TMC Player Reviews: LegendMUD

(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author [Trinity] and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff).

Just a few counterpoints, if you will.

1 - New players who actually care to learn about the mud will not 
allow themselves to be power-levelled and left completely naive to
the intricacies of the virtual world. Certainly, there are players
who (unfortunately) create such 'useless characters.' However, I am 
absolutely confident that there are more than a few players who would
be happy to sit down and explain the mud to anyone who cares to 
listen. Case in point: just recently there has been a resurgence in 
the New Player Helpers (a clan dedicated to...you guessed 
it...helping new players.) I suggest that any new player with a 
desire to learn the mud seek out these folks...easily identified by 
the letters 'NPH' in their titles.)

2 - Yes. If you don't know anyone it is extremely difficult to 
advance in the game. This is because Legend promotes...gasp...player 
interaction! Roleplay! Socializing! Holy majole! The horror! 
Suggestion: meet other players. They're everywhere (if you are having 
difficulty finding other players...please see the bit about New 
Player Helpers in the preceeding paragraph.) Isn't it extremely 
difficult to advance in real life if you don't know anyone? But I 
digress.

3 - I wish that I could disagree with the idea that the immortal-
player base is a tangled political system...but I can't. Does this 
detract from your mudding experience? No. Unless you were looking to 
become an immortal...in which case in might be a good idea to make a 
good impression and learn said political system. Learn it well. I 
mean, isn't that how it works with most jobs? In the end, though, 
players who are on Legend to enjoy playing will not be affected by 
the immortal staff. Or rather, do not have to be affected. Don't 
break any rules. Don't provoke them. Don't expect immortal run 
games...just be pleasantly surprised when you get them. And try to 
ignore the whining and woe is me and power-trip rants of some of the 
less valuable immortals...you should be fine.

4 - Legend is not for advanced players only. It was my first mud 
nearly 10 years ago. And though I have strayed and returned and 
strayed, etc...I can assure you that this mud is well-worth the time 
of any player, novice or expert. The writing is superb, the unique 
acts system is tremendous, there are myriad quests (ranging from 
simple to exceedingly complex), and there are both players and 
immortals who are willing to help you.   

(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author [Masha Corlan] and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff).

I do have a few things to point out to Leigh, as well as 
to any others who read her scathing and misinformed review 
of LegendMUD.  No, I'm not on the immortal staff, but I 
am a player, which I believe gives me a somewhat 
valid place to put my responses.

Now, onto my point...

Leigh talks about how newbies can be easily powerlevelled.  
This is true, if the newbie is just plain lazy and not 
willing to learn.  Not everyone on LegendMUD likes to 
see a high-level newbie who cannot get from the Sherwood 
Forest to the Royal Stag Inn (which is only 4 rooms 
away at best).  I, for one, and a few others I know, 
will only powerlevel a new character of a friend that 
I've known for a while, not a complete newbie.

Second, Leigh's point on the MUD being group reliant.  
I have to strongly disagree on this.  Not all pieces 
of equipment or levels of experience are based on 
having a group.  I remember spending the first 
twenty-five levels on my own getting experience 
and low-level gear.  Yes, if you want to have fun, 
you group up with people.  You can learn some of 
their wisdom and tips on how to make Legend easier, 
but you have to go out and try to make a friend, 
now whine on a public channel first.

On Leigh's third paragraph about corrupt Immortal 
Staff, I have to disagree yet again.  It is true 
that I've had my run-in with the staff, and they 
have done a good job policing me, as well as others, 
when we were at our worse.  As for the running of 
games, there is the point to be made that players 
abused these games, hence Immortal Staff unwilling 
to want to run them as often.  Those who are applying 
for Imm Staff are not 'caught up in a tangled 
political system'.  Yes, they are voted upon, but 
they are chosen based on acceptability amongst the 
staff and amongst the player base.

In closing, LegendMUD is not just for advanced 
players.  New players are always welcome.  Once a 
new player reads the rules and understands them, 
things can go on nicely for them.  I was a new player 
to LegendMUD, and I read the rules, understood them, 
then asked for help on a channel on learning the MUD.
It's not gone downhill since I've played, and I've 
been there for a while now.

--Masha Corlan

(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author [anotherLeigh] and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff).

'Much of the immortal staff is corrupt'??? 
I have seen a few instances of abuse of power over the years, and I
do believe that player/imm relations could use some improvement, but
this accusation is ridiculous, un-based, and, well, lacking in any
backup.

Over time, it seems, the muds (the good ones) have more old
players who get bored but are reluctant to leave. Some of them turn
disgruntled, nasty, whiney and sometimes paranoid.
My best suggestion to those: instead of crapping about the mud 
here, take some time off, find another mud, explore new worlds.
You were not given a life sentence. You are free to leave. 

(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author [Duckon] and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff).

