[AD] END-OF-LINE LPmud

            END-OF-LINE
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END-OF-LINE is based on the film TRON. But it begins where the film
ends. The Blue programs have just managed to break the MCP's strangle hold,
but there are still pockets of Red programs resisting. The MUD 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 resources, transport them between areas, and decide which areas should
be attacked. The troops fight individual battles. There are NPC generals
and troops on both sides, as well as interactive generals and troops. 
These players can join and leave at their leisure.

The war takes place over a large area called the FOUNDATION GRID. Each half
of this grid is commanded by one-side, when the war begins, and is invisible
to the other side. More areas become visible as each army moves its troops
around to occupy them. Each victory secures an area for one side, and the
ultimate goal is to capture the enemy HQ, which is a special area within
the two territories.

There are many distinguishing things about the MUD, but probably one of
the most important is that it operates on 3 levels of play, which interact
with each other.

    Level 1 - playing a general managing resources in a war.

              This involves a lot of strategy, managing supply routes,
              allocating resources to defend or attack areas, and
              co-operating with other generals to secure victory.
              This is like playing chess, but more closely resembles
              X-battle. (http://cns-web.bu.edu/pub/xpip/html/xbattle.html)

    Level 2 - commanding troops in a battle.

              Each general can choose to interactively control the
              NPC troops deployed in a battle (or let them attack
              at will). This again involves strategy, studying the map,
              positioning troops, deciding which troops should attack in
              a sortie, and which to hold in reserve. This is like playing
              a game like Command and Conquer, from Westwood Studios
              (http://westwood.ea.com/games/ccuniverse/tiberiandawn/   
              index.html). Except some of the troops
              are interactive players.

    Level 3 - fighting as a trooper in a battle.

              This is probably the most familiar, and therefore the
              easiest level for those who have played MUDs before to
              get into. It involves more short term, tactical thinking,
              selecting a weapon/role to play in the fighting unit,
              selecting targets, communicating and co-operating with
              your team. This is like playing a PK (player killer) MUD
              or a shoot-em up like DOOM, from ID software
              (http://www.idsoftware.com/archives/doomarc.html).

              You can study the map of each battle scene, on-line,
              so there is no need to memorise areas.

The original game was an out-n-out PKmud but this, like other PKmuds,
lacked a command level which could co-ordinate the fighters. The addition
of generals, and the large scale war format, hopefully provides a
catalyst for a command level. But probably more importantly, it
adds a level which allows players from the other end of the MUD spectrum
(i.e. role-players or non-PKers) to participate. The generals are not
required to PK.

It remains to be seen whether PKers and role-players will ever be reunited
again, as they were in the original MUD. Will we ever realise that, after
all, we 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
            telnet linkwarriors.wilkerstaff.com 4000
            telnet 208.233.223.2 4000