Comment posted on Fri May 6 16:32:30 2005 by Dietric:
     

I considered not responding to this review at all, instead letting the review I wrote a few weeks ago stand on it's own as stark contrast to the opinions of WilliamHung, but then a few things occurred to me:

1. Hey, I'm a new player. Why don't I feel the same way this guy does? Why is it that I didn't find the same flaws he did? I began playing LegendMUD just recently...and while I found the xp process difficult, I didn't find it debilitatingly so. The game DOES require some effort so as to weed out those who would simply make throw-away character after throw-away character in an attempt to achieve the ultimate in powergaming monsters. I've managed 35 of 50 levels in my first month of play.

2 - Hey, I'm a new player who made a magic-using character...why don't I find the magic system as complicated as this guy? Certainly, it's not as cut and dry as most 'ca fireball' magic systems. However, I find the difficulty in obtaining and figuring out the magic system balanced by the sheer number of spells and, dare I say, coolness the system affords. Amount of time to figure out how the magic system worked: 3 days. Though I bet I was a slow learner. Amount of time it took to realize how cool the magic system was compared to others I'd dealt with: 1.

3 - Hey, I'm a new player who sees new players everyday on the MUD... how is the player base dwindling? No words necessary: I am a living contradiction to this claim. As far as the 'Only the cynical and unfriendly remain' claim...let me get back to that. Keep it in mind.

4 - Hey, I'm a new player and I just read all about how the immortals are in the process of revamping post-level 50 (the maximum level) gameplay. Though, currently there are rewards in place for experience garnered after level 50.

5 - Hey, I'm a new player and I've found all of the immortal staff pretty helpful. Maybe this is because of recent restructuring or maybe its because:

6 - Holy cow! WilliamHung IS IN FACT one of the cynical and unhelpful players he alludes to in his review! While I certainly can't refute such obvious evidence, I can assure new players that there ARE very helpful and nice folks on the MUD. For more information on that, read my player review...or any of the others that are up, for that matter.

While I generally adhere to a no-retaliation policy, I feel it justified in this case because I really believe that WilliamHung's review is a mean-spirited attempt at ceasing the growth of LegendMUD. Either he doesn't play the same MUD I've been playing, or he hasn't played it in a while, OR he's bitter about something or another and just can't get over it...hence the need for an anonymous review.

In the end neither WilliamHung nor myself are what make or break LegendMUd. The MUD itself has been quite capable of existing by virtue of its own merit for 11 years now. So judge for yourself...log on and write your own review!

Comment posted on Mon May 8 08:57:50 2006 by Zillah:
     

Alright, normally I wouldn't be responding to this review either, but apparently I'm not the only person who feels this way about the above review, so here it is.

I've been playing LegendMUD for four years, give or take, and have been playing seriously for around three years. I haven't seen everything to be sure, considering how long Legend has been up, but I've seen enough. Whenever I meet another MUDder, I immediately mention LegendMUD as a recommendation. In fact, it is the -only- MUD I recommend -- partly because after I started playing Legend, I never played another MUD again. Why? Because even though Legend is thirteen years old, it is constantly evolving. There are new features, areas, items, quests, mobs, and players on a monthly basis. One never runs out of things to explore and learn; there are a wide variety of classes and subclasses to choose from, a very flexible stat and eq system, a myriad of areas in an enormous world to explore or lay the smack down on from ancient to medieval to industrial. In addition, Legend boasts one of the hardest-working and most helpful staff you're likely to find anywhere else. Some of the people who are working behind the scenes at LegendMUD have been doing so for years, and are consitently active... and that's saying a lot, especially taking into consideration that LegendMUD is entirely FREE.

Yes, I will agree: as a new player, you are going to encounter some difficulties. That's to be expected when playing on a new system that you don't know yet.

We're all gamers here. You know the drill. Leveling and learning come slowly at first, but once you get the knack for it, you'll find that it really isn't that difficult. And as far as help and support go -- the playerbase is fantastic, (the above bitter commenter aside,) and we -will- help you. Legend even has a clan of characters dedicated purely to helping new players to get their bearings: 'NPH' or the 'New Player Helpers,' (of which I myself am a member.) And again, I point to Legend's immortal staff, who in my experience are also eternally patient and helpful. If you are respectful, people will without fail come to your aid. I don't know when the above post was made, however I can also say that the statement that 'there is no endgame for characters achieving max level' is patently untrue. Among some other intensely exciting recent changes is the 'eralevel' system, allowing characters who have reached max level to earn experience points toward rare new skills and abilities. Playing is what you make of it. If you expect everything to be handed to you, maybe it isn't the game for you. If you want something easy, something that doesn't occasionally challenge you, then look elsewhere. This game gives back what you put into it.

In conclusion, I will say this: yes, LegendMUD has its flaws. It is not 'the perfect MUD.' There's no such thing. Tastes vary, and not every MUD is for every player. But if you're at all intrigued by the concept that Legend is based around, chances are you will enjoy your experience. All in all, the downfalls are far outweighed by the merits of this gem.

Comment posted on Thu Sep 25 12:10:53 2003 by Trinity:
     

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.

Comment posted on Thu Sep 25 09:30:18 2003 by Masha Corlan:
     

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

Comment posted on Wed Sep 24 18:28:49 2003 by anotherLeigh:
     

'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.

Comment posted on Wed Sep 24 20:48:39 2003 by Duckon:
     

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.

Comment posted on Wed Sep 24 22:36:45 2003 by Dr Herbert West:
     

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.

Comment posted on Wed Sep 24 18:03:44 2003 by Void:
     

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).

Comment posted on Wed Sep 24 13:43:29 2003 by Oddball Tourist:
     

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!

Comment posted on Wed Sep 24 09:30:02 2003 by Ingrid:
     

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?

Comment posted on Fri Apr 30 19:01:28 2004 by Sana:
     

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...

Comment posted on Thu Oct 23 11:42:28 2003 by Don! Boutwell:
     

I also consider myself a devoted mud player. I have tried almost 200 different mud's since 1998 and out of all of them, I think that Legend is the best. Interesting and entertaining theme, medium sized world, and a large population, make legend #1 in my book.

-DJ! Boutwell (a.k.a. Dak)

Comment posted on Tue Mar 23 10:21:06 2004 by Robert Wood:
     

I've been playing legend for a quite a while now, off and on such and such. My friend got me started on it and well, it's by far better than any game you could buy in a store or even possibly create on your own. There are few other games that can even compete with the level of detail and interaction the legend is capable of... and the theme of the story setting allows the game to expand to whatever it needs. All i have to say to the staff of legendmud and to all the people reading this is WOW!

-A.K.A Syphor