The Language of Virtual Worlds (PDF)

HANDOUTS “THE LANGUAGE OF VIRTUAL WORLDS : COMMUNICATION BEYOND WORDS IN MULTI-USER DUNGEONS” THE LANGUAGE OF VIRTUAL WORLDS The language of virtual worlds encompasses communication methods like avatars, symbols, chat, and interface interactions, as well as evolving social norms within digital en...

HANDOUTS “THE LANGUAGE OF VIRTUAL WORLDS : COMMUNICATION BEYOND WORDS IN MULTI-USER DUNGEONS” THE LANGUAGE OF VIRTUAL WORLDS The language of virtual worlds encompasses communication methods like avatars, symbols, chat, and interface interactions, as well as evolving social norms within digital environments. These elements form a distinct "language" that users employ to navigate, interact, and express themselves in virtual spaces. MULTI-USER DUNGEONS (MUD) A Multi-User Dungeon (MUD) is a text-based multiplayer online game that blends role-playing, interactive fiction, and social interaction, where players navigate virtual worlds and interact through text communication. Virtual Worlds and MUDs Unlike emails, chatgroups, and other web-based platforms that center on real-world topics, MUDs revolve around purely fictional characters, environments, and events. Communication within MUDs is focused on these virtual spaces, where players take on imaginary personas and navigate interactive communication in text-based environments. MUDs provide immersive, imaginary environments for social interaction and gaming. ○ MUDs create engaging online spaces where players can explore and interact, merging gaming with social experiences. MUDs evolved from fantasy-based games to include diverse themes like horror, science fiction, and historical settings. ○ Initially focused on fantasy, MUDs add various genres in order to attract a wider audience. Players in MUDs create characters, embark on adventures, and engage in collaborative role-playing activities.  ○ Players develop unique avatars and participate in storytelling and cooperative quests, enhancing the gameplay experience. Evolution and Types of MUDs Over time, MUDs evolved beyond the dungeon-and-dragon fantasy archetype, broadening into other genres like horror, science fiction, and social environments. Variants like LPMUDs, TinyMUDs, and DikuMUDs introduced deeper customization, social interaction, and character development. Did I mention dungeons and dragons right? "MUDs and Dungeons & Dragons have similarities. In both games, a group of players, led by a 'Game Master'. The Game Master sets the scene, obstacles, and abilities, while each player creates and customizes their character. Together, they embark on thrilling adventures exploring classic themes like treasure hunts, battles between good and evil, and rescues." LPMUD (LambdaMOO): A type of MUD that incorporates object-oriented programming, allowing players to create and modify objects within the game, enhancing interactivity and customization. TinyMUD: It is a type of MUD designed for social interaction and role-playing, focusing more on player-created content and storytelling rather than combat and quests. DikuMUD: A MUD that emphasizes adventure and combat, originally developed from a Danish university project, featuring structured gameplay and character development mechanics. MOOs and Object-Oriented Environments: MOOs introduced object-oriented programming, allowing players to create and manipulate objects within virtual worlds. ○ MOOs enable players to design interactive elements, making the virtual environment more dynamic and personalized. MOOs fostered social interactions, educational simulations, and group collaborations, contributing to a diverse range of experiences. ○ These platforms support various activities beyond gaming, including education and teamwork, enriching user engagement. Player Interaction and Role-Playing In MUDs, players create characters with specific traits, abilities, and backstories, deeply engaging in the role-playing elements of the game. This character development not only enriches the narrative experience through quests and interactions but also fosters creativity and collaboration among players, enhancing the sense of community as they craft stories and scenarios together. Social Norms and Etiquette MUDs operate under a set of social norms and etiquette that players are expected to follow rules. Rules against spamming, eavesdropping, and other disruptive behaviors help maintain a respectful and enjoyable environment. Players often develop conventions for turn-taking and dialogue management, facilitating smoother interactions and ensuring that everyone has a voice in conversations. This social framework promotes cooperation and enhances the overall gaming experience. For the additional information, the emergence of MUDs and MOOs brought about a new lexicon, reflecting the unique social dynamics and activities within these virtual environments. Key terms: - MUDder/MUDster: A participant in a MUD. - MOOer/MOOster: A participant in a MOO. - Character/Avatar: The on-screen persona created by a player. - Morph: An alternative character that a player can switch to. - Typist: The off-screen human controller