world's largest digital library, Wikipedia:Questia Online Library, in 1998.)
↑ http://admin.humlab.umu.se/files/pdf/therese_duppsats.pdf - Dissertation "Linguistic Presence on the Internet" which uses A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD as one of its case studies.
↑ http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/37729/1/02whole.pdf - Mentioned in the acknowledgement, page ii
↑ http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-your-journeys-part-1/ The Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: Your journeys, part 1, Justin Olivetti for online magazine Massively
↑ http://yserbius.org/archive/index.php/t-185.html Cyren recalls the past at A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD
↑ http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-03-18/lifestyle/9503170500_1_mud-farside-telnet - Orlando sentinel uses Farside mud as its example on TELNET.
↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHOCVTB45_I - online CMD training course (Command Line Utilities - Part 1 of 2 - CompTIA A+ 220-701, James "Professor" Messer) using A.V.A.T.A.R. as its example.
↑ http://www.husd.org/cms/lib/AZ01001450/Centricity/.../CMD%20Utilities.docx - online doc teaching CMD/telnet using A.V.A.T.A.R.
↑ http://www.us.mensa.org/connect/sigs/sig-listing/ MENSA RPSIG listing with " we also welcome Live Action Role-Play (LARP), Computer RPGs, and MUDs."
↑ http://archives.scovetta.com/pub/textfiles/magazines/stts/sun9410.asc Sunlight Through The Shadows Magazine Volume 2 Issue 10 (october 1, 1994)
↑ http://www.lib.vt.edu/events/vsi/ivory-virtual-lives.html Virtual Lives: A Reference Handbook (Contemporary World Issues), James D. Ivory Ph.D., page 164, ISBN 978-1598845853 Lists A.V.A.T.A.R. in the top 20 most active MUDs.^th
↑ Mecklermedia's Official Internet World: World Wide Web Yellow Pages 1996, Marshall Breeding, ISBN 978-1568843445
↑ http://www.trueyellow.com/US/Groton/Missouri/Farside+Mud+Org./10166632/info.asp Very old telephone directory entry for Farside.Org
↑ http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=225 The Farside Gazette, December 15th, 1994
↑ http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=274 The AVATAR Gazette, May, 2009

External links

v t e MUDs

Major branches	AberMUD · DikuMUD · LPMud · MU*

Minor branches and codebases	CD · CircleMUD · CoffeeMUD · ColdMUD · CoolMUD · Copper · DGD · EnvyMUD · ew-too · FluffOS · GodWars · Merc · Mordor · MudOS · MUSH · NUTS · ROM · Sequent · SMAUG · Talker · TinyMUD · TinyMUCK BBS MUDs – Fazuul · Kyrandia · MajorMUD · Quest for Magic · Scepter of Goth · Swords of Chaos

Programming languages	ColdC · DG scripts · LPC · MPI · MOO · MUDDL · Mudlle · MUF · SWLPC

Mudlibs	Ain Soph Mudlib · CDlib · Dead Souls Mudlib · Discworld Mudlib · Lima Mudlib · LPUniversity Mudlib · MorgenGrauen Mudlib · Nightmare Mudlib · TMI Mudlib

Protocols	InterMUD · MCCP · MXP

Clients	Comparison of MUD clients · Mud Master 2000 · MUSHclient · TinTin++ · TinyFugue · zMUD

Concepts and terminology	Alternate character · Avatar · Bartle Test · Buff · Camping · Consider · Cybersex · God · Griefer · Grinding · Hack and slash · Immortal · Implementer · Kill stealing · Lag · Looting · Mob / Monster · MUD client · Mudlib · Mudflation · Nerf · Online creation · Online wedding · Persistent world · Player character · Player versus environment · Player versus player / Playerkilling · Quest · Remort · Rent · Spam · Spawning · Spod · Social verbs · Syntax guessing · Tank · Twinking · Virtual good · Wizard

History	Chronology of MUDs · MUD trees · A Rape in Cyberspace · A Story About A Tree

Publications	Designing Virtual Worlds · Imaginary Realities · Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet · Terra Nova · A Theory of Fun for Game Design

Companies and organizations	Areae · Dragon's Eye Productions · Ingenii Interactive · Iron Realms Entertainment · Jagex · LPUniversity Foundation · Lysator · Kesmai · The Mud Connector · Mythic Entertainment · Mythicscape · Simutronics · Skotos

People	Alan Cox · Aleksi Asikainen · Amy S. Bruckman · Andrew Gower · Ben Laurie · Brad McQuaid · Brian Green · Bruce Woodcock · Cat Rambo · Chip Morningstar · Christopher Howard Wolf · Dr. Cat · Edward Castronova · Elonka Dunin · Espen J. Aarseth · George Reese · Greg Stein · J. Todd Coleman · James Aspnes · Jason Scott Sadofsky · Jeremy Elson · John Viega · Joi Ito · Judy Malloy · Julian Dibbell · Kelton Flinn · Lars Pensjö · Lennart Augustsson · Lisbeth Klastrup · Mark Jacobs · Matt Mihaly · Michael Lawrie · Mizuko Ito · Nick Montfort · Nick Yee · Noah Wardrip-Fruin · Paul Barnett · Pavel Curtis · Randy Farmer · Rich Salz · Rich Skrenta · Richard Bartle · Roy Trubshaw · Sherry Turkle · Stephanie Shaver · Steve Yegge · T. L. Taylor · Wes Platt

MUDs	3Kingdoms · Accursed Lands · Achaea, Dreams of Divine Lands · Act of War · Alter Aeon · AmberMUSH · Ancient Anguish · Armageddon · BatMUD · BurningMUD · Cat Chat · Cheeseplant's House · Costello · Dark Age of Camelot · Darker Realms · Darkness Falls: The Crusade · DartMUD · Discworld MUD · Diversity University · Dragon's Gate · DragonRealms · DragonSpires · Dune II · Elendor · Empire · EverQuest · Federation II · Furcadia · FurryMUCK · GemStone IV · Genesis LPMud · Genocide · God Wars II · Habitat · Holy Mission · ifMUD · Infinity (AberMUD) · Infinity (LPMud) · Island of Kesmai · JediMUD · LambdaMOO · LegendMUD · Lost Souls · MAD · MIST · MOOSE Crossing · MUD1 · MUD2 · MUME · Materia Magica · Medievia · MicroMUSE · MorgenGrauen · Muddy Waters · NannyMUD · Nanvaent · Nightmare LPMud · Nightmist · Northern Lights · Nuclear War MUD · PernMUSH · Ragnarök · The Realm Online · Realms of Despair · Realms of Kaos · The Ruins of Cawdor · RuneScape · The Shadow of Yserbius · Shattered World · Sociopolitical Ramifications · Sojourn · Star Wars MUSH · StickMUD · Surfers · Tapestries MUCK · Threshold · TinyHELL · TinyTIM · TorilMUD · TriadCity · The Two Towers · Ultima Online · Wyvern · Xyllomer

