According to Jim Rushing (one of the four original partners in Ozark Softscape), "M.U.L.E." was initially called "Planet Pioneers" during development. It was intended to be similar to "Cartels & Cutthroats", with more graphics, better playability, and a focus on multiplayer. The real-time auction element came largely from lead designer Danielle Bunten's "Wheeler Dealers". The board game "Monopoly" was used as a model for the game because of its encouragement of social interaction and for several of the game's elements: the acquisition and development of land as a primary task, a production advantage for grouped plots, different species (à la the different player tokens), and random events similar to "Chance" cards. Additional game features such as claim jumping, loans, and crystite depletion were discarded for adding complexity without enhancing gameplay.