Review Submitted By: Adderlash
Author Status: Player
Started on ShadowGate: 1997
Submission Date: Oct 15, 2009
TMC Listing: ShadowGate
The following review is the opinion of the review's author [Adderlash]
and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff.
This review is solely the opinion of the author based on 10+ years
of experience as a player.
Shadowgate is an old MUD and it has some die hard players. It can be
fun, but you should know a few things before investing time.
1. Skill means little on this MUD. Your level progression is limited
by your play time. For top level, Admin requires 15 days play time
(yes, that's ridiculous and yes it is down from 30 days).
2. Expect immortals to be invisible, to talk behind your back, to
post sticky notes about your play that only they can read. Expect
upper levels to also talk behind your back (known as 'HM's' or
'High Mortals'). Its like a pack of middle school girls.
3. Immortals play favorites big time. They cheat too. And they have
no compunction about deleting accounts of players that they disagree
with. --- Just to give you an idea, I posted some comments on an off
mud yahoo board and had my account deleted, full disclosure.
This MUD used to kick some serious butt, but it has gone to the dogs.
If you really need a rule, it should be hardcoded. Unfortunately,
Garrett hasn't figured that out yet. See for yourself. You've been
warned!
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Comment Submitted By: the cheerful midget
Author Status: Player
Started on ShadowGate: 1999
Submission Date: Nov 27, 2009
(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author
[the cheerful midget] and in no way represents the opinions of this website
or its staff).
The unfortunate comments of a very jaded player who decided the
mud should be run according to his rules and got upset when he
realized he wasn't in charge.
The game will be what you make of it. I wouldn't still be here
enjoying it after ten years if that wasn't the case.
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Comment Submitted By: Keldoran
Author Status: Player
Started on ShadowGate: 1996
Submission Date: Jun 23, 2010
(The following review comment is the opinion of the comment's author
[Keldoran] and in no way represents the opinions of this website
or its staff).
I have to agree with Adderlash on some points.
The Playing time required if you 'want to be someone' on this MUD
is over the top. At times you get the feel that the admin wants you to
consider this your 'second life' rather than a game!
It is also true that in previous times the staff 'Wizes and admins'
would post invisible notes on your back, describing why you shouldn't
be allowed to advance in level or why you are a poor Rpg'er
according to their own opinion. However, I don't believe it is like
that anymore.
HM's is still in effect, and needs to be achieved in order to reach
top-level (and thus use the best gear available). HM status can be a
real pain to get, as it requires a high amount of playing time (Better
start living the mud), and be Rpg'ing according to what the staff
consider 'good Rpg'.
Cheating Immortals was true as well. But luckily it was long ago
this happened. But in the start, the staff/Imms would cheat regularly
when playing their own chars. This doesn't happen anymore.
What bothers me even more is the fact that there are several items
which can improve your character stats/skills and general abilities.
But the admins have decided that this shouldn't be player-knowledge.
If you should be lucky enough to get a item granting you E.G. +1 Dex
... chances are that you would never know, and trade it away for a
item that doesn't grand any bonuses ... But at least you'd be never
the wiser.
Generally: Shadowgate is a really entertaining MUD, even considering
the points above and I play there myself (as a casual player) and can
recommend it in general. But if you want top level, be prepared to
make sacrifices in your personal-life in order to achieve the
Playing-Time and Rpg expertise required by the admin to be HM.
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