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 | developer     = Volunteer staff and community
 | engine        = [[Merc (MUD)|Heavily modified Merc 2.2]]
-| platforms     = [[Cross-platform|Platform independent]]
+| platforms     = [[Wikipedia:Cross-platform|Platform independent]]
 | released      = {{Video game release|WW={{Start date|1991}}}}
-| genre         = [[hack and slash]], [[role-playing]], [[interactive fiction]], [[multiplayer video game|social gaming]]
+| genre         = [[hack and slash]], [[Wikipedia:role-playing]], [[interactive fiction]], [[Wikipedia:multiplayer video game|social gaming]]
-| modes         = [[single-player]]/[[multiplayer]]
+| modes         = [[Wikipedia:single-player]]/[[Wikipedia:multiplayer]]
 }}
-'''A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD''' is a [[free-to-play|free]], [[online game|online]], [[massively multiplayer]], [[fantasy world|fantasy]], [[text-based]] [[role-playing]] game<ref>{{cite book|last=Epperson|first=Kraettli L.|title=Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications|date=1994-12-10|publisher=Rice University Sociology Department|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=The idea of role-playing is that one can become, temporarily at least, what one is not, and the Farside MUD designers created a world in which anyone could become anything they desired, while logged-in.}}</ref> (or [[MUD]]), set in a [[real time (media)|real-time]] [[virtual environment]]. It combines elements of role-playing games, [[hack and slash]] style computer games, [[adventure]] games and [[multiplayer video game|social gaming]].<ref name="kelly">http://www.oocities.org/rpgsig/articles/ar43mk01.html Re:Quests!, issue #43, November 1997, pp. 28-29; Mary H Kelly, editor. Updated 11/12/99 by MHK.</ref>
+'''A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD''' is a [[Wikipedia:free-to-play|free]], [[Wikipedia:online game|online]], [[Wikipedia:massively multiplayer]], [[Wikipedia:fantasy world|fantasy]], [[text-based]] [[Wikipedia:role-playing]] game<ref>{{cite book|last=Epperson|first=Kraettli L.|title=Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications|date=1994-12-10|publisher=Rice University Sociology Department|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=The idea of role-playing is that one can become, temporarily at least, what one is not, and the Farside MUD designers created a world in which anyone could become anything they desired, while logged-in.}}</ref> (or [[MUD]]), set in a [[Wikipedia:real time (media)|real-time]] [[Wikipedia:virtual environment]]. It combines elements of role-playing games, [[hack and slash]] style computer games, [[Wikipedia:adventure]] games and [[Wikipedia:multiplayer video game|social gaming]].<ref name="kelly">http://www.oocities.org/rpgsig/articles/ar43mk01.html Re:Quests!, issue #43, November 1997, pp. 28-29; Mary H Kelly, editor. Updated 11/12/99 by MHK.</ref>
-It began as an [[LPMUD]] called ''[[#Change of Name|Farside MUD]]''<ref name="MizukoIto1">{{cite book|last=Ito|first=Mizuko|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://all.net/journal/deception/Framework/ito1.html|authorlink=Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote='Farside was established in the summer of 1991 by three Ph.D. students at Newcastle University on their free time. Since then, it has been moved to Swansea University.''}}</ref> at [[Newcastle University]], in the summer of 1991, before ultimately relocating to the United States of America.<ref name ="MizukoIto2">{{cite book|last=Ito|first=Mizuko|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extensions of Selfhood In a Multi-User Dungeon|date=1994-12-03|url=http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html|authorlink=Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=When I first started playing Farside, the primary mud that I have been studying, it resided on a machine at an English university, where it had been set up by some computer science doctoral students in their free time. Since then, it has changed sites to a couple of different machines in the US.''}}</ref> It suffered catastrophic loss of data in August, 1994,<ref name="mizuko-ito1">http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html Ito "In August, the machine that Farside was living in experienced a system failure, and all player files and interface elements were lost." Mizuko Ito, Standford University, 3/December/1994 "Cybernetic Fantasies:
+It began as an [[LPMUD]] called ''[[#Change of Name|Farside MUD]]''<ref name="MizukoIto1">{{cite book|last=Ito|first=Mizuko|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://all.net/journal/deception/Framework/ito1.html|authorlink=Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote='Farside was established in the summer of 1991 by three Ph.D. students at Newcastle University on their free time. Since then, it has been moved to Swansea University.''}}</ref> at [[Wikipedia:Newcastle University]], in the summer of 1991, before ultimately relocating to the United States of America.<ref name ="MizukoIto2">{{cite book|last=Ito|first=Mizuko|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extensions of Selfhood In a Multi-User Dungeon|date=1994-12-03|url=http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html|authorlink=Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=When I first started playing Farside, the primary mud that I have been studying, it resided on a machine at an English university, where it had been set up by some computer science doctoral students in their free time. Since then, it has changed sites to a couple of different machines in the US.''}}</ref> It suffered catastrophic loss of data in August, 1994,<ref name="mizuko-ito1">http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html Ito "In August, the machine that Farside was living in experienced a system failure, and all player files and interface elements were lost." Mizuko Ito, Standford University, 3/December/1994 "Cybernetic Fantasies:
 Extensions of Selfhood In a Multi-User Dungeon"</ref> which led to a switch to the Merc code base. On the 8th of August, 1995, it changed its name to A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD.<ref name="name change article">http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=96 10/08/1995 Gazette article confirming the continuity of player characters and areas despite the name change.</ref>
-Over two decades the game's environment has grown into a fictional world spanning 327 [[zone (video games)|areas]]<ref name="avareas">{{cite web|title=List of areas on Avatar MUD|url=http://avatar.melanarchy.info/index.php/Category:Areas|accessdate=12 February 2014|author=Various}}</ref> across 20 [[Parallel universe (fiction)#Fantasy multiverses|plane]]s, comprising 20,000 unique rooms with gameplay and features that significantly deviate from the original [[Merc (MUD)|Merc]] [[codebase]].
+Over two decades the game's environment has grown into a fictional world spanning 327 [[Wikipedia:zone (video games)|areas]]<ref name="avareas">{{cite web|title=List of areas on Avatar MUD|url=http://avatar.melanarchy.info/index.php/Category:Areas|accessdate=12 February 2014|author=Various}}</ref> across 20 [[Wikipedia:Parallel universe (fiction)#Fantasy multiverses|plane]]s, comprising 20,000 unique rooms with gameplay and features that significantly deviate from the original [[Merc (MUD)|Merc]] [[codebase]].
 __TOC__
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 === Early days ===
