RPGServ: World of WarCraft in Words?
Those familiar with IRC (Internet Relay Chat - and if you're reading this, you probably are) will know that there's a not-too-small subset of chatters who get online for the gaming - yes, that's right: people actually use a text-based chat service for, not discussions about gaming (though there's that too), but actually for gaming.
How does this work? Well, people use their IRC handles to represent various characters, the game creators/admins designate different channels to mean different in-game locations, and provide a context and story. Put two and two together, and you've got the basic setup for a role-playing game (RPG).
One of the hubs for RPG gaming is DarkMyst IRC, which has had many channels dedicated to RPG gaming for a long time. Like most other IRC servers, DarkMyst runs Atheme software to provide a platform for the necessary IRC services: NickServ, ChanServ, etc. However, Atheme also includes a module entirely for RPG gaming: RPGServ, also previously much developed at DarkMyst.
Currently, RPGServ provides for basic game management facilities only, but we're now expanding it to include a lot more in the way of gaming with features like:
Individual character management (with switching)
More character development (incl. attributes, back-stories, skills, leveling, etc.)
Rank-based game management (with Founders, Administrators and Moderators responsible for different parts of the game and/or channels)
And more (secret!) features.
All these features are integrated directly into the Atheme framework to provide for a holistic gaming experience, and one that seamlessly interfaces between 'normal' IRC chatting and RPG gaming.
RPGServ is currently beta testing, with all the features completed or nearing finalization, and we hope to implement it soon at DarkMyst IRC Network.