of a character. - Wizard: A system administrator who moderates the MUD. - OOC (Out-of-Character): When a player interacts outside of their character's persona. - MOOicide: The act of a character committing suicide within a MOO. - Newted: A player who is temporarily prevented from using their character. - Toaded: A player whose character is limited in capabilities or excluded from the MUD. - Gag: A command that makes a player's messages invisible to a specific user. COMMUNICATIONS IN MUD MUD Discourse and Communication This topic is about how people communicate in Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs), which are text-based role-playing games where players interact using written  commands. MUDs combine real-time chat with role-playing, creating a mix of actions, conversation, and storytelling. Understanding Communication in Multi-User Dungeons This focuses on understanding how communication works in MUDs. Players use both character interactions and text-based commands. In MUDs, players don't just talk; they also perform actions, interact with the game world, and help shape an ongoing story Introduction to MUD Discourse Communication in MUDs vs. Chat Groups Communication in MUDs is different from regular chat groups because it involves more than just real-time conversations. In MUDs, players type commands to control their characters, mixing role-play with dialogue. This creates a more dynamic and layered interactioncompared to typical chat groups, which focus only on exchanging messages. Features Unique to MUDs MUDs have persistent worlds that continue even when players log out. Unlike chat rooms, MUDs stay active. Players use commands for both dialogue and actions, blending conversation and role-play to mimic real-life interactions. Focus: Saying and Emoting In MUDs, communication involves "saying" for character speech and "emoting" for expressing actions or emotions. These are essential for player interaction and role-play. Modes of Communication Saying The "say" command in MUDs allows characters to directly communicate with others. For example, typing `>say hello` appears as *"Langman says 'hello'."*  This ties the dialogue to the character and integrates it into the game's narrative, enhancing the role-playing experience. Emoting (or Pose) Emoting in MUDs lets players describe their character's actions or feelings. For example, typing `>emote salute` shows *"Langman salutes."* Unlike saying, emoting conveys gestures and emotions, adding depth to interactions and enhancing the role-playing experience in the virtual world. Emotes Examples Typical Emotes In MUDs, emotes convey both subtle and significant actions. For example, typing `>look puzzled` shows *"Langman looks puzzled,"* while `>pick up the journal` displays *"Langman picks up the journal."* These emotes enable players to engage with the virtual world more organically, describing actions and feelings in real-time for a richer, immersive experience. Common Verbs In MUDs, verbs like smile, laugh, wave, and grin are used to express actions or emotions quickly. For instance, typing `>grin` shows *"Langman grins,"* conveying amusement. These common verbs enable fluid, natural interactions, making communication in MUDs dynamic and varied.. Unique Features of Emotes Literary Flavour: Stream-of-Consciousness Narrative Emotes in MUDs often adopt a literary style, especially when players create detailed, introspective descriptions of their character's thoughts or actions. For example, "Ray can’t remember, Ray could swear..." mimics stream-of-consciousness writing, offering a narrative quality to what is usually a direct statement. This technique allows players to immerse themselves and others in their character’s internal monologue or mental state, creating a more novelistic feel. Such emotes move beyond mere description of action, contributing to the depth of role-playing by incorporating narrative elements typically seen in written fiction. Idiosyncratic Word-Formation MUDs often give rise to unique, idiosyncratic word formations that players invent  to suit their characters or the game environment. For example, Largo hehs means the character Largo says "heh" to indicate a chuckle or dry amusement, while Jon acks signifies Jon acknowledging something, and Anthony ohboys expresses surprise or excitement. These shorthand expressions are highly personalized and contribute to a distinct in-game culture, reflecting how players adapt language creatively within the boundaries of the MUD system. Such word formations help establish in-group identity and foster a sense of belonging among regular players. Discourse Conventions in MUDs Multiple Conversations and Timing Anomalies In MUDs, players often find themselves managing multiple conversations at once, leading to timing anomalies where different threads overlap. It’s common for players to miss or misinterpret messages when multiple people speak or emote simultaneously. This creates a unique challenge as participants must stay alert to various interactions and piece together fragmented dialogue. Since MUDs don't follow the rigid timing of real-world