-The MUD was started in the summer of 1991 as an [[LPMUD]] called ''[[#Change of Name|Farside MUD]]''.<ref name="MizukoIto1"/> It was initially [[internet hosting service|hosted]] on the [[Server (computing)|servers]] of [[Newcastle University]] by three Ph.D. computer science candidates. It later moved to [[Swansea University]]<ref name="MizukoIto1"/> until they announced a ban on mudding,<ref>{{cite book|last=Mizuko|first=Ito|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html|authorlink=Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Soon after, the university that Farside was residing at announced a ban on mudding.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Mizuko|first=Ito|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html|authorlink=Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Muds are anathema to many universities because they take up valuable space on computers, slow down network responsiveness, and tie up terminals in computer labs. They have been banned at various universities across the country, yet they continue to proliferate.}}</ref> before crossing the Atlantic to take up residence on a couple of machines in the United States of America.<ref name ="MizukoIto2"/>
+The MUD was started in the summer of 1991 as an [[LPMUD]] called ''[[#Change of Name|Farside MUD]]''.<ref name="MizukoIto1"/> It was initially [[Wikipedia:internet hosting service|hosted]] on the [[Wikipedia:Server (computing)|servers]] of [[Wikipedia:Newcastle University]] by three Ph.D. computer science candidates. It later moved to [[Wikipedia:Swansea University]]<ref name="MizukoIto1"/> until they announced a ban on mudding,<ref>{{cite book|last=Ito|first=Mizuko|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html|authorlink=Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Soon after, the university that Farside was residing at announced a ban on mudding.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Mizuko|first=Ito|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html|authorlink=Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Muds are anathema to many universities because they take up valuable space on computers, slow down network responsiveness, and tie up terminals in computer labs. They have been banned at various universities across the country, yet they continue to proliferate.}}</ref> before crossing the Atlantic to take up residence on a couple of machines in the United States of America.<ref name ="MizukoIto2"/>
 === The switch from LPMUD to Merc 2.2 ===
@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 Farside MUD was created during the summer of 1991 with the established LPMUD codebase, released two years prior. The original [[DikuMUD]] [[codebase|code base]] was released just a few months before Farside's creation on the 1st of March, 1991, and had yet to become popular at that time.
-DikuMUD was quickly followed by the creation of [[Copper (MUD)|CopperMUD]] in June, 1991.  In December 1991, CopperMUD released its source code, leading to the creation of [[Merc (MUD)|MercMUD]] on December 18th, 1992.  The final Merc codebase (version 2.2) was released on the 24th of November, 1993, and this newer codebase was chosen by Farside MUD the following year due to the gameplay similarities with LPMUD.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ito|first=Mizuko|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://all.net/journal/deception/Framework/ito1.html|authorlink=Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Diku-MUds, Aber-MUDS and LP-MUDs usually involve armor, weapons, gold coins and the killing of ogres, giants, and sometimes other players. In contrast, MOOs, MUSEs, and Tiny MUDs are primarily social, often have a space-age theme, and have little in terms of the adventure game component.}}</ref>
+DikuMUD was quickly followed by the creation of [[Wikipedia:Copper (MUD)|CopperMUD]] in June, 1991.  In December 1991, CopperMUD released its source code, leading to the creation of [[Merc (MUD)|MercMUD]] on December 18th, 1992.  The final Merc codebase (version 2.2) was released on the 24th of November, 1993, and this newer codebase was chosen by Farside MUD the following year due to the gameplay similarities with LPMUD.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ito|first=Mizuko|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://all.net/journal/deception/Framework/ito1.html|authorlink=Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Diku-MUds, Aber-MUDS and LP-MUDs usually involve armor, weapons, gold coins and the killing of ogres, giants, and sometimes other players. In contrast, MOOs, MUSEs, and Tiny MUDs are primarily social, often have a space-age theme, and have little in terms of the adventure game component.}}</ref>
 ===== Avatar's position within the MUD trees =====
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
  | isbn = 0-471-11633-5 | quote = DikuMud first appeared in mid-March of 1990 when a group of programmers at the Department of Computer Science at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark got together and began work on a multiplayer game that is similar to but improved on AberMuds. These coders were Hans Henrik Staerfeld, Katja Nyboe, Tom Madsen, Michael Seifert, and Sebastian Hammer. }}</ref>}}
 {{chart | |)|-|-|-|v|~| }}
-{{chart | Di2 | | Seq | |Di2 = [[DikuMUD|Diku II]]|Seq = [[Sequent]]}}
+{{chart | Di2 | | Seq | |Di2 = [[DikuMUD|Diku II]]|Seq = [[Wikipedia:Sequent]]}}
 {{chart | | | | | |)|-|~| }}
-{{chart | | | | | Cop1 | |Cop1 = [[Copper MUD|Copper1]]
+{{chart | | | | | Cop1 | |Cop1 = [[Wikipedia:Copper MUD|Copper1]]
 <ref>{{cite book | last = Bartle | first = Richard | authorlink = Richard Bartle | title = [[Designing Virtual Worlds]] | publisher = New Riders | year = 2003 | isbn = 0-13-101816-7 | pages = 10| quote = ...several major codebases (standalone MUD program suites) were created from the basic DikuMUD original, the main ones being Circle, Silly, and Merc. Merc spawned ROM (Rivers of MUD) and Envy, among others, and these in turn had their own spinoffs. }}</ref>}}
 {{chart | | | | | |)|-|-|-|v|~| }}
-{{chart | | | | | Cop2 | | Merc1 | |Cop2 = [[Copper MUD|Copper2]]|Merc1 = [[Merc (MUD)|Merc1]]}}
+{{chart | | | | | Cop2 | | Merc1 | |Cop2 = [[Wikipedia:Copper MUD|Copper2]]|Merc1 = [[Merc (MUD)|Merc1]]}}
 {{chart | | | | | |!| | | |)|-|~| }}
-{{chart | | | | | Cop3 | | Merc2 | | |Cop3 = [[Copper MUD|Copper2]]|Merc2 = [[Merc (MUD)|Merc2]]}}
+{{chart | | | | | Cop3 | | Merc2 | | |Cop3 = [[Wikipedia:Copper MUD|Copper2]]|Merc2 = [[Merc (MUD)|Merc2]]}}
 {{chart | | | | | | | |~|-|+|-|v|~| }}
 {{chart | | | | | | | | | FAV |:| |FAV = Farside/<br>AVATAR}}
@@ Line 92: / Line 92: @@
 Only the Implementor has changed, and the name.<ref name="name change article"/><ref>https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.games.mud.lp/z0rp371pbZ0 Even the port number (3000) remained unchanged.</ref></poem></blockquote>
-Although the implementors of A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD<ref>https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topicsearchin/rec.games.mud.misc/after$3A1995$2F05$2F01$20before$3A1995$2F05$2F31/rec.games.mud.misc/OFfqJPF9LmA Rec.Games.Mud.Misc post from the 19th of May, 1995, identifying Snikt as Daemon of Farside, prior to the name change later that year.</ref> retained the right to use the "Farside MUD" name, the new name reflected the change in leadership and avoided the possibility of being sued<ref>http://www.portmann.com/farside/index.html?home.html Gary Larson's cease and desist letter.</ref> by the [[The Far Side]] comic strip's [[Gary Larson|creator]]. The new name is an acronym which stands for "Advanced Virtual Adventures Through Artificial Realities"<ref>{{cite web|last=Kariya|title=AVATAR Focus|url=http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=276|work=The AVATAR Gazette|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Or, as it is officially known, "Advanced Virtual Adventures Through Artificial Realities."}}</ref> and was inspired by the computing term [[avatar (computing)|Avatar]].
