March, 1998 interview
	RICHARD You can stop picking up Kyric's stuff, or we do this in Limbo. GDN Just getting questions ready. RICHARD OK. GDN Wdi has some questions too. It's a joint website. He's in hall. RICHARD Well he can come here if he likes. GDN Ahem. He cant get in or something. RICHARD Does he want to come? I can bring him here.   Wdi arrives   GDN Don't pick up the stuff, or we go to limbo. WDI Sorry... Couldn't resist. GDN Ready? RICHARD Yes, go ahead. GDN Is the log thing sorted? RICHARD This is being logged, yes. When I get access to the log is another matter. GDN Ahh... Are you sitting comfortably? RICHARD Get on with it, reset in 24 minutes! GDN Then I'll begin Sorry. Question one: how old were you when you got your first computer? RICHARD My own personal computer, hmm, 25 I think. GDN Really? WDI What speed would that have been? RICHARD it was an Apricot FX20 with 640K RAM. 4.77 I expect, they didn't advertise speeds in those days. GDN oh. RICHARD I still have it in my attic. WDI Was that your first computer though? RICHARD It was my first computer. I always used timesharing systems before then. GDN Can you give a quick overview on who actually wrote what from the databases pieced together to make MUD2? RICHARD Sure. Simon Dally wrote the formal gardens, monastery and Il Castellare; Roy Trubshaw wrote the cottage and immediate environs; I wrote everything else GDN Golly. RICHARD and modified what Roy and Simon wrote. GDN So you did quite a lot of work then? WDI Did you do any research to write the descriptions? RICHARD I did lots and lots of work, and still do. As for research, no, I don't do any formal research, although I may sometimes see something and think it would be nice, so I remember it for next time I need something like that. GDN Where did you get your ideas for rooms and creatures and stuff? (If they were your ideas). RICHARD They were my ideas, and I get them from my imagination. Creatures are from folk lore, though. GDN Your own imagination?! No books or stuff? RICHARD No books, no. The only stuff from books is Simon's. GDN Did you read a lot of fantasy books as a child? RICHARD no, I didn't. I read SF and Fantasy in my teens, and still do. I prefer to write it, though, when I have the chance. GDN There seem to be a lot of Tolkienien bits dotted around. Any inspiration from there? RICHARD Such as? GDN Well... dragons and stuff. RICHARD Like I said, creatures come from mythology and folklore so players know what to expect. As Tolkien also drew from those sources there'll be some overlap; however you will notice that my dwarfs are dwarfs, not dwarves... and I won't touch orcs - they were a Tolkien original. GDN we heard that you were considering writing a novel based on MUD (the Land). Is this still true? RICHARD No, it's not true. I've never considered writing a novel set here although I've read novels 'inspired' by it. GDN Wdi made that one up. Which novels are these? RICHARD Unpublished ones by players. GDN Wow! That must have made you feel proud/pleased knowing people were inspired to write, because of your game! RICHARD Well, yes, it's rather nice. GDN How come Wireplay isn't on your list of MUD2s on your website? RICHARD Because I don't have anything to put up about it. HOWEVER, once there's an interview, I will be able to do so. GDN An interview RICHARD which means that after you've written this up, I'll do it. GDN What changes were made when setting up the wireplay server? (If any). RICHARD I had to implement an interface to the Wireplay client and I had to make MUD2 talk to the Wireplay applications interface. Both were rather tedious to do, but they seem to work. WDI I heard that the WP API is quite simple.. Is that true? RICHARD Yes, it's quite simple. It's pretty much the same as most APIs for this kind of system WDI Thought so... RICHARD although we did need to make some alterations for MUD2 as it does stuff other games don't, in particular unsolicited messages. GDN Wdi wants a monospaced font in graphical mode. What do you think? RICHARD I think he should tell Wireplay so when they do the next client it's an option. WDI Wireplay makes the client? But I thought you just said... RICHARD Wireplay makes the client, well, they subcontract it. I had to make MUD2 talk to the client they wrote. WDI We were just wondering because of the recent discussion over a new client (on the BB). RICHARD Well obviously they want some ideas of what to put in it and what NOT to put in it. WDI Ok... I'll tell 'em... RICHARD Reset in 4 mins by the way. GDN Was it Wireplay who made it so macros couldn't be made by players? Why? WDI Yeah, was it Wp's idea? RICHARD Yes, they wanted something