Hi Everybody,
I have some news that some of you have probably not been looking forward to. GameTap has decided to discontinue the operation of Myst Online: Uru Live.
The decision was a very difficult one and was made for business reasons rather than due to any issues regarding the design and vision of the amazing world that Cyan Worlds and Rand Miller have brought to us. Despite the great Myst Online experience coming to a close, Cyan is still a very valued partner of GameTap, we are on excellent terms, and we look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.
Many of you have made good friends while playing Myst Online, so here is the bittersweet part. Although Myst Online: Uru Live will be completely shut down in the near future, the game servers will remain live for the next 60 days. During that time, both newcomers and existing players can continue to experience the amazing world of Myst Online, explore the game’s many Ages, and interact with other players in the game and on the MystOnline.com website and forums. After 60 days, the title will be removed from the GameTap service, though MystOnline.com will remain live and active for fans to continue to share their passion for this important game franchise.
I know this is not the news fans of Myst Online wanted to hear. I want to thank all of you who have been extremely supportive of the game and made this grand experiment in an alternative MMO format so much fun. All of us at GameTap also want to thank you again for your tireless enthusiasm for the title.
There has been a clamor for information about the status of season 2 for some time, and the reason we haven’t announced anything sooner is because we have literally been examining a wide variety of possibilities for maintaining the game, but in the end, we had to bring the exploration of the great cave to a close.
So thanks again for supporting us as we launched this truly unique game. GameTap is still committed to exploring new genres of gameplay and encouraging bold visions. If you haven’t already tried Season 2 of Sam & Max, give it a try, it is as anarchic as one could hope. And I can tell you from first hand experience that the upcoming Grimm is novel and exciting experiment as well.
Ricardo Sanchez
VP of Content and Creative Director for GameTap
News
Archive for the 'Uru Live News' Category
The D’ni Jazz Club’s screenshots galleries have been updated with new screenshots from Exodus.
You can find a selection of hi res images of Ahnonay, plus autumn Hood decorations and K’veer.
Finale wraps up a dynamic season of new Ages, puzzles and player-driven plotlines
ATLANTA – November 1, 2007 –GameTap, the first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), announced that the season finale for its popular multiplayer online game “Myst Online: Uru Live” will launch today.
“Myst Online has been a great addition to our roster of GameTap Original titles,” said Ricardo Sanchez, GameTap’s vice president of content and creative director. “With our recent change to make content updates occur on a regular schedule, Myst Online is another example of how the episodic format can be effective across different styles of play.”
This season started in February and has already introduced multiple Ages, puzzles and dynamic characters that have drawn players into the ever-changing world of Uru. For the first time ever in a video game, the choices, actions, and experiences of the players themselves have helped drive the ongoing live storyline, which has expanded throughout the season.
“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to launch ‘Myst Online: Uru Live’ with GameTap,” says Rand Miller, CEO of Cyan Worlds and co-creator of Myst. “Being able to bring this dynamic world to the fans of the franchise and a brand new audience of explorers has been a great experience.”
Over the past several months, the great underground cavern of D’ni has been home to many ups and downs. Numerous new areas of the cavern have been restored, granting Explorers access to amazing new worlds and places. However, the road has not been easy for the D’ni Restoration Council (DRC) as they’ve had to overcome tragedies and adversities ranging from petty in-fighting to horrific, unexplained deaths.
Now the DRC must deal with the emergence of the Bahro creatures and the questions that have come with them. Each Council member has his own opinions on what will happen next. Will the Bahro War bring destruction to the cavern? Will the DRC find funding for further restoration work? There has been great progress. There have been setbacks. Still, the future remains as cloudy as ever.
In the season finale, Explorers will be able to explore new areas of Uru, including the new Age of Ahnonay, K’veer Island and Myst Island. In Ahnonay, an Age of deception, mystery and visual wonders spanning thousands of years, players will witness the deterioration of a rugged landscape as they travel through time to uncover the truth. It will require cooperation, investigation, a keen eye, and the comprehension of a subtle and clever ruse.
“Myst Online: Uru Live” includes elements unique to the Myst franchise, including the use of books as teleportation devices, exploration through wondrous, immersive worlds, and mind-challenging puzzles that can be solved alone or with a group. Myst Online also includes all of the key social features such as text and voice chat that make today’s massively multiplayer online games so popular.
New players interested in playing Myst Online can join the adventure now and play for free by visiting www.mystonline.com. The website also offers ways for players to catch up on the currently storylines and to receive a variety of hints and tips.
“Myst Online: Uru Live” was created exclusively for GameTap and is available to GameTap subscribers in the United States and Canada. The game is also available via direct download to consumers in select countries around the world. Expanding beyond computer borders as well, “Myst Online: Uru Live” was launched for Mac users last Spring.
GameTap continues to offer the most video games on-demand in the industry with more than 950 classic and current console, arcade, PC and original titles. Gold level plans are currently available for as low as $5.00 per month and new subscribers can get their first month for only 99 cents. Sign up today at www.gametap.com.
Cyan Worlds, Inc., located in Spokane, WA, is best know for Myst and Riven, which received numerous awards, critical acclaim and broad popularity, Cyan has been designing and building immersive interactive worlds since 1987. They currently employ over 40 designers, programmers and artists. For more information about Cyan Worlds, visit www.cyanworlds.com.
GameTap (GameTap.com), a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is the leader in digital game distribution and broadband entertainment. Launched in 2005, GameTap delivers more than 950 authentic versions of the greatest console, computer and arcade games, including original and exclusive episodic titles such as Myst Online: Uru Live, Sam & Max: Seasons 1 and 2, Galactic Command - Echo Squad, and American McGee’s Grimm. Visitors to GameTap.com can play free games on its ad-supported website, purchase top PC and catalog titles from its digital retail storefront, and tune into GameTap TV’s original programming that includes Retrospective documentaries and new Re\Visioned animated series. GameTap paid members receive unlimited access to its massive library titles, community and multiplayer features, original games, and content.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
Jared Rea has written a preview for Myst Online: Uru Live with input from Ryan Miller over at GameTap. The article speaks about the switching to episodic content and touches upon plans for season 2 of Uru Live.
NEW MYST ONLINE EPISODE DEBUTS ON SEPTEMBER 8th
“Deception” episode includes the launch of new city areas and more political intrigue
GameTap is launching “Deception,” the newest episode in Myst Online: Uru Live this Saturday, September 8th. Players can continue the journey that has already featured all-new puzzles, all-new Ages, and brand new storylines.
Despite the ongoing battles of the Bahro and the threat of the coming war, the D’ni Restoration Council (DRC) continues its efforts to introduce a Guild system into the cavern. Toward that cause, new Guild pubs are introduced, providing Guild members with new areas to congregate and socialize.
Meanwhile, Phil Henderson continues to spread information regarding the Bahro and their conflicts as a former DRC member returns to the cavern. What new information does he have to share and will it lead to salvation or destruction?
Unlike other MMOs, player interactions in Myst Online affect the game in amazing ways. Many of the DRC’s recent decisions regarding the implementation of the Guild system have involved the recommendations of a player Explorer named Reteltee. Additionally, in this episode, players will be able to enjoy a display of the outstanding entries of user-created stained glass art.
Be sure to join in now as this episode serves as a lead-in to the Myst Online: Uru Live Season Finale in October.
To keep up to date with the latest news and art assets for Myst Online: Uru Live and to play the game for free visit, www.mystonline.com.