“I’d close World of Warcraft” says Richard Bartle, the co-creator of the original MUD. MUDs, or Multi-User Dungeons, are a lot like World of Warcraft except they have existed since 1978 and use text instead of graphics. Like World of Warcraft, most MUDs feature quests, leveling up, bad guys, clans, and treasures wrapped up into a virtual online world.

Bartle made this statement when questioned, “If you could take over control of one major MMORPG – which would you choose and what would you do with it?” The MMORPG he’d take over would be WoW – just so that he could shut it down. This would force WoW players to seek out alternatives, according to Bartle.

Bartle also made interesting observations regarding the lack of altruism in modern games, the ‘burnout’ effect that often occurs with MMORPGs, the lasting value of MMOs and virtual worlds, what will happen next, and the problems that 3D presents in terms of usability and depth.

Full Interview with Richard Bartle – via guardian.co.uk