# What's the difference between a MMORPG and a MUD? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 20, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-mmorpg-and-a-mud/478102 "2008-12-20T19:14:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-mmorpg-and-a-mud/478102/1 "2008-12-20T19:14:38Z")
Other than the older MUDs where usually text based rather than having real-time graphics? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-mmorpg-and-a-mud/478102/2 "2008-12-20T20:19:04Z")
It really is just a matter of degree. Both tend to follow the same sorts of gameplay (turn-based or tick-based combat, experience, leveling up, equipment, skills), with some variations of course. However, MUDs are text-based, built by volunteers (I’ve never heard of a commercial MUD; closest I’ve seen is one that runs on donations), and usually has few players (it was and is _rare_ to have more than 100, even before MMOs hit the spotlight). They’re usually free to play. MMORPGs are graphical, usually built by companies although there are quite a few volunteer efforts out there these days, and usually have a lot of players, generally in the thousands and going up. They’re usually subscription-based. Looking at it cynically, MUDs are created as a hobby and MMORPGs are created for profit (with exceptions, as always). But gameplay wise? There’s really not that much difference.