+Although the implementors of A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD<ref>https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topicsearchin/rec.games.mud.misc/after$3A1995$2F05$2F01$20before$3A1995$2F05$2F31/rec.games.mud.misc/OFfqJPF9LmA Rec.Games.Mud.Misc post from the 19th of May, 1995, identifying Snikt as Daemon of Farside, prior to the name change later that year.</ref> retained the right to use the "Farside MUD" name, the new name reflected the change in leadership and avoided the possibility of being sued<ref>http://www.portmann.com/farside/index.html?home.html Gary Larson's cease and desist letter.</ref> by the [[Wikipedia:The Far Side]] comic strip's [[Wikipedia:Gary Larson|creator]]. The new name is an acronym which stands for "Advanced Virtual Adventures Through Artificial Realities"<ref>{{cite web|last=Kariya|title=AVATAR Focus|url=http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=276|work=The AVATAR Gazette|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Or, as it is officially known, "Advanced Virtual Adventures Through Artificial Realities."}}</ref> and was inspired by the computing term [[Wikipedia:avatar (computing)|Avatar]].
 ==Development==
@@ Line 98: / Line 98: @@
 ===Game Tiers===
-A.V.A.T.A.R.'s tiered level system is an original [[Game design|design feature]].<ref name="mudbytes2">http://www.mudbytes.net/file-2602 Merc / Rom? 2000 Sublevels</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tiers|url=http://www.outland.org/infusions/wiclear/index.php?title=Tiers|accessdate=6 April 2014|author=Pulse}}</ref>   The original 35 game levels of the Merc codebase have been extended to 50 levels and now form the lowest playable tier of the game, referred to as "Mortal."  A hero tier was added in 1994, followed by two other higher tiers; Lord and Legend June 1996).<ref>{{cite web|title=Game History|url=http://avatar.melanarchy.info/index.php/Game_History|accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref>   Lord level play is a large group, high-speed style of play, pitting players against very dangerous areas that are difficult or impossible to visit alone and thematically revolves around [[Parallel universe (fiction)#Fantasy multiverses|planar]] travel.  Legend is the tier of team, round-based, player-versus-player combat, with players battling to seize and maintain control over points in the world in order to win.  Plans for level 500 tier called "Titan" were shelved late in development, but not before it had been partially implemented and tested.  At a conference in 2013, it was announced that the Legend tier areas would be open for players to build.
+A.V.A.T.A.R.'s tiered level system is an original [[Wikipedia:Game design|design feature]].<ref name="mudbytes2">http://www.mudbytes.net/file-2602 Merc / Rom? 2000 Sublevels</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tiers|url=http://www.outland.org/infusions/wiclear/index.php?title=Tiers|accessdate=6 April 2014|author=Pulse}}</ref>   The original 35 game levels of the Merc codebase have been extended to 50 levels and now form the lowest playable tier of the game, referred to as "Mortal."  A hero tier was added in 1994, followed by two other higher tiers; Lord and Legend June 1996).<ref>{{cite web|title=Game History|url=http://avatar.melanarchy.info/index.php/Game_History|accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref>   Lord level play is a large group, high-speed style of play, pitting players against very dangerous areas that are difficult or impossible to visit alone and thematically revolves around [[Wikipedia:Parallel universe (fiction)#Fantasy multiverses|planar]] travel.  Legend is the tier of team, round-based, player-versus-player combat, with players battling to seize and maintain control over points in the world in order to win.  Plans for level 500 tier called "Titan" were shelved late in development, but not before it had been partially implemented and tested.  At a conference in 2013, it was announced that the Legend tier areas would be open for players to build.
 ===Classes and Races===
-Volunteers have added many races, with 28 creatable races (of which two are 'evolutionary' - containing 14 sub-races), nine quest races (elemental giants and chromatic dragons, added mid-2013), ten powerful '[[Experience point#Remorting|remort]]' (second playthrough) races, and two 'ascension' (pvp legend tier specific) races.  All together, players currently have access to 61 races, not counting [[Grandfather clause|grandfather]]ed races or races only available to [[non-player character]]s and staff members.
+Volunteers have added many races, with 28 creatable races (of which two are 'evolutionary' - containing 14 sub-races), nine quest races (elemental giants and chromatic dragons, added mid-2013), ten powerful '[[Experience point#Remorting|remort]]' (second playthrough) races, and two 'ascension' (pvp legend tier specific) races.  All together, players currently have access to 61 races, not counting [[Wikipedia:Grandfather clause|grandfather]]ed races or races only available to [[non-player character]]s and staff members.
 The game has seven creatable classes, nine 'prestige' (quest accessible) classes, and five powerful 'remort' classes, for a total of twenty-one classes, not counting grandfathered classes or classes only available to NPCs and staff members.
@@ Line 108: / Line 108: @@
 ===Area Building===
-Though the Merc [[Codebase|MUD codebase]]s usually come with a set of [[Merc (MUD)#List of Stock Areas|52 stock areas]], all of A.V.A.T.A.R.'s areas are non-stock. Some areas retain the theme of the stock areas they replaced.<ref name="avareas" /> In 2012, a new continent was added for the hero tier in order to offer a more [[old-school]] style of play.  This MUD continues to grow, with 327 areas online as of January, 2014.  In addition to these permanent additions, temporary areas and quests are regularly added to the MUD, and older, less-visited areas are either revamped or removed.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ito|first=Mimi|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://all.net/journal/deception/Framework/ito1.html|authorlink=Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Farside is continuosly evolving; new towns and lands suddenly manifest, and outdated spaces disappear without a trace. The world is in a perpetual state of magical flux. In the space of a few weeks absence from the system, I found that a new combat system had been implemented, a new "Gotham City" environment was added, in addition to a "Newbie Forest."}}</ref><ref name="kelly" />
+Though the Merc [[Codebase|MUD codebase]]s usually come with a set of [[Merc (MUD)#List of Stock Areas|52 stock areas]], all of A.V.A.T.A.R.'s areas are non-stock. Some areas retain the theme of the stock areas they replaced.<ref name="avareas" /> In 2012, a new continent was added for the hero tier in order to offer a more [[Wikipedia:old-school]] style of play.  This MUD continues to grow, with 327 areas online as of January, 2014.  In addition to these permanent additions, temporary areas and quests are regularly added to the MUD, and older, less-visited areas are either revamped or removed.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ito|first=Mimi|title=Cybernetic Fantasies: Extended Selfhood in a Virtual Community|url=http://all.net/journal/deception/Framework/ito1.html|authorlink=Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Farside is continuosly evolving; new towns and lands suddenly manifest, and outdated spaces disappear without a trace. The world is in a perpetual state of magical flux. In the space of a few weeks absence from the system, I found that a new combat system had been implemented, a new "Gotham City" environment was added, in addition to a "Newbie Forest."}}</ref><ref name="kelly" />
 ===Development staff===
-The coders of the MUD are members of its [[Wizard (MUD)|Immortal staff]], formed from dedicated volunteers who largely forego playing the game in order to devote their time its maintenance and development.  "Trackies" form a second tier of staff which is split into seven tracks (Builder, Design, Publicity, Quest, Retro, Tester, Web).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Staff Teams of Avatar|url=https://www.outland.org/infusions/staff_info/staff_list.php|accessdate=26 February 2014}}</ref> Aside from immortals and trackies is a third group called angels, who are players who have volunteered their time to assist new players and those experiencing difficulties - such as finding their corpse after dying.  Participation is not limited to those with positions; players can write new areas or running quests under the supervision of staff before applying for a staff position.
