be highly extendable for any style of game. "Bare-bones" in this context means that we try to impose as few game-specific things on you as possible. For convenience offer basic building
We also include a growing list of *optional* [contribs](Contribs/Contribs-Overview.md) you can use for your game would you want something to build from.
Using the full power of Python throughout the server offers some distinct advantages. All your coding, from object definitions and custom commands to AI scripts and economic systems is done in normal Python modules rather than some ad-hoc scripting language. The fact that you script the game in the same high-level language that you code it in allows for very powerful and custom game implementations indeed.
Out of the box, Evennia gives you a 'talker'-type of game; you can walk around, chat, build rooms and objects, do basic roleplaying and administration. The server ships with a default set of player commands that are similar to the MUX command set. We *do not* aim specifically to be a MUX server, but we had to pick some default to go with (see [this](Concepts/Soft-Code.md) for more about our original motivations). It's easy to remove or add commands, or to have the command syntax mimic other systems, like Diku, LP, MOO and so on. Or why not create a new and better command system of your own design.
Evennia comes with a default set of commands for the Python newbies and for those who need to get a game running *now*. Stock Evennia is enough for running a simple 'Talker'-type game - you can build and describe rooms and basic objects, have chat channels, do emotes and other things suitable for a social or free-form MU\*. Combat, mobs and other game elements are not included, so you'll have a very basic game indeed if you are not willing to do at least *some* coding.
Evennia's source code is [extensively documented](https://www.evennia.com/docs/latest). But while Python is considered a very easy programming language to get into, you do have a learning curve to climb if you are new to programming. Evennia's [Starting-tutorial](Howtos/Beginner-Tutorial/Part1/Beginner-Tutorial-Part1-Overview.md) has a [basic introduction to Python](Howtos/Beginner-Tutorial/Part1/Beginner-Tutorial-Python-basic-introduction.md) but you should probably also sit down with a full Python beginner's tutorial at some point (there are plenty of them on the web if you look around). See also our [link page](./Links.md) for some reading suggestions.
To code your dream game in Evennia you don't need to be a Python guru, but you do need to be able to read example code containing at least these basic Python features:
- Using [variables](https://www.tutorialspoint.com/python/python_variable_types.htm), [conditional statements](https://docs.python.org/tutorial/controlflow.html#if-statements),
[loops](https://docs.python.org/tutorial/controlflow.html#for-statements) and [functions](https://docs.python.org/tutorial/controlflow.html#defining-functions)
- Using [lists, dictionaries and list comprehensions](https://docs.python.org/tutorial/datastructures.html)
Even if you started out as a Python beginner, you will likely get to this point after working on your game for a while. With more general knowledge in Python the full power of Evennia opens up for you. Apart from modifying commands, objects and scripts, you can develop everything from advanced mob AI and economic systems, through sophisticated combat and social mini games, to redefining how commands, players, rooms or channels themselves work. Since you code your game by importing normal Python modules, there are few limits to what you can accomplish.
It's recommended you jump into the [Beginner Tutorial](Howtos/Beginner-Tutorial/Beginner-Tutorial-Overview.md). You can either follow it or jump around to lessons that seem interesting. You can also read the lead developer's [dev blog](https://www.evennia.com/devblog/index.html) for many tidbits and snippets about Evennia's development and structure.
Sometimes it's easier to ask for help. Get engaged in the Evennia community by joining our [Discord](https://discord.gg/AJJpcRUhtF) for direct support. Make an introductory post to our [Discussion forum](https://github.com/evennia/evennia/discussions) and say hi!.
