Terran Eclipse
What is it? Its a MUD. Multi-User Dimension. Or Dungeon, depending on how you want to think of it. Why haven't I heard of it before? Its a project that has been in the works for almost 10 years now. Evolving, growing, changing in focus. Will it ever be done? I certainly hope so!
Tell me more!
It is based on the CircleMUD 3.1 base. Technically, it was based on an older code, but after moving to the Mac, I decided to just re-start the code from a solid base. It is slowly being merged into a hybrid of the Alternity game rules and D20 SRD game rules. Combat will be allowed, but not encouraged. It will mostly be about role-playing, the only reason I am using a combat base for the MUD is that it is easier to encourage RP and allow combat in a combat based MUD then it is to add combat in a role-playing MUD.
Things that are unique about Terran Eclipse:
- Overhead mapping of wilderness areas. Instead of boring descriptions for EVERY room, its much easier to have an overhead map. This is is something I have not seen in many MUD's, and considering I coded it in myself, I know its unique.
- Familiars that actually have a use other then attacking someone.
- Assassins! Hire a mob to kill your friends, and either they get killed or the assassin does. Wee!
- Complex quest/mission system. A complete story-line can be followed with the quests, with one quest leading to another, and possibly even making other quests impossible to take. Help the bad guys and you can't get a quest from the good guys.
- Realistic weather. You can even have storms that hinder your movement....or a tornado that can kill you or throw you somewhere else.
- The infamous changing maze! A little code snippet I shared that makes a maze of set size (say 10x10) that WILL have a solution...but can actually change WHILE you are in it! Doesn't mean it will, but it can.
- Elevators, subways, and vehicles. Originally developed for another MUD that didn't want them, they make their better debut here.
- Factions, mostly self regulated by players who are in them, even with the possibility of having spies!
- Intelligent mobs. How intelligent? Some of them can answer your questions, others can respond to your actions. These aren't your daddies mobs! These suckers have some brains! Some will even call the cops!
- Scripting system that makes for many different things to be possible. Based off the Death Gate Scripts, this system has been expanded to areas that others haven't begun to touch.
- Portals! Portals! Portals! Save your feet! Walk across the galaxy! In the works is also portals similar to Stargate, where one portal may lead a dozen different places, you just have to know the address.
- Disturbingly funny death system. When you die, you become a spirit, and have to find a way to get yourself back in your body before the grave daemons toss you in the eternal funeral pyre. Well, maybe its not that way yet, but it will be!
- BDSM friendly. Yes, this is going to be an ADULT ORIENTED MUD. It will be friendly with those in the lifestyle. Of course, most places on the MUD won't be public scening allowed, there has to be SOME decency.
- House renting. Tired of trying to hide your stuff and carry it around? Rent a house! The code will take care of renting it out to you, and even give you a key, so you can let your friends in if they need to. But beware....someone can pick the lock, so you might want to invest in some....
- TRAPS! Yes! Working! Damaging or other!
- Paintball/catpure the flag. Shoot your friends, stun them, and then capture their flag! A fun little diversion of a game that can be set up when you get two teams together.
- Different damage types, including stun damage
- NO DEATH TRAPS! Yes, they are removed. However, there are room damage traps, but since they each deal a specific type of damage, you may just be immune to it.
- Falling, flying, swimming, boating, underwater & more! You get to explore more then just the land, you can also explore the air, the water, underwater, even space! Its all possible!
- Building code. Not buidlings as in homes, but in that you can combine a recipe of objects to make something. You can bring flour, eggs, salt and an oven together and make your own bread kinda thing!
- Poison! Very similar to the poisons in the D20 SRD, these ones also have a few affects that don't show up in the SRD.
- DRUGS! Yup! From the Book of Vile Darkness! Drugs! We already mentioned sex, but you don't get rock-and-roll!
- Diseases! Different afflictions, including the dreaded plague. The plague is vicious, I have sat down just to watch it spread in a city, and it is virulent!
- Missile weapons, as well as firearms. Why be in the same room, when you can shoot them from afar! Just don't expect them to sit there and take it.
- Multiple coin types. Gold! Silver! Copper! Platinum! Its all here, and maybe more later.
- Languages. Not just a simple garble, but a lot more fun. It will be possible to discern what another is saying, but it won't be a simple matter of replacing one letter for another.
Much much more!
How far away is this game from being done? Too damn far! I just had to chronicle it. Why? Because if I have something written down somewhere, I am more likely to get off my ass and do something about it! There is a LOT to do and I have barely scratched the surface. A lot of what is listed above is already done. The biggest obstacle now? Building the entire world. Gah. Its not easy being God.
