Networked computer games have come of age in recent years, due to a co
mbination of increased graphical sophistication and simplified network
ing in consumer level computer equipment. This paper presents an overv
iew of a new network game genre, the virtual environment based multi-u
ser dungeon. It reviews the technical requirements necessary to delive
r successful games of this type, and outlines a suggested architecture
. Issues addressed in the architecture include scalability, persistenc
e and consistency.