Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
What is Mudkeep?
Mudkeep is a managed hosting platform built specifically for MUDs, MUSHes, and MOOs. Instead of wrestling with VPS configs, firewall rules, and engine installs, you get a fully running game server in about 60 seconds. We handle the infrastructure so you can focus on building your world.
How do I launch my first MUD?
Sign up, pick a plan, choose your engine, and give your world a name. That's it. Mudkeep provisions a container, assigns you a subdomain (yourname.mudkeep.com), and starts your server. You'll get admin credentials on first login so you can jump straight into building.
Do I need to know how to code?
Not to get started. Evennia and PennMUSH both ship with working defaults out of the box. That said, MUD development does eventually involve diving into code or softcode -- that's part of the fun. Mudkeep just removes the hosting headaches so you can get to the good stuff faster.
Can I migrate an existing MUD to Mudkeep?
Not yet via a one-click tool, but it's on the roadmap. In the meantime, reach out at [email protected] and we can talk through your situation. Many migrations are straightforward with a little manual help.
Who built Mudkeep?
Mudkeep is a solo project. I'm a systems analyst by background, and a MUD player at heart. I previously built Hearthhosting, a similar platform for Foundry VTT. Mudkeep is a clean rebuild with everything I learned from that. AI development tools were part of my toolkit -- but every architecture decision, product choice, and line of direction is mine. If something's broken or confusing, that's on me. If something works beautifully, well -- also me.
Billing
How does the free trial work?
Every new account gets a free trial so you can kick the tires before committing. No credit card required to start. When your trial ends, you'll need to pick a paid plan to keep your server running. We won't delete your world -- it just gets paused until you're ready.
What plans are available?
We offer four tiers -- Novice, Adventurer, Champion, and Legend -- each with increasing resources, instances, and features. Check the pricing page for the full breakdown. You can upgrade or downgrade at any time.
Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan?
Yes. Upgrades go through a new Stripe Checkout so you always see exactly what you're agreeing to before any charge. Downgrades and cancellations are handled through the Stripe billing portal. No dark patterns, no surprise charges.
What happens if I cancel?
Your subscription stays active until the end of the current billing period -- you've already paid for it. After that, your server is paused. Your world data is retained for a reasonable period so you can reactivate if you change your mind. We're not in the business of nuking people's worlds.
What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit and debit cards via Stripe. Stripe also supports Apple Pay and Google Pay depending on your browser and device.
Do you offer refunds?
We handle refund requests on a case-by-case basis. If something went wrong on our end, we'll make it right. Reach out at [email protected].
Engines
Which MUD engines does Mudkeep support?
Currently Evennia and PennMUSH. Both are battle-tested, actively maintained, and well-documented. More engines are in the works.
Which engine should I choose?
It depends on what you want to build. Evennia is a Python-based framework ideal for developers who want full control and modern tooling -- great for MUDs with custom systems. PennMUSH is a classic MUSH server with decades of history, a rich softcode environment, and a large community -- great for roleplay-focused games and builders coming from a MUSH background. If you're not sure, Evennia is a solid default for new projects.
Can I switch engines after I've started?
Not on the same instance -- engines are set at provisioning time. You can spin up a new instance with a different engine if you want to experiment. On plans that support multiple instances, this is straightforward.
Can I install custom packages or modify the server?
SSH access and an in-browser file editor are coming soon for all plans. For now, Evennia supports Python-based modifications through its standard game directory structure, and PennMUSH supports softcode natively. Reach out if you have a specific need.
Play Client
What is the Mudkeep play client?
Every MUD hosted on Mudkeep gets a browser-based play client at mudkeep.com/play/yourslug. Players can connect directly from a browser without installing anything. It supports full telnet negotiation, local echo control, and six visual themes.
Can players still connect with a traditional MUD client?
Absolutely. Your server is reachable via standard telnet on its assigned port. Any client that supports telnet -- Mudlet, TinTin++, MUSHclient, BlowTorch, and so on -- will work fine.
Is the play client connection secure?
Yes. Browser connections go over WSS (secure WebSocket) via Cloudflare. The connection between Cloudflare and our servers is also encrypted. Direct telnet connections on the raw port are unencrypted by design -- that's standard for the MUD ecosystem and expected by traditional clients.
Backups
How does backup work?
Mudkeep automatically backs up your world data on a regular schedule depending on your plan. Backups are stored in object storage and listed on your dashboard. One-click restore means you can roll back to any saved point without touching a command line.
How long are backups retained?
Retention varies by plan -- higher tiers keep more backups. The dashboard always shows exactly what's available and when each backup was taken.
Can I take a manual backup before making big changes?
Yes. The dashboard has a one-click backup button on every instance card. We strongly recommend using it before any major softcode or database changes.
Technical & Networking
What does my MUD's address look like?
Every instance gets a subdomain at yourslug.mudkeep.com. Players can reach the browser client at mudkeep.com/play/yourslug, or connect via telnet to yourslug.mudkeep.com on your assigned port. Custom domain support is coming for higher-tier plans.
Where are Mudkeep servers located?
Currently on infrastructure in the United States. We're a small operation right now -- as we grow, additional regions are on the table.
What uptime can I expect?
We target high availability and monitor uptime continuously. Like any hosted service, there will occasionally be maintenance windows or unexpected issues. We're transparent when things go wrong -- no hiding behind a status page that always says green.
Can I restart my server from the dashboard?
Yes. Stop and start controls are available on every instance card. Scheduled automatic restarts are coming for higher-tier plans.
Security
Is my data safe?
We take security seriously. Instances run in isolated containers, data is backed up to object storage, and all web traffic goes through Cloudflare. We don't share your data with third parties except as required to operate the service (Stripe for billing, Brevo for transactional email).
What happens to my data if I delete my account?
Your personal information is anonymized and your instance is destroyed. Backup data is removed on the next retention cycle. We don't keep your data around longer than necessary.
How do I report a security issue?
Email [email protected] directly. We take vulnerability reports seriously and will respond promptly.