Member Discussions

Hi there everyone, i am a third year university student writing my dissertation on MUDs, as an avid computer game fan but a new user to MUDs i wondered if you could help me with some of your experiences with MUDs. I am looking at identity and community within MUDs and if you could help me with your thoughts that would be great. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have anything you would like to share or any queries you may have about my studies.

Thankyou for taking the time to read my message

Hi there everyone, i am a third year university student writing my dissertation on MUDs

*cough*
We sooooooo need a FAQ for this...

I am looking at identity and community within MUDs

Well...I once played on this weird mud where Bret Michaels was a country singer (he even wore a cowboy hat) and Pat Boone sang metal and wore leather and chains and...oh...*blush*...sorry..that wasn't a mud.

Kitkat - never mind -

I'm looking to study mud researchers and what motivates them. Just why are they so interested in muds? Why do they use buzzwords like 'identity' and 'community'? Why do they all end up in the end asking about sex? Why don't they have their own special entry in the DSM? Why isn't anyone looking for a cure!!?

I'm looking to study mud researchers and what motivates them. Just why are they so interested in muds? Why do they use buzzwords like 'identity' and 'community'? Why do they all end up in the end asking about sex? Why don't they have their own special entry in the DSM? Why isn't anyone looking for a cure!!?

Tyche, this is the funniest thing that I've seen in a long time.

...from what I understand the best way to profile people, or study them if you want to use nicer terminology is to watch them, and interact with them. I do believe coming straight out and asking them about themselves, will give you skewed data.

How about actually asking specific questions?

However, I tend to agree with some of the other folks that you need to do some legwork on a MUD yourself.

> I'm looking to study mud researchers and what motivates them.

I have a GUT feeling about this... 'COURSE I might be wrong...

But I think his email address pretty much says it all. :)

So is it another study like this one?
This one has various links to other studies and views.

Role-Playing and Multi-player Computer Game Addiction
Submited November, 1999 - Michael Efford
http://multimedia.design.curtin.edu/cache/g/0002/

Hi I’m sorry if I offended anyone on here that isn't my intention at all. I wanted to ask people about their use of MUDs in a forum as I wanted personal views and I have found interacting with people in MUDs difficult as I am new to the whole thing and it can be very disorientating. I know that you have probably been asked these questions thousands of times and that the subject is broad but your feedback is important to my research. Previous research is helpful but it doesn't give me first hand information to help me understand and develop an argument for my work.

As for the e-mail address I know its crap but I’m not a pervy German it’s just a song title that I’ve had for a few years now, lame I know.

It might help if you ask some more specific questions, Stefano. I don't think anyone understands what you're asking for.

I just want to know a little about people identity on MUDs and how they differ from their off-line identity. Why you yourselves make the choices you do on MUDs to project your personality and how that may differ from every day life. I'm posting because I want to find real users opinions and not just read into academic work which may generalise.

I wanted to ask people about their use of MUDs in a forum as I wanted personal views and I have found interacting with people in MUDs difficult as I am new to the whole thing and it can be very disorientating

Most muds have people designated as newbie helpers. They answer questions about the mud, help you find your way around and generally try to ease new players into the game. First hand information implies first hand knowledge and the only way to truly get that is to observe mudding in progress. We all were clueless at one time but you can pick it up with a little time and effort.

I’m sorry if I offended anyone on here that isn't my intention at all

I don't think anyone was offended, just tired of seeing the same questions. Looking through the TMC archives will yield dozens of posts from academics. They all begin very vague (and sometimes a little coy) then eventually the 'hey, so do you crossdress on the mud' statements come whishing out. Oh wow, gender fluidity in the mudding enviroment. Sigh.

*sound of Kitkat banging her head on the desktop*

As for your subject, I don't understand the fascination you psyche guys have with it, or your relunctance to get your feet wet while doing the research. MUDs are not...mysterious. Mudding is kind of like repeated visits to an amusement park. (or a Wal-Mart supercenter..grin) There are minor differences but for the most part people chose how much of themselves to reveal on a mud just as they do in non-mud activities.

(RP is a slightly different case but you haven't specified RP identity as your subject)

And I do think any resistance you are finding is because you haven't been specific in what you are looking for. Many people in the mudding community have no desire to be the subject of yet another paper on how gender identity is experimented with in the mudding enviroment.

It might also help if you listed a 'real' email address. I have a free one here but this is 'playtime'. For my business and my guitar site I use a real address so my customers know I am serious. It might help people feel more comfortable with you if your email reflected more 'academic scholar' and less 'whoa, free hotmail'. ;)

Kitkat - hmmm...if you are a builder are muds like Home Depot... -

I just want to know a little about people identity on MUDs and how they differ from their off-line identity. Why you yourselves make the choices you do on MUDs to project your personality and how that may differ from every day life. I'm posting because I want to find real users opinions and not just read into academic work which may generalise.

Well, lets see, my all powerful God character who with but a single snap of his fingers brings into life dragons, regions of the world, and makes mortals quiver, is actually a lot like my RL personage.

When I don't put on my God personality (When I log onto another game) My elfin personality, whose quick with his bow, and deadly with his long sword, is nothing like me. I'm a sloth in reallife. The Elf drinks wine, and I drink beer. The elf is in good shape, I smoke, play video games and Roleplay p'n'p like.

Just like any activity that allows someone to take on another role, it's escapism. So is Acting, so is P'n'P, so is MMORPG, so is Reading, Writing.

Again... the best way is to get into a game, it's not that difficult to get on. use help, it's quite, um helpful.

I also studied MUDs for my Master's thesis and have my study online. If you are interested, check out the study: The Learning Potential of MUDs

Although this is not the exact topic of your dissertation, you might find some of the results interesting. If you would like to know more about the study you can email me directly.

Quote:
Previous research is helpful but it doesn't give me first hand information to help me understand and develop an argument for my work.


I know other people have responded to this, but let me bring you the perspective of another academic.

You cannot do research about sociological environments without jumping in and getting your feet wet. Not even if it's the society of ANTS. First hand information must come from
a) experience and
b) trust.

You obviously can't experience a lifetime of data in a few years of research, much less the hordes of lifetimes you'd need to achieve for good perspective. However, you need some experience, and you need to put yourself in a position so people want to talk to you. That means you need to be one with the community, know the ebb and flow, and most importantly, be in a position where people think you will understand.

Most academics don't, with notable exceptions (of course). And I'm not some academic-hater, I'm a graduate student myself. In fact, I work in theoretical data mining models, so, if the data mining guy tells you not to rely solely on data mining, you should probably listen. :D

If you'd really like to get in deep, I'm sure there are lots of people here who'd be willing to introduce you into the society on a variety of muds, and help you get a real feel for what's going on.