Sindome

Sindome is a cyberpunk MOO (a text-based online virtual reality system to which multiple users are connected at the same time). Roleplaying in Sindome is unique in that most of its coding is custom, employing XML, File-IO, custom web based websocket powered game client, and a graphical web interface. Sindome has been online since 1997 and there are typically between 60-100 players dedicated role-players online at any time.[1]

Storyline

Set in a dark gritty world in the year 2105, Sindome takes place in Withmore City, a geodesic dome city built in the wastelands of lower California. The face of the earth has been scarred by climate change and many great cities have been submerged due to the rising oceans. Sindome is all about playing a role in the struggle of the haves versus the have-nots. Characters fight for survival, carving out a niche in the underworld for themselves.

From the Sindome website:

The corporations have grown larger than the countries they were once entities of, their wealth and power allowing them to build a refuge away from the chaos that has befallen the globe. Once invested in their failed salvation, a city was born out of their necessity to turn a profit. The blood, sweat and very lives of the first citizens a testament to the inequality that has existed since its birth, the city teems with the overflowing masses of corporate drones and ramshackle destitute. With the law empowering its patrolmen to be judge, jury and executioner, the haves have a distinct advantage over the population that is forbidden from owning fire-arms themselves.

Theme

The Sindome world is based on the cyberpunk genre of science fiction. Sindome draws its inspiration from books, movies, and traditional role-playing games like: William Gibson's Neuromancer, Count Zero, Virtual Light, Idoru, "Burning Chrome"; Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash; Bruce Sterling's Mirrorshades, Richard K Morgan's Altered Carbon and Islands in the Net; R. Talsorian Games' Cyberpunk 2020; the movies Blade Runner, Judge Dredd, and The Matrix series.

Criticism

Sindome has been a topic of regular discussion on the /r/MUD subreddit community for many years.[2] Issues raised by one former player named 'Ephemeralis' include criticism of its dated codebase and number of missing features common to the cyberpunk theme (decking, matrix use, etc) despite regular code and content updates[3]. Other unsubstantiated allegations made anonymously on Reddit include abuse by its volunteer staff of their positions for their own personal gain. [4] These allegations remain unproven given the nature of accusations made from anonymous aliases.

Sindome's rigid "no discussing in character events on out of character channels" rule[5] have been described as being a tool wielded by the administration to silence critics on their platform. [4] In addition, these rules have reportedly been flaunted by members of the GM team themselves in the past, with at least one known incident of such spilling over onto Reddit and Discord[2][6].

An 'anti-fan site' titled "Club Banished" was created by former community members who were removed for toxic behavior. [7][8] The Sindome staff team has responded to many of the issues raised by the website.[9][10]

A disclosure about a former GM being banned for cheating after abuse of their powers was discovered during an audit can be found on their forums.[11]

References
  1. Sindome Mudconnector Entry
  2. "reddit.com: search results - sindome". reddit. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  3. "[2019] Year End Improvements Wrap up". Sindome. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  4. "r/MUD - A warning about Sindome". reddit. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  5. "Rules of Conduct". Sindome. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  6. "Discord". www.clubbanished.com. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  7. "Sindome Snopes". Sindome. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  8. "GMs". www.clubbanished.com. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  9. "Sindome Snopes". Sindome. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  10. "Sindome Snoopes". www.clubbanished.com. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  11. "Dekkard Removed for Cheating". Sindome. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
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