[MUD-Dev] Respecting NPCs

[Bruce Mitchener]

J C Lawrence wrote:

> I view NPCs as falling into four roles:
 
>   0) Backdrop
>   1) Targets
>   2) player props
>   3) Mechanical translation points (*)

> I like a fifth category:
 
>   4) Incidental outgrowth
 
> Its really a variation on backdrop, except that they occupy a
> critical but incidental role in the game and world definition, as
> well as player activity.  In the commercial realm Skotos has
> possibly made the largest stab in this direction.  In the hobbyest
> world Island did a lot (that was almost compleatly unrecognised),
> as did LambdaMOO and a few other mediate derived/centric games.

This paragraph confused me somewhat.  I haven't played the games
that Skotos has written, nor have I played on Island.  But I did
"play" for some time on LambdaMOO about 8 years ago or so, but I
don't really recall any NPCs (except for the parrot in the living
room).

So, I was hoping that you could take a moment to expand on the above
and explain the references that you're making and what Skotos,
Island and LambdaMOO have done in the area. :)

Thanks!

  - Bruce

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