Welcome to txSpace

txSpace (formerly known as InnerSpace) is a MUD-like system for building virtual worlds. The goal was to take the LambdaMOO approach to creating online worlds, and update it in hopes of attracting new players to an old idea.

Like many MOO-clones before it, txSpace uses Python as its internal scripting language. This provides a powerful environment for game authors, while a flexible object model allows for creation of complex in-game objects.

Since the primary client is a XHTML web interface, authors can customize the client appearance a great deal using standards-based XHTML and CSS -- even JavaScript or Macromedia Flash can be embedded.

Documentation

Blueprints

Feature Set

AJAX-Enabled Client

The default client provides a standards-compliant web interface based on the Nevow Athena AJAX framework.

Client API

A Twisted Perspective Broker interface is provided for developers who with to build a custom heavy client.

Powerful Natural-Language Parser

The built-in interpreter parses a large number of different imperative statements, making user-world interaction a more immersive experience.

Internal Scripting

A Pure-Python scripting layer integrates tightly with the framework code, allowing a high degree of customization.

Robust Networking

txSpace relies on the Twisted Python and Nevow frameworks to implement client-server communication. This robust asychronous networking library allows client connections to scale easily to hundreds of connections.

Graphical Object Editors

Programmers and authors alike will find the built-in authoring tools expedite world creation and verb programming.

Syntax-Highlighting Verb Editor

Verbs are created in-game, through an embedded editor. Support for external editors coming soon.

Keep in mind that txSpace in its current form is not targeted to one particular game genre or type. Owing to its roots in  LambdaMOO, the goal here is to provide a basic environment that takes care of the common features of these kinds of systems. If you're looking for something with a richer set of primitives for immersive text-oriented gaming, you should have a look at  Divmod's  Imaginary.

 Try it Out!

I've installed a test server on bubblehouse, but it's going to be awhile until it can be opened to the public. However, I'm very interested in finding beta testers to put this thing through its paces. If you're interested in mucking around with the beta server, you should  sign up for the txSpace mailing list. Once subscribed, you can submit a request for an account there; eventually I'll have a form or some other mechanism to allow users to create their own accounts.

Incidentally,  Innerspace was a somewhat preposterous movie from the 80s featuring Martin Short. This is, thankfully, a coincidence, but it seems like with the advent of the Twisted Community naming scheme, now would be a good time to formally change the name.