conversations, the asynchronous nature can sometimes result in confusion, adding an extra layer of complexity to understanding the flow of communication. Turn-Taking Strategies To manage this complexity, MUDs often adopt structured turn-taking strategies. In some games, a moderator might control the queue, dictating who gets to speak next. Other systems use informal signals, like typing "done" or raising a virtual hand, to indicate that a player has finished their message or is ready to take a turn. These mechanisms help keep the conversation organized, especially when many players are involved at once, allowing for a more orderly exchange of ideas and preventing chaotic overlap in discussions or actions. Example of Losing Routine A good example of discourse conventions in MUDs can be seen in overlapping conversations, where one player’s input might get lost in the thread. For instance, if Langman asks a question about a Chomsky book, and Prof answers "Aspects of the Theory of Syntax," but Doc simultaneously responds with a separate remark, such as "Aspects of loses," it can lead to miscommunication or amusing dialogue interruptions. This kind of conversational glitch reflects how players must manage multiple interactions while remaining engaged in complex, multi-layered discussions. Person Shift and Style  Person Shift In MUDs, players often shift between first and second person in direct speech (e.g., "I say," "you listen") and third person in emoting (e.g., "Langman salutes"). This dynamic alternation reflects the dual nature of MUD communication, where players both inhabit their characters and describe their actions. The use of third person emotes distances the player from the action slightly, giving the communication a more narrative feel, while first and second person speech brings immediacy and direct engagement, similar to a face-to-face conversation. Contrast with Computer-Generated Messages MUD-generated messages tend to be more formal and structured compared to the creative, colloquial language used by players. While a player might say "Jon waves Sandy," the system-generated equivalent might be more formal and include full grammatical structure, such as "The server processes your action." This distinction highlights the contrast between the system's standardized outputs and the players' more spontaneous, individualized expressions, emphasizing the player’s creativity and control over the communication style in MUDs. Variability and Economy of Expression Differences in Message Length MUDs exhibit variability in message length depending on the player or situation. For instance, in the MUD "Gloria," messages are short, averaging around 4.75 words per line, reflecting a concise, efficient communication style. On the other hand, in MUDs like "Black Rose" or "Classic Fiasco," players might prefer longer, more discursive messages, crafting elaborate descriptions or detailed dialogue. This variability allows players to tailor their communication to the context, whether they're engaging in rapid back-and-forth exchanges or building more immersive, narrative-heavy interactions. Economy of Typing In the fast-paced environment of MUDs, players often omit non-essential words to speed up typing. For instance, a player might type "Jon waves Sandy" instead of "Jon waves to Sandy" or "Mike happy" instead of "Mike is happy." This shorthand approach prioritizes speed and efficiency, especially during action-heavy or quick-paced interactions. Although this results in grammatically incomplete sentences, it’s an accepted norm in MUDs, where brevity allows for faster, more efficient communication without sacrificing clarity. Language Play and Evolution  Language Play MUDs are known for fostering a playful approach to language, where players use symbols like ASCII art, smiley faces, or even create entire sequences of text to convey emotions or humor. Null-emotes, where players intentionally misuse remote commands, are a common form of language play, often used for comedic effect. For example, a player might type an emote that doesn’t describe a real action but is instead a humorous comment, like ">emote flies away" in a situation where flying is impossible. This creative misuse of language is part of the fun, allowing players to subvert the system's rules for amusement. Variability and Identity Each MUD develops its own linguistic culture, including unique jargon, slang, and even historically evolving commands that reflect the game’s community and history. Over time, MUDs may see the development of group-specific language, further solidifying the players' identity within the game. These linguistic innovations not only make communication more efficient but also help form social bonds, as the in-group language becomes a marker of belonging. The ever-evolving nature of MUD language demonstrates how virtual communities contribute to linguistic change and innovation in real-time. Conclusion In summary, the language of MUDs is a complex, ever-evolving mixture of styles that serves multiple functions. It reflects not only the practical needs of communication in an interactive