quick and working. Macros were left out because they would have taken time to implement, not because of some anti-macro plot. WDI But weren't macros deliberately removed so players couln't just run around on auto? GDN Not so people couldn't come on and nick the treasure? RICHARD Macros weren't removed, they were never in. However, the game does play better if no-one can use them. WDI Ah... RICHARD Not that it would stop someone from writing their own software to access MUD2 instead of the official version, of course. WDI Lestat was considering that. RICHARD We'd have to put some encryption in, but it would always be hackable. GDN Because of its nature, Wireplay always has a abundance of novices on tap. Do you think this is a good thing? RICHARD I think it's a marvellous thing. This is the best version of MUD2 for a long time because of it. It completely alters the characteristics of the game. WDI Some other MUDs on the Internet have a big problem of lack of novices. RICHARD Yes, they do. Pay MUDs especially - it's hard to get newbies to try your MUD when there are free ones out there. GDN Though since bashes have become more frequent, there have been less and less because of the points given away in them. RICHARD We'll have to continue after the reset. WDI Still, Gordon, most players are still inexperienced. RICHARD Well no-one says mortals can't organise their own bashes. You want to continue next reset? GDN Please RICHARD OK, I'll set this place up again. WDI Thanks.   The interview is interrupted by a reset.   RICHARD So, next question? GDN What kind of machines were you working on when you developed the first MUD? RICHARD DECsystem-10 mainframes. GDN And MUD2? WDI In Essex University? GDN What were they like? RICHARD Yes, at Essex. MUD2, I was using a VAX 11/750 initially, although I did most of the work on the Apricot to start with before loading it on the VAX. DEC-10s were great! Standard scientific computer of the 70s. VAXes were also made by DEC, and were also good. WDI Mainframe computers? RICHARD I'll always have a certain fondness for the 10. No, VAXes (well, VAXen is supposed to be the plural) were superminis. They grew from PDP-11s, which the 10s used as front-ends. GDN Why did you decide to write a sequel to the original? What did you do different this time? Why? Just for our readers... RICHARD MUD2 is not a sequel, it's just the next version. GDN Sorry RICHARD MUD1 is MUD version 3A. GDN 3A? RICHARD This is version 4E. GDN 4E? RICHARD Yes, 3A. 3B is British Legends. WDI Ooh... RICHARD 4E, yes... Type DEFINITION VERSION for the full low-down. WDI How is BL doing nowadays..? RICHARD BL is suffering from CompuServe's incompetence. WDI Oh really? In what way? RICHARD Well they sacked Susan the arch-witch and 500 other people GDN 500 people were sacked? RICHARD after being taken over by AOL. We don't yet know what they plan to do with it. Yes, 500 sacked in a single day last month. WDI I didn't know Cserve was taken over by AOL... RICHARD Well now you do. WDI Oh that reminds me... When did you write the mudspeke dictionary,. RICHARD The early 90s I think. WDI Do you keep expanding it? RICHARD All the time. Whenevr I hear a new phrase, in it goes. WDI Players on WP MUD2 rarely use any of the terms... RICHARD Well no, but their terms will go in it. GDN What are your views on the way many of the companies running MUD2 on their networks stopped doing so? Im being asked for a glow! WDI Can't cast in here... GDN Can't glow from in here can I? RICHARD No idea, it's not mine. What was your question wdi? WDI Ermm. Not sure... ah well... RICHARD Can't scroll back for it, I was snooping someone WDI May I ask who? RICHARD PURE, being a prat in the Tearoom. WDI Ooh... Controversy... GDN What are your views on the way many of the companies running MUD2 on their networks stopped doing so? FOD? RICHARD Ah, yes, that was the question! No, no FOD. GDN Sorry. RICHARD They all have different reasons. It's mainly down to bad luck or bad management. WDI Bad luck? GDN Which was the most annoying? Reason? RICHARD Yes, bad luck. They were before their time, normally. Most annoying was Wizards' Guild GDN Which was? RICHARD because we'd have been on AOL if that hadn't had to close. GDN Haven't heard of that.. GWDI ah.... RICHARD It was the UK version before this one. WDI Lots of players? RICHARD Ran really well by Roger Harazim. It was getting there, yes, but I had my arm twisted by Interplay GDN As many players as here? WDI Ah yes.. Interplay.. RICHARD and Roger felt he had to close it down. WDI Why? RICHARD No. this is the most we've had on MUD2 for a decade. It's a long story... See the MUSE web site, where the whole sorry