XPost: rec.games.mud.lp, rec.games.mud.misc, alt.mud.lp

END-OF-LINE
http://linkwarriors.ackmud.net/end_of_line


END-OF-LINE is a war game that can be played on the Internet. The game has
been available on the Internet since 1994. You can connect to it, with
a simple INTERFACE based on text, using TELNET e.g.

telnet linkwarriors.ackmud.net 4000
telnet 71.19.157.196 4000


Or you can connect to it, with a GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE, using FLASH TELNET i.e.

http://linkwarriors.ackmud.net/end_of_line/FlashTelnet.html


The game was originally based on, and named after, the film TRON, released by Walt Disney in 1982. But the game begins where the film ends. It is set in a fantastic world inhabited only by computer programs. The Blue Programs, who fight for the Users, have just managed to break the strangle hold on the
world, held by the Master Control Program (or MCP). But there are still
pockets of Red Programs, who fight for the MCP, resisting. The game is based
on the war between these two sides. You can choose which side to join, and
what role to play in each army.

There are two main roles: generals and troops. The generals manage troops and other resources. They transport the troops and resources between areas, and decide which areas should be attacked or defended. The troops fight individual battles. There are computer controlled generals and troops on both sides, as well as generals and troops controlled by normal players. These players can join and leave at their leisure.

The war takes place over a large grid called the FOUNDATION GRID. This GRID is made up of small, interconnected areas, where battles take place. Each half of the GRID is occupied by one-side, when the war begins, and is invisible to the other side. More areas become visible as each army advances further into the enemy's territory. Each victory secures an area for one side, and the ultimate goal is to capture the enemy's head-quarters. This is a special, heavily defended area within the enemy's territory.

There are many distinguishing features of the game. But probably one of the most important is that it operates on 3 levels of play, which interact with each other.

The first level revolves around how generals manage resources in a war. This involves a lot of strategy. This includes establishing supply routes between areas, allocating and transporting resources to defend or attack areas. This also includes co-operating with other generals to secure victory. This is like playing a game of chess. But it more closely resembles a game called X-BATTLE.

The second level revolves around commanding troops in a battle. Each general can choose to direct the troops of computer controlled characters deployed in
a battle. Or the player can let these troops attack at will. This again involves strategy. It involves studying the map of the area where the battle will occur, positioning the troops, deciding which troops should attack in a sortie, and which to hold in reserve. This is similar to playing a game like COMMAND AND CONQUER, from Westwood Studios. The difference is that some of the troops may be players, who can make their own decisions.

The third level revolves around fighting as one of the troops in a battle.
This is probably the most familiar, and therefore the easiest level, for those who have played other games involving combat before to get into. It involves more short term, tactical thinking. This includes selecting a weapon or role
to play in the fighting unit, selecting a target, communicating and co-operating with other members of your team. Since the generals controlled by the computer are always fighting battles, the troops do not have to wait for other generals, controlled by other players, to participate in the war. This role is similar to playing one of the popular combat games like QUAKE from ID software or UNREAL TOURNAMENT from EPIC games. But, unlike most of these
others games, you can view the map of each area where a battle takes place.
You can also see the position of all the players and equipment lying around on it. So there is no need to memorise areas. What is more, the areas change each time, and are randomly generated.

The game was developed from software used to build multiplayer adventure games on the Internet, known as Multi-User Dungeons (or MUDs). The predecessor of this game belonged to the class of games known as Player Killing Multi-User Dungeons (or PKMUDs). It only concentrated on fast, close combat between the characters of players. But this, like other combat games, lacked a command level which could co-ordinate the fighters. However, by being set in a war between two armies, each with a very simple hierarchy involving generals who can command the troops, the new game provides this command level.

But probably more importantly, the new game adds a level which allows players from the other end of the spectrum (i.e. role-players or those who do not want to fight) to participate. The generals are not required to be involved in
close combat with other characters.

It remains to be seen whether those who enjoy the combat of multi-user adventure games, and those who enjoy role-playing, will ever be reunited
again, as they were in the original MUD. Will they ever realise that, after all, they all love the same things? the same game? It may take something heroic. But look again! The scene is set, and your chariot awaits!

END-OF-LINE

http://linkwarriors.ackmud.net/end_of_line


You can seen screenshots from the game here,

http://linkwarriors.ackmud.net/end_of_line/Screenshots.html


some of the key innovations including

(1) Triple Display (displaying the game in text, 2D, and 3D)
(2) Multimedia (display items and characters with text and pictures)
(3) Open Commands (all commands available in a location or item visible
in its description or through the command 'commands')
(4) Custom Player Images (embed images in your custom description using
HTML)
(5) 3D graphics (along with text to describe locations)
(6) Hyperlinks (you can select names of items in the text and open up the
Web Page explaining that item)
(7) Web Pages (all the pages of the manual in the game are available on a
Web Page)
(8) 3D terrains (terrains are randomly generated and have multiple levels,
and the generals can also design custom bases)

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