+The coders of the MUD are members of its [[Wikipedia:Wizard (MUD)|Immortal staff]], formed from dedicated volunteers who largely forego playing the game in order to devote their time its maintenance and development.<ref name="ItoCC">http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/Ito.4S94.pdf [[Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito]], "Cyborg Couplings In a Multi-User Dungeon", 1994 Annual Meetings of the Society for the Social Study of Science, October 13th, 1994</ref>  "Trackies" form a second tier of staff which is split into seven tracks (Builder, Design, Publicity, Quest, Retro, Tester, Web).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Staff Teams of Avatar|url=https://www.outland.org/infusions/staff_info/staff_list.php|accessdate=26 February 2014}}</ref> Aside from immortals and trackies is a third group called angels, who are players who have volunteered their time to assist new players and those experiencing difficulties - such as finding their corpse after dying.  Participation is not limited to those with positions; players can write new areas or running quests under the supervision of staff before applying for a staff position.
 === Influence on Other MUDs ===
-As Farside MUD, it donated [[File Transfer Protocol|FTP]] space to a 1993 inter-MUD project to produce an area editor called "Make.Zones.Fast".<ref>http://www.snible.org/mud/credmzf.htm Farside MUD for providing space on their FTP server for MZF and MZF source. 11/11/1993</ref> Design features and code from A.V.A.T.A.R. has been borrowed by other MUDs. Examples of code featuring copied or imitative code which credit A.V.A.T.A.R. can be found on repositories like [http://www.mudbytes.net MUDBytes.net].<ref name="mudbytes2" /><ref>http://www.mudbytes.net/file-2601 Merc / Rom? Spell Surging (Mage)</ref><ref>http://www.mudbytes.net/file-850 Monk Class Base Code</ref>
+As Farside MUD, it donated [[Wikipedia:File Transfer Protocol|FTP]] space to a 1993 inter-MUD project to produce an area editor called "Make.Zones.Fast".<ref>http://www.snible.org/mud/credmzf.htm Farside MUD for providing space on their FTP server for MZF and MZF source. 11/11/1993</ref> Design features and code from A.V.A.T.A.R. has been borrowed by other MUDs. Examples of code featuring copied or imitative code which credit A.V.A.T.A.R. can be found on repositories like [http://www.mudbytes.net MUDBytes.net].<ref name="mudbytes2" /><ref>http://www.mudbytes.net/file-2601 Merc / Rom? Spell Surging (Mage)</ref><ref>http://www.mudbytes.net/file-850 Monk Class Base Code</ref>
 ==Features==
 ===Free to Play===
-A.V.A.T.A.R. is a 100% [[free-to-play]] game. Unlike [[freemium]] games, there is no system to pay for additional benefits.
+A.V.A.T.A.R. is a 100% [[Wikipedia:free-to-play]] game. Unlike [[Wikipedia:freemium]] games, there is no system to pay for additional benefits.
 The license for Diku codebase states:
@@ Line 127: / Line 127: @@
 ===Multi-Platform===
-[[File:Three different devices connected to a MUD via different Telnet Clients.JPG|left|thumb|A smartphone, laptop and desktop system connected to AVATAR MUD using different clients. A player-created wiki can also be seen on two of the screens.]] The game can be played on various devices (such as [[smart phone]]s and [[tablet computer|tablets]]) and [[operating system]]s. A connection to the game server can be established by:
+[[File:Three different devices connected to a MUD via different Telnet Clients.JPG|left|thumb|A smartphone, laptop and desktop system connected to AVATAR MUD using different clients. A player-created wiki can also be seen on two of the screens.]] The game can be played on various devices (such as [[Wikipedia:smart phone]]s and [[Wikipedia:tablet computer|tablets]]) and [[Wikipedia:operating system]]s. A connection to the game server can be established by:
-* Opening a [[web browser]] window on any [[Internet access|internet-connected]] computer and using the built-in client application on the official website<ref>http://www.outland.org/infusions/mudclient</ref> or Facebook.<ref>https://apps.facebook.com/avatarmud</ref>
+* Opening a [[Wikipedia:web browser]] window on any [[Wikipedia:Internet access|internet-connected]] computer and using the built-in client application on the official website<ref>http://www.outland.org/infusions/mudclient</ref> or Facebook.<ref>https://apps.facebook.com/avatarmud</ref>
 * Using a web browser or telnet at the command prompt to [telnet://avatar.outland.org:3000 open a port] in Windows,<ref>http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771275(v=ws.10).aspx Official instructions for using TELNET in Microsoft Windows 7</ref><ref>http://www.virtualworldlets.net/Resources/Hosted/Resource.php?Name=MicrosoftTelnet Instructions for connecting to MUDs with Microsoft TELNET</ref> OSX,<ref>http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Telnet-on-Mac-OS-X Instructions for using TELNET in OSX - method 2 is simple and direct</ref> Linux,<ref>http://archive09.linux.com/feature/119631 Connecting to MUDs through LINUX</ref> etc.
-* Downloading<ref>http://www.mudconnect.com/resources/Mud_Resources:Mud_Clients.html List of MUD clients on MudConnect.com</ref> a [[MUD client]]<ref>http://w2.eff.org/Net_culture/Misc/web_social_behavior.paper Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications, Kraettli L. Epperson, Sociology Honors Thesis for Rice University Sociology Department ''To ease and organize a user's interactions with a MUD, there are many "client" programs to receive the information from the MUD. Rather than simply displaying this continuous flood of information sequentially on your screen, the client organizes your screen into areas with different sorts of information on different portions of your screen, so that the user can find information more quickly.''</ref> or [[Telnet#Telnet clients|TELNET client]] software for a computer, or an [[Android (operating system)|Android]] or [[iOS]] MUD client [[mobile app]] for a [[smartphone]] or [[tablet computer]]
+* Downloading<ref>http://www.mudconnect.com/resources/Mud_Resources:Mud_Clients.html List of MUD clients on MudConnect.com</ref> a [[MUD client]]<ref>http://w2.eff.org/Net_culture/Misc/web_social_behavior.paper Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications, Kraettli L. Epperson, Sociology Honors Thesis for Rice University Sociology Department ''To ease and organize a user's interactions with a MUD, there are many "client" programs to receive the information from the MUD. Rather than simply displaying this continuous flood of information sequentially on your screen, the client organizes your screen into areas with different sorts of information on different portions of your screen, so that the user can find information more quickly.''</ref> or [[Telnet#Telnet clients|TELNET client]] software for a computer, or an [[Wikipedia:Android (operating system)|Android]] or [[Wikipedia:iOS]] MUD client [[Wikipedia:mobile app]] for a [[Wikipedia:smartphone]] or [[Wikipedia:tablet computer]]
-As all [[saved game|game data]] is stored on the [[server (computing)|server]], there are no issues with hopping devices during play.
+As all [[Wikipedia:saved game|game data]] is stored on the [[Wikipedia:server (computing)|server]], there are no issues with hopping devices during play.
 ===Fantasy Setting===
