Zugg Software :: View topic

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 7:01 am

I chose: As an existing zMUD user, I would buy zMUDXP for half-price ($15)

Why did I choose this?

Something about myself, I'm working in the software industry myself, also involved in release-management. Therefore I realise that, codewise and spent effort, would justify a new product, unless it's totally new!
When I'd tell clients to buy an upgrading license when we (the company I work) would release a totally new version, they will leave massively (based on a survey/interview amongst most clients) and use a different product.
But.. now we've tossed out the current client (Progress) and will go web-based. Only the processes will remain. A different technique, same database type, totally different interface. And for this the clients are willing to upgrade. We also give them a big discount when upgrading.

So, only a huge change would be worth for me to upgrade for half price. And for me there isn't a new aspect of zMUDXP that would convince me for upgrading.

For example: toss out all you know now and think about vision. Mine would be: create a client that supports graphic navigation etc. The MUD I play in is more dead than alive, just because there are more and more graphic MMPOGs. And zMUD doesn't have an answer for that! :)
So, wouldn't it be awesome to create your own world/extensions to your favorite MUD in graphics? Include a world-builder engine. On the MUD I play, we have our own Areacreator (http://mud.nu), made in Java. It really speeds up areabuilding.

Think like creating maps for Battlefield!

Anyway, I'll post more in the suggestions-thread.

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 4:29 pm

I guarentee that everyone will agree that zMUDXP (or whatever it gets called) will be completely different than zMUD in *many* ways, and that these changes will all improve MUDding. Once people see how different zMUDXP is they will wonder how they ever played without it. It is almost as big as the difference between zMUD itself and regular telnet. How's that for a teaser ;)

As far as timescale and more details, I'm not saying anything yet. I've done too much hyping of new products in the past and then gotten burned when they took longer than I expected.

Originally, I wasn't going to replace eLicense until I did zMUDXP. But I decided to give existing zMUD users a break and replace eLicense in all of my products sooner rather than later. This conversion took longer than I thought because I had to create an entire ecommerce and shopping cart system myself. Now that the conversion to the new copy protection system is complete, I'm working directly on zMUDXP now.

But zMUDXP has evolved from my original idea. At the beginning of this thread I was just planning to fix a few things and call it zMUDXP. Then I decided to write zMUDXP using zApp. And now the entire MUD interface that I'm planning has completely changed (for the better). So it's become a much bigger project that I originally thought and will take longer to release. But I'm still committed to getting it out this fall.

But I'm not going to talk about specific features yet. I'm walking a fine line between getting feedback from zMUD users and talking about new features too soon. And I don't want to over-hype it yet. I want to wait until I have something real and concrete for people to use and comment on. You'll see an extended Beta testing period for zMUDXP when people can comment on the specific interface and make suggestions for improving it.

On your specific request, doing an AreaCreator is not feasible. zMUD needs to work with ALL different types of MUDs, MUSHes, MOOs, etc. I can't give preference to any particular MUD code base or pick any specific world-builder format...all MUDs are different. However, zMUDXP will have a completely different plugin system that will allow *much* greater flexibility and function in plugins, so it's very possible that particular MUDs will be able to easily write plugins to support their own area building formats.

Apprentice Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 195

Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2002 Posts: 105

While the poll is closed, I'd like to say, that I do recommend zmud to many of my friends (though only gotten 4 to purchase so far, most mudders seem to be cheap :P), I would definatly find paying for a new version of zMud, the program I've used for years now, would be no problem. I continually pay for other programs such as norton anti-virus, and other such programs. Mac users have to buy each new release. Be glad we got so much for free so far :P. Though I wouldn't hate a discount on ZMUDXP (Whatever it will be called in the future.), especially if we upgrade straight from zmud to zmudxp-pro?

Newbie Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 4

Looks like I'm also to late for the poll, but for what it's worth, as a long time zmud/zmud beta user, I would purchase (depending on release type) either an upgrade to or the full up pro version of your new product. Zmud was the very first product I ever bought and the one that has provided the most satisfaction/value compared to all the other products I've purchased since then.

