MicroMUSE

1990 video game

Released: 1990
Platforms: cross-platform
Genres: MUD MUDs
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Modes: Multiplayer
Engine: TinyMUSE

About

MicroMUSE is a MUD started in 1990. It is based on the TinyMUSE system, which allows members to interact in a virtual environment called Cyberion City, as well as to create objects and modify their environment. MicroMUSE was conceived as an environment to allow people in far-flung locations to interact with each other, particularly college students with Internet access. A core group of users remain active.

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Development

MicroMUSE was founded as MicroMUSH by the user known as "Jin" in the summer of 1990 at California State University, Fresno. Based upon TinyMUSH, MicroMUSH was centered around Cyberion City, a space station orbiting Earth of the 24th century. The initial MicroMUSH database was largely due to the efforts of Jin and the Wizards who went by the online aliases "Trout_Complex", "Coyote", "Opera_Ghost", "Snooze", "Lord_Soth", "Erk", "Wai", "Star" and "Mama.Bear". Larry "Leet" Foard and "Bard" (later known as "Michael") were, along with Jin, the primary programmers. Other key leaders that handled administration included Moulton and Ender, who provided guidance to Jin on strategic direction.

The focus, at the time, primarily was communication and creativity. Users were encouraged to build "objects" and were given extensive leeway to create and communicate with other members. At times, it could be compared to a high-tech version of the wild west.