I disagree.  Yes, some people do powerlevel newbies. Yes, sometimes 
it does seem hard to find someone to help a newbie. But to make the 
generalization that you must be this and you must be that before you 
can advance in this game is a big load of malarkey.  This game is 
very newbie friendly.  I, myself, will help a newbie at the drop of 
a dime. Not powerleveling, but helping, as in directing.

And to say that the Immortal Staff is corrupt is to also say that 
they are no longer good at their job?  Which I find all reason to 
disagree with.  I believe the Immortals work very hard to provide a 
mud that all people no matter what nationality, race, sex, and/or 
religion, age and other wise can join.  They are constantly providing 
flag hunts and PK tournaments, along with other great activities.  If 
you ask me, they've done nothing but good.  Someone isn't very 
appreciative and seems to be quite bitter.

On ending, I believe LegendMud is the greatest mud ever.  And for 
that, I salute its Immortals and its Players for jobs well done!  
This mud is great for all players, and it should be highly praised 
for such a great atmosphere.

(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author [Dr Herbert West] and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff).

While parts of the review are fairly accurate things are not 
so lost as it may seem.

As a newbie on LegendMUD if you ask the right people you will
receive guidance which HOPEFULLY will also be education so that
when you need to do things on your own you won't become frustrated.
There are certainly elements of struggle in newbieness but thats 
the same in almost all muds.

Groups are important, they encourage socialising while also 
getting you the experience and equipment you need, and are 
also the ultimate counter to the comments about needing to 
be popular to get anywhere, if you hang out with a group of 
people there will always be chances to just talk for awhile 
between the action, its there that you will make some of your 
best friends on Legend, and one or two of those is all you 
will ever really need.

But if you still want to come and see some of the more 
impressive code design and a more living mud than others 
I do suggest it, even if you are totally unsure after 
reading these posts.

And you are MORE than welcome to ask me for help *grin*

Professor Herbert West.
Doctorate of Newbie Training.

(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author [Void] and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff).

I agree with this honest review about LegendMUD. But I would like to 
add how the immortals staff treat the PK community of LegendMUD. 

Eventhough they tried to hide it, most of them want to take out the 
PK system totally. If you tried to take a PK conversation on one of 
the public channel, like chat. You will get warned for and forced to 
moved it somewhere else. And still, even when mortals would asked for
a official public PK channel, they shrug and just ignore us.

Another point on LegendMUD poor PK system is the fact that they have 
two PK codes running at once. One is called PKOK, allowing anyone to 
have a duel type of PK. And the other one is called PKE, aka old pk 
system, where you can be attacked by PKE characters anytime, and the 
only way to get out, is to either redeem or playerfile deletion 
through perma. This might in theory sound great, allowing hardcore 
PKers and casual PKers to have fun. Too bad however, this isn't the 
case. Since LegendMUD have a small players base, most of the time, 
there isn't enough active players on either side of the PKE or PKOK 
to actually have a active PK community. On top of that, with PKOK in 
place, most PKE players would have a threat of cross-playing. Where 
one PKE character would die, then log on their PKOK character and try 
to kill a already wounded PKE character. Joining a PKE clan would 
automaticly set you to Accept All, a PKOK option, where anyone can
accept you and kill you. This also mean that by joining a PKE clan, 
you are welcoming cross-playing players against you. PKOK is theory 
again, sound great, allowing anyone to PK when they wants to. But the
truth is, PKOK encourage nothing, beside dirty tricks like killing 
someone, and rejecting them a few hours later, stopping them from 
allowing revenge on you.

The RP community consist of 3 or 4 players that only RP with themself,
joining one of the RP 'gang' would require you to actually first be 
experience with LegendMUD, and then actually find them and prove to 
them that you aren't going to poison their RP community.

So to sum up my points, if you want a active PK mud, don't choose 
LegendMUD. If you want a active RP mud, don't choose LegendMUD.

Only come here, if you are willing to take the abuse old players diss 
out to new players. Or that you want a original muds with great areas 
and codes (Not PK codes of course).

(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author [Oddball Tourist] and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff).

Legend is a vast world full of in-depth quests, storyline, 
adventures,and areas. It is easy to become addicted once you get 
the hang of it. 

True, this mud is very addicting  - I have been here on and off for 6
years. It's fun.

Newbie-unfriendly:
This I do not think is true.  If the person is a true newbie and not
a new character of an old player, people do try to help and
explain.  However, frequently it is a new name only and the person
as more interested in what you can do for them rather than learning
because they already know.  Of course, the other problem is that
this mud is so different from the rest - not having a mud school and
not having teachers all in the same place.  When I tried a mud with
those features, I was confused and disoriented and had trouble
adjusting to that style so I figure that is also a problem for
a new player at Legend. Legend takes patience and perservance when
at low level to progress.