-A.V.A.T.A.R. is set in a fantasy world, which occasionally incorporates elements from other [[genre fiction|fictional genres]], such as [[steampunk]]. Combat is primarily conducted through [[melee]], [[martial arts]], and [[spells (paranormal)|spells]], alongside [[throwing|thrown weapons]] and [[archery]]. Most transportation is achieved by "walking" (following [[cardinal direction|directions]] to an adjacent room), though there are other options including [[ferry#foot ferry|foot ferries]], [[guide]]s, [[Teleportation in fiction|transportation spells]], [[Parallel universe (fiction)#Fantasy multiverses|planar]] travel. and [[Portals in fiction|permanent portals]]. The theme is further reinforced through the use of [[ASCII art]].<ref>http://nimud.divineright.org/webmudlister/digest.php 2010 Log in screen gallery showing one of A.V.A.T.A.R.'s entry banners</ref> Players are encouraged to create [[Player character|characters]] with names that fit the theme of the game, and can receive a modest ''namethank'' reward for doing so.
+A.V.A.T.A.R. is set in a fantasy world, which occasionally incorporates elements from other [[Wikipedia:genre fiction|fictional genres]], such as [[Wikipedia:steampunk]]. Combat is primarily conducted through [[Wikipedia:melee]], [[Wikipedia:martial arts]], and [[Wikipedia:spells (paranormal)|spells]], alongside [[Wikipedia:throwing|thrown weapons]] and [[Wikipedia:archery]]. Most transportation is achieved by "walking" (following [[Wikipedia:cardinal direction|directions]] to an adjacent room), though there are other options including [[Wikipedia:ferry#foot ferry|foot ferries]], [[Wikipedia:guide]]s, [[Wikipedia:Teleportation in fiction|transportation spells]], [[Wikipedia:Parallel universe (fiction)#Fantasy multiverses|planar]] travel and [[Wikipedia:Portals in fiction|permanent portals]]. The theme is further reinforced through the use of [[Wikipedia:ASCII art]].<ref>http://nimud.divineright.org/webmudlister/digest.php 2010 Log in screen gallery showing one of A.V.A.T.A.R.'s entry banners</ref> Players are encouraged to create [[Wikipedia:Player character|characters]] with names that fit the theme of the game, and can receive a modest ''namethank'' reward for doing so.
 ===Parental controls===
-Due to the presence of younger players, the MUD has a strict language [[policy]] which is enforced through [[server log|automatic logging]] of [[profanity|bad language]] and monitoring by staff members.  In addition to this, players may select the option to [[censorship|censor]] any undesireable words appearing in communications from other players.
+Due to the presence of younger players, the MUD has a strict language [[Wikipedia:policy]] which is enforced through [[Wikipedia:server log|automatic logging]] of [[Wikipedia:profanity|bad language]] and monitoring by staff members.  In addition to this, players may select the option to [[Wikipedia:censorship|censor]] any undesireable words appearing in communications from other players.
-The MUD supports young players, and parents are able to discuss their child's participation in the game with staff, should they have any concerns.  As the game permits multiple connections from the same [[IP address]] (as long as each [[Alternate character|character]] is controlled by a separate player), families and groups of friends are able to log on and play together.
+The MUD supports young players, and parents are able to discuss their child's participation in the game with staff, should they have any concerns.  As the game permits multiple connections from the same [[Wikipedia:IP address]] (as long as each [[Wikipedia:Alternate character|character]] is controlled by a separate player), families and groups of friends are able to log on and play together.
 ===Accessibility===
-As a text-based game, it is used by the [[blindness|blind]] and [[visual impairment|visually impaired]] with the assistance of [[screen reader|screen reading software]], and also the [[deafness|hearing impaired]] who are not disadvantaged due to the absence of [[Sensory cue#Auditory Cues|auditory cues]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hindman|first=Beau|title=Free for All: Introduction to MUD May|url=http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/free-for-all-introduction-to-mud-may/|publisher=http://www.joystiq.com|accessdate=12 February 2014|date=May 1, 2013<!-- 8:00PM-->|quote=MUDs are also friendly to disabled players, something that has concerned me for a long time. There are even blind players in many MUDs, players who use tools that read text out loud and respond to voice commands. Imagine if you could listen to your favorite audiobook and give it commands. That's the beauty of MUDs. These games are also good for people with colorblind issues, mobility issues or for people who cannot afford gaming PCs.}}</ref>
+As a text-based game, it is used by the [[Wikipedia:blindness|blind]] and [[Wikipedia:visual impairment|visually impaired]] with the assistance of [[Wikipedia:screen reader|screen reading software]], and also the [[Wikipedia:deafness|hearing impaired]] who are not disadvantaged due to the absence of [[Wikipedia:Sensory cue#Auditory Cues|auditory cues]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hindman|first=Beau|title=Free for All: Introduction to MUD May|url=http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/free-for-all-introduction-to-mud-may/|publisher=http://www.joystiq.com|accessdate=12 February 2014|date=May 1, 2013<!-- 8:00PM-->|quote=MUDs are also friendly to disabled players, something that has concerned me for a long time. There are even blind players in many MUDs, players who use tools that read text out loud and respond to voice commands. Imagine if you could listen to your favorite audiobook and give it commands. That's the beauty of MUDs. These games are also good for people with colorblind issues, mobility issues or for people who cannot afford gaming PCs.}}</ref>
-Playing with a screen reader can also help those with low [[Illiteracy|literacy]] or [[learning disability|learning disabilities]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Samaranayaka|first=Chamali|title=Public endorsement|url=http://www.browsealoud.com/page.asp?pg_id=80028|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Here at the British Council, we have provided Browsealoud, a speech tool that reads aloud the contents of each page. This service helps users with low literacy and reading skills, where English is not the first language, dyslexic and with users who are mild visually impaired. Our audience (mainly from overseas, with English as the second language) will benefit hugely from this service.}}</ref> to enjoy the game whilst helping them improve their [[literacy|language skills]], [[computer literacy]] and [[social skills]].
+Playing with a screen reader can also help those with low [[Wikipedia:Illiteracy|literacy]] or [[Wikipedia:learning disability|learning disabilities]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Samaranayaka|first=Chamali|title=Public endorsement|url=http://www.browsealoud.com/page.asp?pg_id=80028|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=Here at the British Council, we have provided Browsealoud, a speech tool that reads aloud the contents of each page. This service helps users with low literacy and reading skills, where English is not the first language, dyslexic and with users who are mild visually impaired. Our audience (mainly from overseas, with English as the second language) will benefit hugely from this service.}}</ref> to enjoy the game whilst helping them improve their [[Wikipedia:literacy|language skills]], [[Wikipedia:computer literacy]] and [[Wikipedia:social skills]].
-Some MUD clients include customisable [[user interface]]s, such as definable buttons or rollers, which can largely remove the need to manually type commands, which is very helpful for those whose ability to operate a keyboard is impaired. [[Computer accessibility]] issues can then be overcome with [[assistive technology|assistive technologies]], such as a [[footmouse]].
+Some MUD clients include customisable [[Wikipedia:user interface]]s, such as definable buttons or rollers, which can largely remove the need to manually type commands, which is very helpful for those whose ability to operate a keyboard is impaired. [[Wikipedia:Computer accessibility]] issues can then be overcome with [[Wikipedia:assistive technology|assistive technologies]], such as a [[Wikipedia:footmouse]].
