Most newcomers find it useful to lurk for a while until the conventions of purely textual communication become clear. MUDs are built around an endless variety of themes. Some are based on characters and settings in a specific novel or movie, while others center on a particular language and culture. A few MUDs are simply comfortable virtual spaces in which you can interact. Vivid descriptions of the areas, objects, and individuals that users encounter enhance the players' imaginations.
Several commands provide access to a wide variety of actions, emotions, and speech techniques.
Depending upon the theme of a MUD, a player might fight a battle in medieval Europe, have a drink in an intergalactic bar, or debate research results with a fellow astronomer. The server software keeps the game running. It monitors players' progress and gives the appropriate responses to players' actions. The client software that you run on your Internet account connects you to the server. There are some advanced clients that not only allow connection, but also have some extra features, such as word wrapping for long strings of text.