MUD Community checklist for MUDs

Verify that every new character receives an automated greeting that identifies active help channels and the location of the tutorial area.

Ensure a specific chat channel exists for new players where senior players are incentivized to answer questions without spoilers or elitism.

Implement a logging mechanism to see where new players drop off during the initial login or tutorial phase to identify technical friction.

Check that basic starting equipment is automatically provided or easily obtainable within the first 5 minutes of gameplay.

Provide a concise (under 500 words) summary of the current world state accessible via an in-game command for immediate context.

Publish a clear set of rules regarding harassment, hate speech, and multi-playing in a location accessible before character creation.

Establish a two-way relay between a Discord channel and an in-game 'gossip' or 'OOC' channel to maintain community engagement while offline.

Define and document how staff members should interact with players to avoid the appearance of favoritism or 'god-complex' behavior.

Ensure distinct channels or prefixes exist to separate in-character actions from out-of-character chatter to prevent immersion breaking.

Verify that players have the technical ability to self-moderate by ignoring specific users' chat and emotes.

Implement a formal schedule or rotation for volunteer builders and immortals to prevent burnout and ensure coverage across time zones.

Enable logging for all high-level administrative commands to ensure accountability and prevent abuse of power.

Create a clear set of requirements and a roadmap for players wishing to transition into volunteer staff or builder roles.

Establish a 'no-questions-asked' leave policy for volunteers to step away for 30 days without losing their rank or projects.

Maintain a secure area for admins to discuss sensitive player issues or technical development without public interference.

Audit donation rewards to ensure they offer cosmetic or convenience benefits (titles, custom descriptions) rather than combat stats.

Set up a system to grant minor cosmetic rewards or public announcements on a player's character anniversary date.

Provide a command (e.g., 'events') that lists upcoming staff-run or player-run social gatherings and quests.

Provide technical tools for players to form clans, guilds, or houses with shared storage and private chat channels.

Maintain a 'What has changed' document specifically for players returning after a multi-year hiatus.

Create a formal, off-game process (via email or web form) for players to appeal disciplinary actions.

Ensure no staff member handles a disciplinary case involving a player they interact with on a personal level or via an alt.

Document a clear progression of discipline (verbal warning, temporary mute, temporary ban, permanent ban) for minor offenses.

Require staff to save logs or screenshots of rule violations before taking permanent disciplinary action.

Commit to announcing all rule changes at least 7 days before enforcement begins to allow community adjustment.

Verify that every skill, spell, and game mechanic has a corresponding 'help' file that is accurate to the current code version.

Host or support a community wiki for deep lore, maps, and player-contributed guides that are too long for in-game text.

Maintain a chronological log of all code and area changes accessible via an in-game 'changes' command.

Document the history of major world changes and 'cataclysms' to provide continuity for long-term roleplayers.

Provide a list of common command aliases to help players transitioning from other MUD codebases (e.g., Diku vs. LP).