 ==Gameplay==
@@ Line 155: / Line 155: @@
 ===General gameplay===
-[[Roleplay]] on A.V.A.T.A.R. is encouraged but not enforced, so much of a player's activity involves finding [[mobs]] (non-player characters) to perform [[Quest_(video_gaming)|quests]] for, slay for [[experience point]]s, or somehow acquire [[looting|desireable items]] from, and [[exploration]] in order to enjoy the writing and story of an [[Level (video gaming)|area]] or discover [[Easter egg (media)|easter eggs]] and other secrets.  As a [[social space]], the game comprises only half of the attraction of the MUD<ref name="kelly" />, with players using various tools such as [[online chat|public and private chat channels]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Epperson|first=Kraettli L.|title=Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications|date=1994-12-10|publisher=Rice University Sociology Department|url=http://w2.eff.org/Net_culture/Misc/web_social_behavior.paper|authorlink=http://blackmesaconsulting.com/long-bio-kraettli-l-epperson|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=A MUD usually includes "channels" for discussion that allow one to talk to other players, either individually or as a group. Thus all the time that one is playing the game, messages from other players are flashing across the screen. MUDs are filled with social rituals.}}</ref>, an in-game [[personal message|messaging system]] and [[internet forum|forums]]<ref>http://www.outland.org/forum/index.php A.V.A.T.A.R.S.'s web-based forums.</ref><ref>https://mail.outland.org/mailman/listinfo A.V.A.T.A.R.'s mailman webserver based email forums.</ref> to engage one another.
+[[Roleplay]] on A.V.A.T.A.R. is encouraged but not enforced, so much of a player's activity involves finding [[mobs]] (non-player characters) to perform [[Wikipedia:Quest_(video_gaming)|quests]] for, slay for [[experience point]]s, or somehow acquire [[Wikipedia:looting|desireable items]] from, and [[Wikipedia:exploration]] in order to enjoy the writing and story of an [[Wikipedia:Level (video gaming)|area]] or discover [[Wikipedia:Easter egg (media)|easter eggs]] and other secrets.  As a [[Wikipedia:social space]], the game comprises only half of the attraction of the MUD<ref name="kelly" />, with players using various tools such as [[Wikipedia:online chat|public and private chat channels]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Epperson|first=Kraettli L.|title=Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications|date=1994-12-10|publisher=Rice University Sociology Department|url=http://w2.eff.org/Net_culture/Misc/web_social_behavior.paper|authorlink=http://blackmesaconsulting.com/long-bio-kraettli-l-epperson|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=A MUD usually includes "channels" for discussion that allow one to talk to other players, either individually or as a group. Thus all the time that one is playing the game, messages from other players are flashing across the screen. MUDs are filled with social rituals.}}</ref>, an in-game [[Wikipedia:personal message|messaging system]] and [[Wikipedia:internet forum|forums]]<ref>http://www.outland.org/forum/index.php A.V.A.T.A.R.S.'s web-based forums.</ref><ref>https://mail.outland.org/mailman/listinfo A.V.A.T.A.R.'s mailman webserver based email forums.</ref> to engage one another.
-As player characters gain experience points, they will increase in [[Level (role-playing games)|level]], slowly rising through the four tiers of the game: Mortal, Hero, Lord, and Legend.  At each tier, the style of gameplay changes dramatically, thus players can choose a [[Bartle Test|play style]] that suits them the most.
+As player characters gain experience points, they will increase in [[Wikipedia:Level (role-playing games)|level]], slowly rising through the four tiers of the game: Mortal, Hero, Lord, and Legend.  At each tier, the style of gameplay changes dramatically, thus players can choose a [[Wikipedia:Bartle Test|play style]] that suits them the most.
 ====Mortal and Hero tiers====
-Players learn the game as they proceed through the first 50 levels, needing to change [[Item (gaming)|gear]] as they rise.  This "Mortal" tier offers the best exploration options.  When characters reach level 51, they are assigned a sub-level, and from that point, experience points raise their sub-level, not their primary level.<ref name="kelly" />  With 999 sub-levels, this creates a very broad plateau, where the focus is less on regularly changing gear, and more on honing their existing set of equipment.  Level 51 is known as Hero tier, and is the point where players really begin [[Party (role-playing games)|grouping when adventuring]] in the world.<ref>{{cite book|last=Epperson|first=Kraettli L.|title=Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications|date=1994-12-10|publisher=Rice University Sociology Department|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=In the MUD, an individual wants to face challenges in a "group" established electronically, so that ones movements are tied to other players who can lend strength at critical times in virtual combat. A leader is established for a group, and all members electronically set their character in the game to automatically follow the movements and actions of the leader, but may leave at any time. Obviously, a leader does not want followers who will leave in the middle of a difficult fight. Battles are initiated with the expectation that the group will be fully present, and with the hope that the collective strength of the group will overcome the creature being attacked.}}</ref>
+Players learn the game as they proceed through the first 50 levels, needing to change [[Wikipedia:Item (gaming)|gear]] as they rise.  This "Mortal" tier offers the best exploration options.  When characters reach level 51, they are assigned a sub-level, and from that point, experience points raise their sub-level, not their primary level.<ref name="kelly" />  With 999 sub-levels, this creates a very broad plateau, where the focus is less on regularly changing gear, and more on honing their existing set of equipment.  Level 51 is known as Hero tier, and is the point where players really begin [[Wikipedia:Party (role-playing games)|grouping when adventuring]] in the world.<ref>{{cite book|last=Epperson|first=Kraettli L.|title=Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications|date=1994-12-10|publisher=Rice University Sociology Department|accessdate=12 February 2014|quote=In the MUD, an individual wants to face challenges in a "group" established electronically, so that ones movements are tied to other players who can lend strength at critical times in virtual combat. A leader is established for a group, and all members electronically set their character in the game to automatically follow the movements and actions of the leader, but may leave at any time. Obviously, a leader does not want followers who will leave in the middle of a difficult fight. Battles are initiated with the expectation that the group will be fully present, and with the hope that the collective strength of the group will overcome the creature being attacked.}}</ref>
 ====Lord and Legend tiers====
@@ Line 171: / Line 171: @@
 == In other media ==