debacle is explained (along with all the other sorry debacles). GDN In an interview with Viktor Toth you mentioned a new UK service of MUD2. I guess this was Wireplay? RICHARD Yes, this is it. WDI Ah yes... Has there been a major change of UK players? RICHARD Well there's been some interchange, but not great swathes of players moving from one to the other. GDN Do you think this was because of the interface? Or speed? WDI Some seem to have opened an account on both... RICHARD Neither. Some have an account on both, but they address different constinuencies. mud2.com is for internet gamers, Wireplay is for UK-based home users. The client software helps us show we're a professional outfit, but experienced players switch off the graphics anyway. GDN How did you get involved with Wireplay in the first place? Did they contact you? RICHARD I got involved because I met Colin Duffy at a conference we were both speakers at. They had targeted a MUD as one of their priorities when they opened, and because I live not so far from the Wireplay development centre at Martlesham, I got the job to put MUD2 on their network. WDI Did they have any idea of how popular it would become on the service? It's now number 3. RICHARD I don't know. They knew a persistent world can help make a service busy, but it wasn't until they played MUD2 themselves that they realised what they had on their hands. It's now a case of educating members of the general public. WDI MUD2 is second only to Red Alert and Quake... RICHARD MUD2 may be 3rd on the list, but you couldn't sell Wireplay on that basis - people join for Quake and Red Alert, not MUD2. WDI Because they don't hear about it. RICHARD you mean Duke Nuke'Em has dropped out of the top 3? WDI 80% of the players I've talked to played MUD2 by accident or curioisty after joining for Red alert etc. Duke Nukem's 5th... RICHARD They don't hear about it because it's a 13-year-old game and magazines don't want to write articles about games that 'old'. WDI Why doesn't WP advertise it more, do you think? RICHARD Wireplay won't get users advertising MUD2. WDI Why not? RICHARD Would you have responded to a MUD2 ad? WDI Well... Yeah... I've played MUDs before... But I joined WP before it hosted MUD2. WDI Well... Yeah... But I joined WP before it hosted MUD2. RICHARD Who WOULD respond? And look at the marvellous screenshot, all static text. GDN You obviously go and keep an eye out on all the MUD2's but which one do you use most? (This may sound silly but...) Do you have to pay phone charges to use mud2.com for instance? RICHARD I have to pay phone charges for mud2.com but I get the account free. WDI I do have to pay for internet usage... RICHARD For WP, I have to pay the premium rates, same as everyone else. WDI You have to PAY for WP? RICHARD Yes, I do, and I play a lot, as a mortal. GDN Isn't that a bit cheeky? WDI Yeah. GDN You shouldn't let tham do that. WDI WP give free accounts to their club captains and not you!!! RICHARD That's right. I'm not a club captain. WDI Thats not very nice... RICHARD Well they'll get around to it eventually I suppose. Anyway, coming back to your question... I play WP more than mud2.com at the moment. WDI Why do you play as a mortal? Because WP needs experienced people to help them. GDN Kill them with longswords unless they offer you free calls. (Bob Hoskins too). WDI Eh? RICHARD If I tell you who I play, I can no longer play that persona because everyone will know it's me. GDN Asked for another glow by Pure. WDI You must underplay a little... RICHARD And if I kill WP with a LS they'll put another MUD up. MUDs are 10 a penny. WDI Hmmm... But not MUD2... RICHARD No, not MUD2, but any quality MUD would do well here. GDN Myriad? RICHARD I believe MUD2 is the best, but then I would, wouldn't I? There are about 1,800 muds listed on the MUD connector... GDN My god! RICHARD of which maybe 25 are excellent and the rest are utter drivel WDI Yep... Or very expensive... Almost Cserve style pricing.. GDN Do the creators of these MUDs have to pay you? RICHARD Well there are only maybe 6 pay MUDs listed on the MUDconnector, or there were last time I looked WDI Really? Quite a few more now. RICHARD No they don't have to pay me royalties. GDN dD they need to pay yu for use of the mud language? RICHARD No, of course not. They write their own languages. WDI They don't all use MUDDLE and its descendants... RICHARD They don't use MUDDLE. If they used MUDDLE, they'd have to pay. GDN Ha Wdi! GDN What? RICHARD I put the concept of MUDs into the public domain in 1985 so that other people COULD write MUDs without let or hindrance. GDN Fleet is helping me now! WDI I read a paper on the idea... Seemed