Cyan, Inc., also known as Cyan Worlds, Inc., is an American
video game developer
A video game developer is a broad term for a software developer specializing in video game development – the process and related disciplines of creating video games. A game developer can range from one person who undertakes all tasks to a larg ...
. Founded as Cyan Productions by brothers
Rand
The RAND Corporation (from the phrase "research and development") is an American nonprofit global policy think tank created in 1948 by Douglas Aircraft Company to offer research and analysis to the United States Armed Forces. It is financed ...
and
Robyn Miller
Robyn Charles Miller (born August 6, 1966) is the co-founder of Cyan Worlds (originally Cyan) with brother Rand Miller. He served as co-designer of the popular computer game ''Myst'', which held the title of best-selling computer game from it ...
in 1987, the company is best known as the creator of the
''Myst'' series. The company is located in
Mead, Washington, just outside
Spokane
Spokane ( ) is the largest city and county seat of Spokane County, Washington, United States. It is in eastern Washington, along the Spokane River, adjacent to the Selkirk Mountains, and west of the Rocky Mountain foothills, south of the Canada ...
.
''
Myst
''Myst'' is a graphic adventure/puzzle video game designed by the Miller brothers, Robyn and Rand. It was developed by Cyan, Inc., published by Broderbund, and initially released for the Macintosh in 1993. In the game, the player's characte ...
'' became the
best-selling PC game ever made when it was released in 1993, and remained so for several years afterwards. It spawned several sequels, including ''
Riven
''Riven'' is a puzzle adventure video game. It is the sequel to '' Myst'' and second in the ''Myst'' series of games. Developed by Cyan Worlds, it was initially published by Red Orb Entertainment, a division of Broderbund. ''Riven'' was dis ...
'' and the
massively multiplayer online
A massively multiplayer online game (MMOG or more commonly MMO) is an online video game with a large number of players, often hundreds or thousands, on the same server. MMOs usually feature a huge, persistent open world, although there are ...
adventure ''
Myst Online: Uru Live''. Before ''Myst'', the company created children's games such as ''
The Manhole
''The Manhole'' is an adventure video game in which the player opens a manhole and reveals a gigantic beanstalk, leading to fantastic worlds.
Summary
The game was first released on floppy disks in 1988 by Cyan, Inc. (now ''Cyan Worlds'') and di ...
''. In 2016, they released the
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is an American public benefit corporation based in Brooklyn, New York, that maintains a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity. The company's stated mission is to "help bring creative projects to life". As of July 2021, K ...
-funded game ''
Obduction
Obduction is a geological process whereby denser oceanic crust (and even upper mantle) is scraped off a descending ocean plate at a convergent plate boundary and thrust on top of an adjacent plate. When oceanic and continental plates converge, ...
''.
History
Pre-Myst
Cyan was founded in 1987 by brothers
Rand
The RAND Corporation (from the phrase "research and development") is an American nonprofit global policy think tank created in 1948 by Douglas Aircraft Company to offer research and analysis to the United States Armed Forces. It is financed ...
and
Robyn Miller
Robyn Charles Miller (born August 6, 1966) is the co-founder of Cyan Worlds (originally Cyan) with brother Rand Miller. He served as co-designer of the popular computer game ''Myst'', which held the title of best-selling computer game from it ...
, operating out of their parents' basement in their
Spokane, Washington
Spokane ( ) is the largest city and county seat of Spokane County, Washington, United States. It is in eastern Washington, along the Spokane River, adjacent to the Selkirk Mountains, and west of the Rocky Mountain foothills, south of the ...
home. Rand had been programming games as a junior high school student in the 1980s, while Robyn studied music and arts in high school. The two found a common ground through the Macintosh
Hypercard
HyperCard is a software application and development kit for Apple Macintosh and Apple IIGS computers. It is among the first successful hypermedia systems predating the World Wide Web.
HyperCard combines a flat-file database with a graphical, ...
development program which allowed them to mix their talents together.
Cyan originally produced adventure games for children. The company's early titles, ''
The Manhole
''The Manhole'' is an adventure video game in which the player opens a manhole and reveals a gigantic beanstalk, leading to fantastic worlds.
Summary
The game was first released on floppy disks in 1988 by Cyan, Inc. (now ''Cyan Worlds'') and di ...
'' (1988), ''
Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel'' (1989) and ''
Spelunx'' (1991) were whimsical fantasy adventures for a young audience. The games offered numerous graphical screens with puzzles,
mini-games and activities. Some of these titles were early forays of Cyan into both construction of interactive worlds using HyperCard and the
CD-ROM medium, both of which would later be used for ''
Myst
''Myst'' is a graphic adventure/puzzle video game designed by the Miller brothers, Robyn and Rand. It was developed by Cyan, Inc., published by Broderbund, and initially released for the Macintosh in 1993. In the game, the player's characte ...
''.
Myst franchise
In 1993, Cyan shot to worldwide fame with the release of ''
Myst
''Myst'' is a graphic adventure/puzzle video game designed by the Miller brothers, Robyn and Rand. It was developed by Cyan, Inc., published by Broderbund, and initially released for the Macintosh in 1993. In the game, the player's characte ...
