Kotaku: Mud

One Man's Descent Into Gaming Gender Bending

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 20:40:46 MST

Even though I'm a red-blooded male who has never once tried on mother's heels or my girlfriend's underthings, ten times out of ten, I'm going with the female avatar in a video game—if given the chance.

Why? Simple really. If I'm going to look at a character for ten to forty hours (or a hundred, as I did in Phantasy Star Online), it had better be something I'm fond of looking at. (It's not that uncommon for me to have spent 2 or more hours designing my perfect fake female. I'm picky!)

On the other hand, some friends of mine like to exploit the horny teens and lonely adults who will hit on anything with polygonal breasts. These friends always took advantage of the gender mystery, using their girly avatars to con armor, weapons and favors from men who go ga-ga over the possibility of finding an underwear model/WoW addict who prefers pot bellies.

This week's issue of the Escapist has a swell tale of author Bruce Sterling Woodcock's journey from sexy MUD cybering to learning about the online social interaction between men and men—when one of those men is a virtual woman. Also includes a warning about how sneaky e-ladies might see their veil lifted by changes in technology.

In the meantime, any other gender switchers out there? Michael "Yumi" McWhertor

Confessions of an MMOG Cross-Dresser [The Escapist]

Richard Bartle on the Sex MUD That Almost Was

brownlee — Thu, 04 May 2006 10:40:07 MDT

As all Kotaku readers know, Second Life is the virtual world most famous for finally allowing Wagner James Au to experience the semblance of getting laid. But what would he have done if Second Life had never been created? To what game would WJA and Second Life's panoply of virtual prostitutes flocked then?

Over at The Escapist, Richard Bartle — the game designer who created the very first MUD back in 1978 — has a highly entertaining account of the sex MUD a dot com company approached him to created in 2000. It's a really great read, detailing the tough decisions that go into designing a game of this type. For example, do you implement a PvP-like system and allow characters to flag themselves as rape-able? How is pregnancy handled? What about chlamydia? Bartle even describes an innovative sexual "combat" system in which the amount of "mana" you have doesn't benefit you, but instead your partner.

Of course, the Dot Com bubble burst and the game was never completed, but even if you aren't Wagner James Au, you should read Bartle's reminisces. This is a hugely entertaining read and actually a good primer on the game design process to boot.

I Was Young, I Needed the Money [Escapist]

George Bush' s Textual Misadventure

lsmith — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 09:40:50 MST

Defective Yeti has a hysterical "text adventure" up of President Bush's presidency. It's not interactive, but old MUD users will get a kick out of the whole thing. A preview is after the jump, for the whole thing, click over.

Thanks Susan

Iraqi Invasion: A Text Misadventure [Defective Yeti]

Oval Office
You are standing inside a White House, having just been elected to the presidency of the United States. You knew Scalia would pull through for you.

There is a large desk here, along with a few chairs and couches. The presidential seal is in the middle of the room and there is a full-length mirror upon the wall.

What do you want to do now?

> INVADE IRAQ
You are not able to do that, yet.

> LOOK MIRROR
Self-reflection is not your strong suit.

> PET SEAL
It's not that kind of seal.

> EXAMINE CHAIRS
They are two several chairs arranged around the center of the room, along with two couches. Under one couch you find Clinton's shoes.

> FILL SHOES
You are unable to fill Clinton's shoes.