DCU MUSH
Virtual World Creation, Multi-User Interactivity
In the mid-1990's I joined
an interactive community known as a MUSH, a "multi-user shared hallucination."
Essentially, a MUSH is an Internet-based interactive story. Players log on,
become "in character," enter the text-based environment, and interact
with other players. Unlike other multi-user experiences, a MUSH is generally
open-ended; the focus is not on winning but on creating believeable characters
and storylines. The theatre-like environment fosters spontaneous, creative,
and collaborative improvisation on a real time virtual stage that is available
24 hours a day.
Many MUSHes are based on
popular books and movies; the Pern novels and Star Trek are good examples of
source materials used to create popular MUSHes. The particular MUSH I became
involved with was DCU MUSH, which was based on the comic books published by
DC Comics. I played several characters (most often one of my own creation named
"Mirror Lad"), created virtual sets, and produced several "TinyPlots,"
which are interactive story arcs often taking place over several days.
The MUSH environment comes
with its own unique command language for creating characters, objects, and virtual
sets and for communicating with other players. I have included examples below
of the characters and sets I used written in the MUSH command language.
Having proven myself as
a good player, I was honored to receive "wizard" status on DCU MUSH.
Wizards are expected to mentor other players in improvisational skills, developing
their characters, and "learning the ropes." I was also trusted with
a higher level of system access within the environment and given wider latitude
in creating new virtual sets and objects.
A MUSH is a very "pure"
blend of entertainment and technology, and my experiences on DCU MUSH were much
more rewarding than I expected. Creating TinyPlots allowed me to flex my storytelling
muscles, but I also learned a great deal about creative collaboration. Unlike
a film director, a player leading a TinyPlot has little real control over the
story, as different players bring their own perspective, reactions, and insights.
So teamwork and real-time problem-solving become very important skills to master.
I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in storytelling and multi-user
experiences to spend some time on a MUSH.
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WONDER
WOMAN
&info
me=Wonder Woman, Princess of the Amazons%rNAME: Diana Prince%rHOME: Paradise
Island%rEYES: Blue%rHAIR: Black %rPOWERS: Wonder Woman is strong, swift,
and a master fighter. Her bracelets can repel bullets and other weapons.
Her magic lasso can bend others to her will. %rHISTORY: Wonder Woman was
"born" on Paradise Island, and, through her victory in a fierce competition
with her sisters, she won the honor to be the Amazons' champion in Man's
World. She is a member of the Justice Society of America and the All-Star
Squadron.
&desc-ww
me=Wonder Woman, the sensational Amazon Princess from Paradise Island,
stands before you. Flowing, curly black hair surrounding a face of goddess-like
beauty, and her trim, fit body represents the peak of Amazon perfection.
She wears a red top featuring a golden eagle, a star-spangled short blue
skirt, and red boots with white trim; her accessories include a gold tiara
with a red single star, silver bracelets on her wrists, and round red
earrings. Hanging from one hip is her famous golden lasso. %rWonder Woman
notices you and gives you a warm smile.
&desc-dp
me=Diana Prince wears a smart blue business suit and skirt. Black-rimmed
glasses help hide her beautiful face.
@set
me=ENTER_OK
@lock me=me
@lock/uselock me=me
@adesc me=@pemit me=%N just looked at you.
@aconnect me=+msg/scan;whoami;@doing Visiting Man's World.
@otport me=steps out of an invisible jet.
@tport me=You step into an invisible jet and fly to...
@oxtport me=steps into an invisible jet and disappears.
@amove me=@emit/room [u(move[rand(6)])];+view
&move0 me=[name(me)] walks into view.
&move1 me=[name(me)], the star-spangled Amazon Princess, is here.
@alias me=WW
&chat_alias me=Diana
&plots_alias me=Amazon Princess
&allstars_alias me=Linda Carter
@sex me=Female
&pos me=JSAer, All-Star
&email me=mirrorlad@aol.com
&altchars me=XS, Terrill Hall, Mirror Lad @ DCU-FUTURE
&finger me=$finger *:+finger %0
&hit me=$hit *::punches %0 in the gut.
&lasso me=$lasso *::throws %p golden lasso around %0.
&laugh me=$laugh::throws her head back and laughs.
&o me=$o *:@emit/room ///OOC/// %N %0
&poke me=$poke *::pokes %0 with a sharp fingernail.
&smile me=$smile::flashes a picture-perfect smile.
&think me=$think *:@emit/room %N thinks . o O (%0)
&wait me=$wait:@emit/room [name(me)] waits.
&wave me=$wave::gives a friendly wave.
&whoami me=$whoami:@pemit %#=You are currently [name(me)].
&wonder me=$wonder::wrinkles %p brow in confusion. "I'm sorry, I don't
understand."
&actions
me=$actions:@pemit %#=%rWonder Womans's actions: %r - finger <whoever>
%r - hit <whoever> %r - lasso %r - laugh %r - o <OOC message>
%r - poke <whoever> %r - smile %r - think <thoughts> %r -
wait %r - wave %r - whoami %r - wonder
&costumes
me=$costumes:@pemit %#=%rWonder Woman's costumes: %r%r - Diana Prince:
dp%r - WonderWoman: ww
&ww me=$ww::changes into her star-spangled outfit.;@desc me=[u(desc-ww)];@name
me=Wonder Woman
&dp me=$dp::changes into her Army uniform.;@desc me=[u(desc-dp)];@name
me=Diana Prince
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DAILY
PLANET - EXTERIOR
@desc
Daily Planet Building=The Daily Planet Building rises before you, thrusting
a giant golden globe high into the sky, like an over-sized trophy. A revolving
door leads into the building. @succ Daily Planet Building=You walk through
the revolving door and enter...
@osucc
Daily Planet Building=walks through the revolving door of the Daily Planet
Building.
@odrop Daily Planet Building=emerges from the revolving door of the Daily
Planet Building.
DAILY
PLANET - LOBBY
@desc
here=You are standing in the lobby of the Daily Planet Building, a pleasant
buffer between the busy streets of the city and the offices of the great
metropolitan newspaper. Populated with potted ferns, antique printing
equipment, a small globe, and a few scattered chairs, the lobby provides
a comfortable, yet professional, environment in which to relax. %rA revolving
glass door leads out of the lobby. An elevator offers access to the rest
of the building. You notice a directory near the elevator.
@desc
elevator=You see a normal-looking elevator. %rNext to the elevator hangs
a directory of the building. Scanning through, you note the following:%rPerry
White: Managing Editor - 21st Floor %rLois Lane - 21st Floor %rClark Kent
- 21st Floor
@name
out=Out;outside;northwest;nw
@desc out=A revolving door leads out onto the streets of Metropolis.
@succ out=You walk through the revolving door and arrive in...
@osucc out=emerges from the revolving door of the Daily Planet Building.
@odrop out=walks through the revolving door of the Daily Planet Building.
@name
elevator=Elevator;ele;el;east;e
@desc elevator=You see an ordinary-looking elevator.
@succ elevator=You walk through the elevator doors.
@osucc elevator=walks through the elevator doors and disappears.
@odrop elevator=emerges from the elevator.
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