Player-session MUD protocol

MSSP

MUD Server Status Protocol

Widely used Documented current use

Publishes machine-readable server metadata such as name, player count, uptime, codebase, URLs, and supported capabilities.

Protocol overview

First seen: 2009
Present-day status: Widely used
In use today?: Yes, with documented current use.
Legacy?: No.
Layer: Player-session MUD protocol
Transport: Telnet option 70 with VAR/VAL records
Telnet option: 70
Research validated: 2026-08-29

Current use and fit

Actively used by crawlers and directories, including MUDVerse, and supported by current engines and clients.

Implementation essentials

Offer WILL MSSP and send the status record after the peer accepts.
Keep NAME, PLAYERS, and UPTIME accurate and update dynamic fields at collection time.
Advertise only capabilities the listener actually supports.

Compatibility and safety notes

Do not cache dynamic fields indefinitely.
MSSP values are public metadata, not an authentication channel.

Original specifications and sources

MUDhalla full specification Primary
MUD Standards preservation Preservation
MUDVerse MSSP implementation guide Local

Where an original site has disappeared, a preservation archive is linked and identified as such. MUDVerse does not claim authorship of the original protocol.