TinyMUCK or, more broadly, a MUCK, is a type of user-extendable online text-based role-playing game

Online text-based role-playing game

An online text-based role playing game is a role-playing game played online using a solely text-based interface. Online text-based role playing games date to 1978, with the creation of MUD1, which began the MUD heritage that culminates in today's MMORPGs...

, designed for role playing

Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...

 and social interaction. Backronym

Backronym

A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....

s like "Multi-User Chat/Created/Computer/Character/Carnal Kingdom" and "Multi-User Construction Kit" are sometimes cited, but are not the actual origin of the term; "muck" is simply a play on the term MUD

MUD

A MUD , pronounced , is a multiplayer real-time virtual world, with the term usually referring to text-based instances of these. MUDs combine elements of role-playing games, hack and slash, player versus player, interactive fiction, and online chat...

.

History

• The original TinyMUCK 1.0 server was written by Stephen White from University of Waterloo
  University of Waterloo
  The University of Waterloo is a comprehensive public university in the city of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The school was founded in 1957 by Drs. Gerry Hagey and Ira G. Needles, and has since grown to an institution of more than 30,000 students, faculty, and staff...
  
   in winter of 1990, based on TinyMUD
  TinyMUD
  TinyMUD is the name of a MUD server codebase, and the first MUD running that codebase. The MUD itself has subsequently come to be known as "TinyMUD Classic" or simply "Classic", or occasionally "DaisyMUD"...
  
   1.5.2 codebase. This version introduced building capabilities for the users..
• TinyMUCK 2.0 was released in June 1990 by Piaw "Lachesis" Na from Berkeley
  University of California, Berkeley
  The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
  
  , who added the programming language MUF
  MUF (programming language)
  MUF is a Forth-based programming language used on TinyMUCK MUCK servers and their descendants, including Fuzzball MUCK, ProtoMUCK and GlowMUCK.MUF is the system programming language for TinyMUCK systems...
  
   for in-game server extensions.
• TinyMUCK 2.1 and 2.2 were released in July 1990 and April 1991 by Robert "ChupChup" Earl of San Diego, California
  San Diego, California
  San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
  
  . These were mostly bugfix releases as the code was cleaned up and ported to new operating systems and architectures.
• FuzzBall MUCK server was built on TinyMUCK 2.2 codebase by Belfry Webworks and, as of version 5, released in 1995, includes the alternative programming language MPI
  Message Parsing Interpreter
  The Message Parsing Interpreter is a Lisp-like programming language based on text replacement that is used on Fuzzball MUCK servers, starting with version 2.2fb5.00...
  
  . version 6, available at SourceForge project fbmuck also supports MCP
  MUD client
  A MUD client is a computer application used to connect to a MUD, a type of multiplayer online game. Generally, a MUD client is a very basic telnet client that lacks VT100 terminal emulation and the capability to perform telnet negotiations...
  
   and MCP-GUI.

Characteristics

MUCKs are extensible by design, players can create and modify ("build") all internal objects of the game environment, including rooms, exits, and even the system commands, for which the MUCKs use the MUF

MUF (programming language)

MUF is a Forth-based programming language used on TinyMUCK MUCK servers and their descendants, including Fuzzball MUCK, ProtoMUCK and GlowMUCK.MUF is the system programming language for TinyMUCK systems...

 (Multi-User Forth) language. Fuzzball MUCKs also use Message Parsing Interpreter

Message Parsing Interpreter

The Message Parsing Interpreter is a Lisp-like programming language based on text replacement that is used on Fuzzball MUCK servers, starting with version 2.2fb5.00...

 (MPI) which can be used to embed executable code into descriptions of all in-game objects. Unlike many other virtual worlds, however, TinyMUCK and its descendents do not usually have computer-controlled monsters for players to kill.

Usage

TinyMUCKs are popular among members of Furry fandom

Furry fandom

Furry fandom is a fandom for fictional anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics. Examples of anthropomorphic attributes include exhibiting human intelligence and facial expressions, the ability to speak, walk on two legs, and wear clothes...

; examples of active, large TinyMUCKs include FurryMUCK

FurryMUCK

FurryMUCK is one of the oldest and largest non-combat MUD-style games in existence. It was founded in 1990 as an online gathering place for furry fans to meet and socialize in a virtual role-playing environment...

and Tapestries MUCK

Tapestries MUCK

Tapestries MUCK is an adults-only social and roleplaying MUCK popular within the furry fandom. The overall theme of the game is a world of anthropomorphic animal characters who may participate in BDSM and sex freely in the public areas of the game world...

, both of which run the Fuzzball version of MUCK server code.

External links

• MUCK Manual Version 1.0 at The MUCK Information Kiosk
• FuzzBall Software