View source for Achaea, Dreams of Divine Lands

'''''Achaea, Dreams of Divine Lands''''' is a roleplay-focused, text-based multi-user dungeon (MUD) released on September 9, 1997. It was published by Achaea LLC, now known as [[Iron Realms Entertainment]]. Achaea is operated by collecting the revenue through a microtransaction system, which allows payment for the acquisition of in-game benefits.

== Gameplay ==

In the game, players explore a fantasy sword and sorcery [[world]] revolving around six city-states and their respective Houses. As in most role-playing games, players can fight monsters for experience points and treasure, perform quests for non-player characters and interact with other players. One of the major forms of interaction is player vs. player combat, where the dynamic conflict, especially the conflict between Good and Evil plays a dominant role in Achaea. The other play mechanics include the free market economics, which allows the players to design and craft goods, and the player-run [[social]] structure, including Houses (formerly guilds) and politics.

The world consists of over twenty thousand locations, known as ''rooms'', ranging from common countryside to more exotic and surreal environments. Players may choose among eighteen classes, ranging from familiar fantasy elements such as paladins to more unusual options such as Tarot-using Occultists.

Recent structural changes have enriched the environment of Achaea further, by opening up the seas to player controlled ships. This has made available many minigames including diving for treasure, deep-sea fishing and even a form of piracy.

== Revenue ==
Achaea's controversial revenue structure has received attention from the game [[development]] industry. Although Iron Realms Entertainment provides a custom MUD interface for the game, there are neither up-front costs, nor monthly fees typical for the MMORPG-genre. Instead, players may spend money for ''credits'' that are then used in-game to acquire skills and superior equipment.

Recently, however, Achaea has somewhat deviated from this model. In early [[2010]], the option to purchase an Iron Elite membership became available, which periodically gives players credits and other bonuses in [[exchange]] for a monthly fee.

The International Game [[Developers]] Association (IGDA) has noted that Achaea has been successful in this "revenue from object sales" model, "report[ing] substantially higher average revenue per customer ... than the usual subscription prices.". Achaea's use of this model was compared to higher-profile releases such as ''Magic: The Gathering Online'' and ''Project Entropia'' and has been highlighted by game developer Daniel James (game developer)|Daniel James as a possible solution for the problems other online games face involving commodification and interaction with real economy.

== Reviews and reactions ==
Achaea has received generally positive reviews for both its mechanics and social complexities, including a review from Leo Laporte on the June 10&lt;!-- do not link to IRE pages here --&gt;, 2004 episode of ''The Screen Savers'' on TechTV that was reported as favourable.

The combat system includes "hundreds of different ways to attack an opponent", leading to a "complex array of strategies" that is a "true test of skill". The game's engine was adapted for use as the medium of an "e-summit" staged at the 7th Annual World Summit of Young Entrepreneurs with the United Nations.

The role-playing and social aspects of the game have also led to Achaea being cited as an example of "political game design". Iron Realms Entertainment quotes id [[Software]] founder John Romero as saying he "doesn't believe there is a deeper game in existence".

== Controversy ==

Removed the RPG Planet reference, at least for now, following objections regarding its suitability as a "review"
It earned 9 points out of 10 in an RPG Planet review and was described as "the only text MUD that still matters".
Nevertheless, some aspects of the game have met with criticism. The game's revenue system, in particular, has faced mixed opinions. Players playing for free "won't be able to advance as much as the person who has the funds" without a considerable time investment, which often sparks controversy between free players and those who paid for in-game bonuses the equivalent of $725 per item. The IGDA acknowledges that the system requires "delicate issues of design balance". and reviewers who felt it sent an inappropriate message about the consequences of real-world drug use.
== See also ==
* [[Bitcoin]]
* [[ICO listing]]
* [[Token]]
* [[Ethereum]]
* [[Waves Platform]]
* [[Smart contract]]
==Source==

http://wikipedia.org/