This I do not think is true.  If the person is a true newbie and not 
a new character of an old player, people do try to help and 
explain.  However, frequently it is a new name only and the person 
as more interested in what you can do for them rather than learning 
because they already know.  Of course, the other problem is that 
this mud is so different from the rest - not having a mud school and
not having teachers all in the same place.  When I tried a mud with 
those features, I was confused and disoriented and had trouble 
adjusting to that style so I figure that is also a problem for
a new player at Legend. Legend takes patience and perservance when 
at low level to progress.

Group reliant and requires knowing people:
Unfortunately, this is true.  The game has been changed to promote
grouping as it is a goal of the imms.  This is not something I
enjoy.  I feel like I should not be forced to group to get ahead.
Even with a well known character, it can be hard to get said group
to get the piece of equipment you need.

Unfortunately, this is true.  The game has been changed to promote 
grouping as it is a goal of the imms.  This is not something I 
enjoy.  I feel like I should not be forced to group to get ahead.  
Even with a well known character, it can be hard to get said group 
to get the piece of equipment you need.

Corrupt immortals & disciplinary actions:
Ok, I doubt that if imms had been disciplined many times that they
would continue to be imms, no matter how corrupt it may appear to
the non-imms.  However, I do believe the imms have adopted a more
hands-off approach and are not enjoying the game as much and don't
want to participate in games and the like.  But then, shall we
review our own behavior as reasons they don't want to do that?

Ok, I doubt that if imms had been disciplined many times that they 
would continue to be imms, no matter how corrupt it may appear to 
the non-imms.  However, I do believe the imms have adopted a more 
hands-off approach and are not enjoying the game as much and don't 
want to participate in games and the like.  But then, shall we 
review our own behavior as reasons they don't want to do that?

Advanced players, impressions & change:
The world is full of change, whether good or bad.  Life is about
adapting.  So adapt as you will...with or without legend and its
people.  I don't think Legend has been downgraded, even though I
would rather than some changes had not been made.

Conclusion - Still worth playing for the people and the fun!

(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author [Ingrid] and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff).

On not being newbie friendly (first paragraph): 

I have to agree. However I am not sure it is entirely the old players'
fault. I have, as an old player, met many newbies I tried to sit down
with to teach them about the game-mechanics, not telling them anything
they have not asked about. Less than 5 had the patience to listen.
More than 1 told me to shut up because he was offered to be dragged
about and be powerleveled.

So, is this 'end-up-as-a-clueless-highlevel'-thing not as much the
newbie's own fault?

On being group/friend reliant (paragraph 2):

Yes, you need to talk to people. It is good to have friends so make
some. Is that really that bad? It is not impossible. 
And is advancing slow at first? So what? Why do we all need to be
perfect from day 1 (or 3 for that matter). Take your time, learn the
game, don't be powerleveled.

On evil immortal conspiracy (paragraph 3):

Okay. That is one opinion. Immortals are lazy (they don't want to
run games). I have heard enough players whining over games to 
understand why they don't bother.

Some immortals are breaking the rules, cheating and misusing their
powers. Granted, there has probably been problems with corrupt imms.
So much more reason for not allowing 'anybody' to become immortal.
Call it tangled political system or narrow pinhole.

On the closing (last paragraph):

I am not sure what to think about this. 
Yes, you need to make an impression to be recognized. I fail to
see how that is different from everywhere else. 
Is it easy to get warned? Yes, it is easy to break the rules.
I disagree that legend has changed from good to worse. It is different
than it once was. And I can see why some people would say it is worse.
I dont, maybe I am good at adapting?

(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author [Sana] and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff).

I'm not going to get into the whole political-immortal issue really
except to say I was shocked when I was told by an immortal that I
might as well stop logging in because sooner or later i'm going to be
asked to leave. I have a relatively clean record, the few warnings
I do have stem from the accidental slip up with a naughty word and
clan channels or chat. But I wouldn't hold that against all the
immortals, this immortal is just old and grouchy and should take a
break from legend because he seems to think it's imms against
players...and actually, playing a mort sometimes wouldn't hurt him
either, maybe get rid of that separation complex he has, since we are
all players. I wonder if he can find the stag from sherwood as masha
mentioned....

But anyway I said I wasn't going to get into this and the real reason 
I wanted to post was to disagree with the whole 'grouping is required'
train of thought, There is not many items that I can't get completely 
solo with one of my characters (most can be gotten with this one in 
fact...) and if I pick a good partner, there are almost none. And 
with a good trio, the only thing I can't see being able to get is a 
Kill zone item, but well... This also applies to experience gaining, 
not one of my favorite pass-times but if I have to I can easily get 
enough of it on my own, and again with a wisely chosen partner there 
is pretty much nothing you can't do. Now obviously I have more 
experience than the average newbie and I wouldn't expect them to be 
able to do these things but I was just sort of shocked when I saw so 
many experienced players claiming grouping is needed even for them...
anyway...