obsessed with getting a multi-player Zork.. GDN She wants to know if I want to do icons. WDI No, obviously... GDN She's killing golem by the way. GDN Do you actually object to PKing or is it just an 'unwritten law' made by players? RICHARD Depends GDN On what? RICHARD I don't object to PKing. In fact, I believe it's essential What I don't like is wanton PKing. WDI Yes. RICHARD And I don't like bullying, either. WDI By people like Sun. RICHARD I refuse to name names. WDI I don't. :) GDN my gran says hello Richard. RICHARD We have some half-decent killers on here, but they're not as good as some. WDI As good as some? RICHARD Say hello to your Gran. Yes, as some. Kyric, for example, WDI Argggh!! That's scary... RICHARD hasn't been playing killers here, but he is the best we've ever had bar none. WDI Really? RICHARD Really. GDN More PK than you like? RICHARD And we've had some pretty damned good ones. WDI Hail was also a big PK... and got to wiz... Seems PKing actually does work,. RICHARD No, Hail just killed one player. The reputation was enough to ensure he made wiz without being bothered. GDN So wizards shouldn't really get involved if someone complains about PKing? RICHARD Yes, they should, WDI That's not what I was told.. GDN Is hail mortal? I got that impression. RICHARD because if someone at a high level wastes someone at a low level for no good reason, it's bullying, and wizzes don't like that. Hail is a wiz now. WDI Well, they always do it for points... GDN It's a fighting game. They should fight if they want. Though I dont like bullies. RICHARD No, no... It's not a fighting game. People who fight their way to wiz have missed the point. WDI Its an adventure game with fighting? RICHARD The best fighters - Kyric, Sepultra, Carpetcraw, aaargh - aren't in the business of making wiz. GDN But the only way to get points besides swamping, is to fight and win. WDI Yeah... RICHARD Yes, and that's a good way to lose them too WDI You also make a lot of enemies... GDN People shouldn't get FODded for PKing. RICHARD and the wizzes don't like you when you make wiz. WDI I can imagine... GDN True. RICHARD Depends what they did. If you were a hero and some mage just walked up and blasted you because they wanted your vials you'd feel pretty miffed. WDI Do we actually have any mages?? RICHARD And if they were invis, you wouldn't even know who they were. I think we do, yes. RICHARD We certainly have EX-mages. Basically, though, the wizzes set the agenda. GDN Though lots of people hate Thwomp and others like him, when he kills players invisibly, he does tend to go for the high end ones, and stays away from bullying. RICHARD If the wizzes don't mind highlifes killing lowlifes, it's OK. WDI Hmmmm... GDN But people still hate him. RICHARD Well, that's OK then. Yes, but if there weren't people like him around, anyone could make wiz. At least this way, if you make wiz you know you've achieved something. GDN Suppose. RICHARD It makes the goal worthwhile. Without killers, how many wizzes would we have here right now? Dozens and dozens. WDI Less... GDN CAT made wiz on WPMUD2 by killing the mouse. RICHARD Yes, well he is a cat. WDI Oh yeah... Next Q. RICHARD Next question? GDN People hate players who kill other players, but if they get killed by a mobile, they usually just go "oh well, it happens" or something. RICHARD They do after it's happened a few times but it can still hurt pretty badly. WDI Hmmm. GDN I think we've strayed too long on PKing. WDI Yes. GDN Wdi? WDI Yes? GDN Anything to add? I'm out of ideas. WDI Surely we have other questions left? GDN Not on the paper. WDI Ah... Thanks for your valuable time Mr Bartle. RICHARD Dr Bartle... GDN Sorry Richard, we were a little unprepared. WDI This will be the pride of our site. RICHARD Unprepared? We've been at this for an hour..! GDN Sorry... GDN Falco wants me to ask you to change the shrine to Sir Isaac Newtons shrine. RICHARD Falco has already asked me that. I've turned him down. WDI I think that's about it... GDN well thanx a lot for your time (you brainy sod... er person). RICHARD You're welcome. WDI This is going to need a lot of editing... RICHARD Email me if you have any supplementary questions. WDI Thanks... RICHARD Yes, it is. GDN How are you going to get the log to us? RICHARD I'll let you know when I get it myself, then I'll email it GDN OK then , thats about it. WDI Thanks... RICHARD assuming you have email addresses somewhere... WDI Yes... WDI We have an address for the site specially... GDN Bye for now and thanks. RICHARD OK, well I'll be in touch. WDI May I steal the furniture now?
	Copyright © Richard A. Bartle (richard@mud.co.uk) 21st January 1999: int0398.htm