environment but also the creative expression of players. The context and identity of each player and group heavily influence how language is used, with communication constantly adapting to the demands of the game and the community. MUDs offer a rich site for observing how language evolves, as players blend dialogue, action, and narrative into a unique discourse that reflects both individuality and group cohesion. AN EVOLVING WORLD An evolving world, with the technologies we have today, not everything is consistent; devices and programming are changing, and becoming more advanced tech. Anything can happen in MUD. Well, not literally. This is computer based programming, where you can interact with others. usually text-based or storyboarded. MUDs combine elements of role-playing games, hack and slash, player versus player, interactive fiction, and online chat. Players can read or view descriptions of rooms, objects, other players, and non-player characters, and perform actions in the virtual world that are typically also described People can be killed and become alive again, objects can change size, shape, and color, time-travel and teleportation are normal. The death is not permanent, while you can get "killed" in a MUD, it generally refers to your character dying temporarily within the game, leading to some penalties but allowing you to continue playing. The use of role-play further distances MUD interactions from reality. Players in MUDs often create characters with attributes, abilities, and backstories that differ significantly from their real lives. This role-playing element allows them to step into completely fictional roles, such as warriors, wizards, or other fantastical beings. Virtual worlds become less textual and more graphic, they will become more like real life. Graphical virtual worlds use detailed visual representations of environments, characters, and objects. High-definition graphics, realistic textures, and three-dimensional modeling make virtual environments appear more life-like, mimicking the visual aspects of the real world. Asynchronous interaction and e-mailing already exists in some sites. The language of virtual worlds can be challenging to study for several reasons, as it combines elements from natural languages, specialized jargon, online slang, and emerging communication forms that evolve within digital environments. The language of the virtual world is difficult to study. The language of virtual worlds can be challenging to study for several reasons, as it combines elements from natural languages, specialized jargon, online slang, and emerging communication forms that evolve within digital environments. The study of Netspeak conversations. Focuses on understanding the unique language patterns, grammar, and communication strategies that emerge in online environments, particularly in text-based digital communication. "Netspeak" refers to the distinctive form of language used in online contexts such as social media, chat rooms, instant messaging, and gaming communities. MUD players see themselves as belonging to virtual communities. MUDs are typically goal-oriented, requiring players to collaborate on quests, challenges, or battles. The shared pursuit of objectives, such as defeating enemies, completing storylines, or leveling up characters, encourages cooperation and the development of trust among players. Advanced conversational English. Fluent speakers of advanced English can express their thoughts smoothly and coherently without frequent pauses or hesitation. They can follow the flow of conversation, ask questions, and respond appropriately. Private data may be impersonal, and personal data may be totally public. Private data refers to information that is typically restricted or confidential and not meant to be widely accessible. However, this data is not always personal in nature. It can include information like corporate financial records, anonymous usage statistics, or internal processes of a company. Player/character distinction The player/character distinction refers to the difference between the person playing a game and the character they control within that game. This distinction is significant in various gaming contexts, especially in role-playing games (RPGs) and multi-user dungeons (MUDs). Here’s a breakdown of the key elements involved: Internet evolution The evolution of the internet has transformed how we communicate, share information, and interact with the world. The evolution of the internet is marked by significant technological advancements, shifts in user behavior, and changes in societal impact. As it continues to evolve, the internet will likely play an even more integral role in our daily lives, influencing how we interact, work, and communicate. People adapt a new medium to meet their interests and needs. The internet has continuously evolved as people adapt it to their interests and needs. This dynamic relationship highlights the flexibility of the medium and its capacity to shape and respond to human behavior, ultimately enhancing how we communicate, learn, and connect in an increasingly digital world.