-The MUD has been examined in the papers and presentions of anthropologist Dr. [[Mizuko Ito]],<ref name="ItoCC" /><ref>http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html Paper by [[Mizuko Ito]], Stanford University, 3rd of December, 1993</ref><ref>http://www.academia.edu/2717461/Network_localities [[Mizuko Ito]], “Network Locality”, the Society for the Social Studies of Science meetings, San Diego, [[Mizuko Ito]] 1999.</ref><ref>http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=xUDcAAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Internet+Culture%22+porter+etext 1997 Virtually Embodied: The Reality of Fantasy in a Multi-User Dungeon. In Internet Culture. D. Porter, ed. Pp. 87-110. New York & London: Routledge. [[Mizuko Ito|Ito, Mizuko]], et al.</ref> a thesis<ref>http://w2.eff.org/Net_culture/Misc/web_social_behavior.paper "Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications", Kraettli L. Epperson, Sociology Honors Thesis for Rice University Sociology Department</ref> by tech entrepreneur [http://blackmesaconsulting.com/long-bio-kraettli-l-epperson Kraettli Epperson],<ref>Mr. Epperson is best known for having co-founded the world's largest digital library, [[Questia Online Library]], in 1998.)</ref> and other papers.<ref>http://admin.humlab.umu.se/files/pdf/therese_duppsats.pdf - Dissertation "Linguistic Presence on the Internet" which uses A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD as one of its case studies.</ref><ref>http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/37729/1/02whole.pdf - Mentioned in the acknowledgement, page ii</ref> It has featured in MUD history articles,<ref>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-your-journeys-part-1/ The Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: Your journeys, part 1, Justin Olivetti for online magazine Massively</ref><ref>http://yserbius.org/archive/index.php/t-185.html Cyren recalls the past at A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD</ref> [[Orlando Sentinel]]'s article on [[TELNET]]<ref>http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-03-18/lifestyle/9503170500_1_mud-farside-telnet - Orlando sentinel uses Farside mud as its example on TELNET.</ref> and in a [[video tutorial]]<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHOCVTB45_I - online CMD training course (Command Line Utilities - Part 1 of 2 - CompTIA A+ 220-701, James "Professor" Messer) using A.V.A.T.A.R. as its example.</ref> and tutorial article<ref>http://www.husd.org/cms/lib/AZ01001450/Centricity/.../CMD%20Utilities.docx - online doc teaching CMD/telnet using A.V.A.T.A.R.</ref> about the [[Command Prompt]].
+The MUD has been examined in the papers and presentions of anthropologist Dr. [[Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito]],<ref name="ItoCC" /><ref>http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/papers/cyberfantasies.html Paper by [[Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito]], Stanford University, 3rd of December, 1993</ref><ref>http://www.academia.edu/2717461/Network_localities [[Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito]], “Network Locality”, the Society for the Social Studies of Science meetings, San Diego, [[Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito]] 1999.</ref><ref>http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=xUDcAAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Internet+Culture%22+porter+etext 1997 Virtually Embodied: The Reality of Fantasy in a Multi-User Dungeon. In Internet Culture. D. Porter, ed. Pp. 87-110. New York & London: Routledge. [[Wikipedia:Mizuko Ito|Ito, Mizuko]], et al.</ref> a thesis<ref>http://w2.eff.org/Net_culture/Misc/web_social_behavior.paper "Patterns of Social Behavior In Computer-Mediated Communications", Kraettli L. Epperson, Sociology Honors Thesis for Rice University Sociology Department</ref> by tech entrepreneur [http://blackmesaconsulting.com/long-bio-kraettli-l-epperson Kraettli Epperson],<ref>Mr. Epperson is best known for having co-founded the world's largest digital library, [[Wikipedia:Questia Online Library]], in 1998.)</ref> and other papers.<ref>http://admin.humlab.umu.se/files/pdf/therese_duppsats.pdf - Dissertation "Linguistic Presence on the Internet" which uses A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD as one of its case studies.</ref><ref>http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/37729/1/02whole.pdf - Mentioned in the acknowledgement, page ii</ref> It has featured in MUD history articles,<ref>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-your-journeys-part-1/ The Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: Your journeys, part 1, Justin Olivetti for online magazine Massively</ref><ref>http://yserbius.org/archive/index.php/t-185.html Cyren recalls the past at A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD</ref> [[Wikipedia:Orlando Sentinel]]'s article on [[Wikipedia:TELNET]]<ref>http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-03-18/lifestyle/9503170500_1_mud-farside-telnet - Orlando sentinel uses Farside mud as its example on TELNET.</ref> and in a [[Wikipedia:video tutorial]]<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHOCVTB45_I - online CMD training course (Command Line Utilities - Part 1 of 2 - CompTIA A+ 220-701, James "Professor" Messer) using A.V.A.T.A.R. as its example.</ref> and tutorial article<ref>http://www.husd.org/cms/lib/AZ01001450/Centricity/.../CMD%20Utilities.docx - online doc teaching CMD/telnet using A.V.A.T.A.R.</ref> about the [[Wikipedia:Command Prompt]].
-An introductory article to A.V.A.T.A.R. was printed in [[MENSA]]'s<ref>http://www.us.mensa.org/connect/sigs/sig-listing/ MENSA RPSIG listing with " we also welcome Live Action Role-Play (LARP), Computer RPGs, and MUDs."</ref> [http://www.oocities.org/rpgsig/ RPSIG] publication 'Re:Quests!'<ref name="kelly" /> and also in the 1st of October, 1994 edition of the "Sunlight Through The Shadows" [[Bulletin Board System|BBS]]'s [[Online magazine|electronic magazine]],<ref>http://archives.scovetta.com/pub/textfiles/magazines/stts/sun9410.asc Sunlight Through The Shadows Magazine Volume 2 Issue 10 (october 1, 1994)</ref> and other publications.<ref>http://www.lib.vt.edu/events/vsi/ivory-virtual-lives.html Virtual Lives: A Reference Handbook (Contemporary World Issues), James D. Ivory Ph.D., page 164, ISBN 978-1598845853 Lists A.V.A.T.A.R. in the top 20 most active MUDs.<sup>th</sup></ref><ref>Mecklermedia's Official Internet World: World Wide Web Yellow Pages 1996, Marshall Breeding, ISBN 978-1568843445</ref><ref>http://www.trueyellow.com/US/Groton/Missouri/Farside+Mud+Org./10166632/info.asp Very old telephone directory entry for Farside.Org</ref> After running for a couple of years, Immortal "Asamaro" created the publication "the Farside Gazette" on December 15, 1994,<ref>http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=225 The Farside Gazette, December 15th, 1994</ref> which continued to be regularly published, latterly as "the AVATAR Gazette", until May, 2009.<ref>http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=274 The AVATAR Gazette, May, 2009</ref>
+An introductory article to A.V.A.T.A.R. was printed in [[Wikipedia:MENSA]]'s<ref>http://www.us.mensa.org/connect/sigs/sig-listing/ MENSA RPSIG listing with " we also welcome Live Action Role-Play (LARP), Computer RPGs, and MUDs."</ref> [http://www.oocities.org/rpgsig/ RPSIG] publication 'Re:Quests!'<ref name="kelly" /> and also in the 1st of October, 1994 edition of the "Sunlight Through The Shadows" [[Wikipedia:Bulletin Board System|BBS]]'s [[Wikipedia:Online magazine|electronic magazine]],<ref>http://archives.scovetta.com/pub/textfiles/magazines/stts/sun9410.asc Sunlight Through The Shadows Magazine Volume 2 Issue 10 (october 1, 1994)</ref> and other publications.<ref>http://www.lib.vt.edu/events/vsi/ivory-virtual-lives.html Virtual Lives: A Reference Handbook (Contemporary World Issues), James D. Ivory Ph.D., page 164, ISBN 978-1598845853 Lists A.V.A.T.A.R. in the top 20 most active MUDs.<sup>th</sup></ref><ref>Mecklermedia's Official Internet World: World Wide Web Yellow Pages 1996, Marshall Breeding, ISBN 978-1568843445</ref><ref>http://www.trueyellow.com/US/Groton/Missouri/Farside+Mud+Org./10166632/info.asp Very old telephone directory entry for Farside.Org</ref> After running for a couple of years, Immortal "Asamaro" created the publication "the Farside Gazette" on December 15, 1994,<ref>http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=225 The Farside Gazette, December 15th, 1994</ref> which continued to be regularly published, latterly as "the AVATAR Gazette", until May, 2009.<ref>http://www.outland.org/infusions/adv_articles/adv_articles.php?art_id=274 The AVATAR Gazette, May, 2009</ref>
 ==References==

Changes: AVATAR MUD