Tell me more!
It is based on the CircleMUD 3.1 base. Technically, it was based on an older code, but after moving to the Mac, I decided to just re-start the code from a solid base. It is slowly being merged into a hybrid of the Alternity game rules and D20 SRD game rules. Combat will be allowed, but not encouraged. It will mostly be about role-playing, the only reason I am using a combat base for the MUD is that it is easier to encourage RP and allow combat in a combat based MUD then it is to add combat in a role-playing MUD.
Things that are unique about Terran Eclipse:
- Overhead mapping of wilderness areas. Instead of boring descriptions for EVERY room, its much easier to have an overhead map. This is is something I have not seen in many MUD's, and considering I coded it in myself, I know its unique.
- Familiars that actually have a use other then attacking someone.
- Assassins! Hire a mob to kill your friends, and either they get killed or the assassin does. Wee!
- Complex quest/mission system. A complete story-line can be followed with the quests, with one quest leading to another, and possibly even making other quests impossible to take. Help the bad guys and you can't get a quest from the good guys.
- Realistic weather. You can even have storms that hinder your movement....or a tornado that can kill you or throw you somewhere else.
- The infamous changing maze! A little code snippet I shared that makes a maze of set size (say 10x10) that WILL have a solution...but can actually change WHILE you are in it! Doesn't mean it will, but it can.
- Elevators, subways, and vehicles. Originally developed for another MUD that didn't want them, they make their better debut here.
- Factions, mostly self regulated by players who are in them, even with the possibility of having spies!
- Intelligent mobs. How intelligent? Some of them can answer your questions, others can respond to your actions. These aren't your daddies mobs! These suckers have some brains! Some will even call the cops!
- Scripting system that makes for many different things to be possible. Based off the Death Gate Scripts, this system has been expanded to areas that others haven't begun to touch.
- Portals! Portals! Portals! Save your feet! Walk across the galaxy! In the works is also portals similar to Stargate, where one portal may lead a dozen different places, you just have to know the address.
- Disturbingly funny death system. When you die, you become a spirit, and have to find a way to get yourself back in your body before the grave daemons toss you in the eternal funeral pyre. Well, maybe its not that way yet, but it will be!
- BDSM friendly. Yes, this is going to be an ADULT ORIENTED MUD. It will be friendly with those in the lifestyle. Of course, most places on the MUD won't be public scening allowed, there has to be SOME decency.
- House renting. Tired of trying to hide your stuff and carry it around? Rent a house! The code will take care of renting it out to you, and even give you a key, so you can let your friends in if they need to. But beware....someone can pick the lock, so you might want to invest in some....
- TRAPS! Yes! Working! Damaging or other!
- Paintball/catpure the flag. Shoot your friends, stun them, and then capture their flag! A fun little diversion of a game that can be set up when you get two teams together.
- Different damage types, including stun damage
- NO DEATH TRAPS! Yes, they are removed. However, there are room damage traps, but since they each deal a specific type of damage, you may just be immune to it.
- Falling, flying, swimming, boating, underwater & more! You get to explore more then just the land, you can also explore the air, the water, underwater, even space! Its all possible!
- Building code. Not buidlings as in homes, but in that you can combine a recipe of objects to make something. You can bring flour, eggs, salt and an oven together and make your own bread kinda thing!
- Poison! Very similar to the poisons in the D20 SRD, these ones also have a few affects that don't show up in the SRD.
- DRUGS! Yup! From the Book of Vile Darkness! Drugs! We already mentioned sex, but you don't get rock-and-roll!
- Diseases! Different afflictions, including the dreaded plague. The plague is vicious, I have sat down just to watch it spread in a city, and it is virulent!
- Missile weapons, as well as firearms. Why be in the same room, when you can shoot them from afar! Just don't expect them to sit there and take it.
- Multiple coin types. Gold! Silver! Copper! Platinum! Its all here, and maybe more later.
- Languages. Not just a simple garble, but a lot more fun. It will be possible to discern what another is saying, but it won't be a simple matter of replacing one letter for another.
Much much more!
How far away is this game from being done? Too damn far! I just had to chronicle it. Why? Because if I have something written down somewhere, I am more likely to get off my ass and do something about it! There is a LOT to do and I have barely scratched the surface. A lot of what is listed above is already done. The biggest obstacle now? Building the entire world. Gah. Its not easy being God.