Apprentice Joined: 29 Jul 2002 Posts: 105

I also forgot to mention the wonderful tech support that is constatnly supplied by these forums... that alone is worth paying for the new one :P

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:35 pm

I'd buy it again... if there were also a linux version that were to come out with it.

Wizard Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 1127 Location: London

No Linux version for a number of reasons, see various other messages. That horse is already dead.

Novice Joined: 08 Nov 2002 Posts: 34 Location: Elanthia

This may have been addressed but... Why not just make all purchases of zMudXP come bundled with zMud "classic"
Once XP is released I would think that zMud sales will bottom out shortly there after and since you will only be basically removing bugs in classic you wont specifically need to financially support it the majority of support necessary will be that for XP PRO and your other software
I currently have 2 liscense's of zMud and have friends that also do yet we are looking forward to XP and PRO possibilities. Sure we will miss free upgrades for life but $20 dollars a year ($40 every 2 years) is alot less than most of us spend on BAD programs and wish we hadnt.
With zMud we have a proven track record of quality and a designer that Listens to us... for that matter how many other commercial designers can you speak with directly or indirectly the way we can with Zugg?

Just my 2 coins Zugg
Keep up the good work
me and most of my friends have your back regardless of the choice you make

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:58 am

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:01 pm

It will be literally impossible for zMUDXP to work under Linux because it will be written using zApp, which I believe has some very Windows-specific components.

Beginner Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 20

Okay, so I just bought zmud for full price after using gmud for awhile. Now I come to the forums and find that I will be expected to purchase another product within a few months time? I have to say that I feel somewhat miffed by this. When I bought the zmud license, I thought I was getting free version upgrades for life. Confused

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:17 am

No, please read these forums more carefully. You will learn that anyone who has purchased zMUD since July 1st 2005 will get a free license for the new product when it is released. So, nothing to be miffed about.

Beginner Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 20

Oops, sorry, nevermind then. :)

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:48 am

Since this is your first time to the forums I hope you get to see this. If you bought zMud on July 1st or later, you automatically receive a CMud license. Zugg actually decided this so that his valued customers would not feel cheated but rather continue to receive exceptional value.

Wizard Joined: 15 Jan 2002 Posts: 1644 Location: USA

Don't worry Malathion you will be able to get cmud for free if you just bought zmud and not have to pay for another 2 years (I think thats the upgrade policy).

Beginner Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 20

Yeah Zugg answered this, thanks. Smile

Beginner Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 21

I am strongly against the full price release version for current zMUD owners. I can understand a small upgrade fee only to make up for all of your hard work, Zugg, but to charge all of your loyal players full price for a new GUI version.... well, I don't like it.

Beginner Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 20

I am running windows 98 so Until i get a new computer I wont be buying it. Just another reason to get a new computer Twisted Evil

Wizard Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 1113 Location: USA

Draconar, to pay about 30 bucks for a piece of software is an extremely good deal. For something like this that enables us to play free online games with many additional features overlaid on top of those games (i.e., triggers, buttons, etc), it is definitely a good return on investment. Consider how many people pay to play standard PC or console games. A single game costs you 50-60 dollars and when you get to the end (or just get bored), you're done with that game. zMUD has provided me with a few years of gaming fun already, and I expect CMUD will only enhance the experience more. All this for one low price.

Wizard Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 1127 Location: London

Wonder if there's a great deal of point leaving the topic open anymore, what with CMUD being a couple of weeks away from Beta.
Similarly, might be worth shifting the 'ZMUDXP wishlist' into the cmud beta forum, and maybe rename it to 'CMUD wishlist' so that people stop having this idea that CMUD is just zMud with a new front end.

Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 9:14 pm

I'm not sure about moving the thread but I agree with locking it. So I am doing, hope you don't mind Zugg, tell me off if you do Twisted Evil

Ooh look we get to see the stats of the poll Cool

SubAdmin Joined: 18 Nov 2001 Posts: 5182

The poll has been completed, and all the feedback is appreciated. Please take a look in the CMud beta forum, or post, if you have any questions.