Writing Games
A site dedicated to the culture and craft of text-based games: interviews, guides, essays, and practical, experience-driven advice, with a particular focus on accessibility and inclusivity.
Andruid
she/her
Writer. Roleplayer. Storyteller. Nerd.
Trying to live by Bill and Ted wisdom: "Be excellent to each other." 🎸
look andruid
Hi, I'm Andruid. I've been writing games, writing for games, and playing writing-based games since the early days of the internet: AOL chatroom roleplay, IRC, play-by-post, multi-user (MU*) games, interactive fiction, and virtual tabletop sessions. Along the way I've been a player, contributor, moderator, builder, admin, and occasional developer.
I work in tech by day. The rest of the time, I design, build, and think about how text-based games and the communities around them can be more welcoming, sustainable, and rewarding.
inventory
Text-based Game Resources
Guides, codebases, clients, and references for those interested in playing or creating multi-user (MU*) text games and interactive fiction games.
Screen Reader Preview
An open-source tool for previewing how text sounds when spoken aloud, helping authors make text games friendlier for screen reader users.
Something new
A text-based game of my own, currently in development. More on that when it's ready.
score
- Years in text-based games
- 30+
- Articles published
- 84
- Creators and players interviewed
- 29
read board
State of the Niche 2026
Results from the 2026 State of the Niche Survey, focused on multi-user (MU*) text games.
Accessibility in a changing MU* landscape
Long-time MU* enthusiast Brandon Cross talks about how far the hobby has come, and about the accessibility hurdles that still remain.
Too many MUDs, not enough players?
Everyone's heard it. But is it true, and does it mean a new MUD is a lost cause? My two cents.
Beginner's Guide to Multi-User Dungeons
An introduction to MU* games for new players: what they are, how they work, and how to get started.
press
Writing Games press releases are published in the media room on Press Ranger.