Empire (online game)

Empire was a MUD, a text-based online role-playing game, founded in 1992 by Farhaj "Astafas" Hashmi and several associates. It received critical praise.

Empire
Developer(s)Farhaj "Astafas" Hashmi, project community
EngineDikuMUD
Platform(s)Platform independent
Release1992
Genre(s)Fantasy MUD
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Game characteristics

Empire was set in a medieval fantasy world; gameplay is primarily hack and slash. The MUD was noted as complex and unsuitable for beginners.[1][2]

Player character names and statistical information were not initially divulged to other players. This has been considered to foster an improved atmosphere for role-playing.[2] Player killing is unrestricted; though that was not the primary focus of the game, it was generally prominent in commentary.[1][2]

History

Empire was founded in 1992.[3] It apparently went offline in July 2010, its operations spanning 18 years.[4]

Reception

Empire received critical praise for using identity ambiguity and player versus player conflict to create a tense and exciting atmosphere, and for its pace of development.[2][1] It has been called "one of the best MUDs out there".[2]

Technical infrastructure

Empire was based on DikuMUD.[2]

References
  1. Carton, Sean (1995). Internet Virtual Worlds Quick Tour. Ventana Press. p. 152. ISBN 1-56604-222-4. Empire [...] When you step into Empire, you're entering a complex and dangerous world. [...] Choose carefully, though, because once you step into Empire you have to watch your back at every turn — Empire places no restrictions on player killing. [...] The faint-hearted might want to avoid this place, but if you're into a fast and furious game, Empire is probably for you.
  2. Towers, J. Tarin; Badertscher, Ken; Cunningham, Wayne; Buskirk, Laura (1996). Yahoo! Wild Web Rides. IDG Books Worldwide Inc. pp. 146–147. ISBN 0-7645-7003-X. Empire [...] [icon indicating 4 out of 4 rating] This little-known gem is one of the best MUDs out there. Those who enjoy roleplaying will appreciate the mysterious atmosphere that surrounds Empire's characters. Rather than have your name, level and class flapping in the breeze for everyone to see, on this MUD other players have only a vivid description of your choosing until you decide to introduce yourself by name. [...] And as the title screen of Empire will tell you, this MUD is not for the first-time player. It's not easy to succeed at this game, but it is quite rewarding when you do. [...] The diku code for this MUD is highly modified, and it seems like new things are being added every day. Empire features a player-run newspaper, several very large cities on two major continents, many wonderfully exciting (and constantly updated) zones for every level, and a working economy that changes as adventurers bring new gold into the cities. [...] Pkilling is allowed here, which, coupled with the custom descriptions instead of names, gives you a delicious suspicion of anyone you don't personally know. Sometimes the tension is so thick on the streets you could cut it with a knife. This is far from being an exclusively pkilling game, but it's got just the right touch of that perilous excitement. ¶ If at first you don't succeed on Empire, try, try again — and again. It's worth it! Your sweating palms and racing heart will thank you.
  3. "Empire". The Mud Connector. 2001-02-13. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
  4. "TMC: Connection Statistics". The Mud Connector. 2010-10-08. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
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