The setting was inspired by Robert A. Heinlein’s Time Enough for Love, wherein galactic colonization is in the style of the American Old West: A few pioneers with drive and primitive tools. The M.U.L.E. itself is based on the idea of the genetically modified animal in Heinlein’s novel and given the appearance of a Star Wars Imperial Walker. Another Heinlein novel, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, provided the decision to not have any government or external authority. In the game’s original designs, land was sold by auction, but this caused a feedback loop in which the wealthiest player had the most land and thus made the most money; thus, the developers created the “land authority” that gives each player a free plot of land each turn.
That wasn’t bad back in the day.
I knew anout this game but never knew what it was about, because in school, someone painted the letters M.U.L.E on 7 lockers and it was never removed, and people talked about it being a game I guess. Now I know, thanks OP!