MDG

NAME

mdg — Multi-user Dungeon Game

DESCRIPTION

mdg is a multi-user adventure game similar to rogue/larn. Since it uses UNIX System V IPC (interprocess communication), it is not a network based game. Instead, users first login to the UNIX system and run the game from their terminal sessions. The goal of mdg is to work co-operatively or singly to obtain as much gold and Magic Crystals as possible. Its important to slowly build a new character, as it is easy to get killed. You can use the external command mdg_char to study spells, buy lives, change your name and alignment. Time in the dungeon is based on an accelerated day which can affect the atmosphere of the world.

HOW TO RUN THE GAME

mdg

This is the command for a user to join the game. To quit the game, the user must either cast the spell quit or walk to the 'HOME' area of the start sector.

mdg_char

This command allows a user to edit their character. You can use this to practise spells, buy armor, weapons and such.

mdg_daemon

This is the master daemon which must be running to start the game. Any user can run this process to get the game started.

mdg_save

This causes the game's current state to be saved.

mdg_stop

This command stops the game and saves it state.

THE GAME DISPLAY

Players of mdg are identified by a number (1-9), there by making the maxium number of players, 9. Symbols in the game are as follows:

[*] these are usually hidden, but can be detected.

The display layout has 6 regions:

          ------------------------------------
         |                  |  inventory      |
         |                  |                 |
         |    dungeon       |                 |
         |       display    |                 |
         |                  |  game notices   |
         |                  |  and messages   |
         |                  |                 |
         |__________________|  player stats   |
         | area description                   |
         |                                    |
         |     players in the current area    |
         |                                    | 
          ------------------------------------

The display is pretty much self explainatory, but for those who don't normally play RPG, the player stats might be a bit confusing:

HP

hit points - the number of times your player can sustain attack damage points

Armor

armor - how well you can protect yourself against monster/player attacks

Magic

AKA mana - magic points used for casting spells

CP

Crystal Power - used for god like actions

Lives

How many times you can die before you are really dead

Modes

Used to show active spells

In the player's list at the bottom of the display, there are tokens which represent player alignment:

MOVEMENT AND COMMANDS WITHIN THE GAME

Movement of your character from within the game is done by either using vi(1) editor keys or your keyboard number pad:

               y k u               7 8 9
                \|/                 \|/
               h- -l               4- -6
                /|\                 /|\
               b j n               1 2 3

ACTION COMMANDS

SPELL CASTING SHORT CUTS

CREATING MAPS FOR MDG

Creating new areas for MDG is really quite easy and is possible two ways. First, you obtain God Power by collecting Magic Crystals from the monsters in the dungeon. This will allow you to alter certain areas. Second, you can submit your own ASCII maps that adhear to the following standard:

[*] these are ways to create secret paths.

AUTHOR

©1990 John C. Gonnerman

PORT TO NetBSD, CUSTOMISATION AND DOCUMENTATION 2003

Corey Carroll ([email protected])
Stephen Jones ([email protected])