'', a 3D
pre-rendered
Pre-rendering is the process in which video footage is not rendered in real-time by the hardware that is outputting or playing back the video. Instead, the video is a recording of footage that was previously rendered on different equipment (typi ...
adventure game aimed at an older audience unlike their previous games. ''Myst'' was one of the earliest
CD-ROM games during a time when CD-ROM drives were beginning to become mainstream. The title sold more than six million copies and was the
best-selling PC game ever, until ''
The Sims
''The Sims'' is a series of life simulation video games developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The franchise has sold nearly 200 million copies worldwide, and it is one of the best-selling video game series of all time.
The games ...
'' exceeded ''Myst'' sales in 2002.
With the revenue from ''Myst'', Cyan quickly moved to a new headquarters to accommodate a bigger staff, where they remain today. During this time, three novels set in the ''Myst'' universe were co-authored by the Millers and
David Wingrove
David Wingrove (born September 1954) is a British science fiction writer. He is well known as the author of the '' Chung Kuo'' novels. He is also the co-author (with Rand and Robyn Miller) of the three ''Myst'' novels.
Biography
Wingrove worke ...
. The sequel to ''Myst'', ''
Riven
''Riven'' is a puzzle adventure video game. It is the sequel to '' Myst'' and second in the ''Myst'' series of games. Developed by Cyan Worlds, it was initially published by Red Orb Entertainment, a division of Broderbund. ''Riven'' was dis ...
'', was released in 1997. After its release, Robyn opted to leave Cyan to pursue other interests, primarily working on independent film production.
[ In a 1999 interview, Robyn stated that the reason for his departure was that "Two people can't pilot a ship – someone must be in charge...The parting gave us each a ship."
The next eight years saw a huge amount of expansion in the ''Myst'' franchise, both from within and outside of Cyan. While the publishing rights were transferred from Broderbund to ]Mattel
Mattel, Inc. ( ) is an American multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company founded in January 1945 and headquartered in El Segundo, California. The company has presence in 35 countries and territories and sells products in more ...
, and then to Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment SA (; ; formerly Ubi Soft Entertainment SA) is a French video game publisher headquartered in Saint-Mandé with development studios across the world. Its video game franchises include ''Assassin's Creed'', '' Far Cry'', ...
, Cyan prepared for the next game in the Myst universe, which was to be a massively multiplayer online game
A massively multiplayer online game (MMOG or more commonly MMO) is an online video game with a large number of players, often hundreds or thousands, on the same server. MMOs usually feature a huge, persistent open world, although there are ...
, and not a direct sequel to ''Myst''. During this time, the company started going by the name "Cyan Worlds, Inc.". Partly as a test of their new real-time 3D engine, Cyan released '' realMyst'' in 2000, a complete recreation of the original ''Myst
''Myst'' is a graphic adventure/puzzle video game designed by the Miller brothers, Robyn and Rand. It was developed by Cyan, Inc., published by Broderbund, and initially released for the Macintosh in 1993. In the game, the player's characte ...
'' game. At the same time, the next ''Myst'' game, '' Myst III: Exile'', was developed by Presto Studios and published by Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment SA (; ; formerly Ubi Soft Entertainment SA) is a French video game publisher headquartered in Saint-Mandé with development studios across the world. Its video game franchises include ''Assassin's Creed'', '' Far Cry'', ...
, and released in 2001.
In 2003, Cyan announced that their multiplayer adventure, ''Uru'', formerly known under the working titles ''DIRT'' (" D'ni In Real Time"), ''Mudpie'' ("Multi-User DIRT – Persistent Interactive Environment"), ''Parable'' and ''Myst Online'', would be split into separate single-player and multiplayer components, at the request of the publisher Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment SA (; ; formerly Ubi Soft Entertainment SA) is a French video game publisher headquartered in Saint-Mandé with development studios across the world. Its video game franchises include ''Assassin's Creed'', '' Far Cry'', ...
. The single-player component, '' Uru: Ages Beyond Myst'', was released later that year. The multiplayer component, ''Uru Live
''Myst Online: Uru Live'' is an open source massively multiplayer online adventure game developed by Cyan Worlds. The game is the multiplayer component to the 2003 video game '' Uru: Ages Beyond Myst''. Like ''Uru'', ''Myst Online'' takes place ...
'' had a short beta test
A software release life cycle is the sum of the stages of development and maturity for a piece of computer software ranging from its initial development to its eventual release, and including updated versions of the released version to help impro ...
, but was cancelled before being officially released.
In 2004, Cyan released two '' Uru'' expansion packs (''To D'ni'' and ''The Path of the Shell'') that included content originally intended for the online component. The same year, Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment SA (; ; formerly Ubi Soft Entertainment SA) is a French video game publisher headquartered in Saint-Mandé with development studios across the world. Its video game franchises include ''Assassin's Creed'', '' Far Cry'', ...
independently developed and released '' Myst IV: Revelation'', the second game in the series not developed by Cyan. In the following year, Cyan developed the final chapter in the Myst series, '' Myst V: End of Ages''. After ''Myst V'', the company laid off most of its employees due to financial difficulties, but shortly after rehired almost everyone after negotiating a deal with Turner Broadcasting
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (alternatively known as Turner Entertainment Networks from 2019 until 2022) was an American television and media conglomerate. Founded by Ted Turner and based in Atlanta, Georgia, it merged with Time Warner (l ...
. Prior to this, the company was working on an as yet unannounced project (reportedly named '' Latus'' by Richard A. Watson) and negotiating with an undisclosed publisher, but its status is now unclear, though Rand Miller made mention of it in August 2011 and confirmed its name as Latus.
On April 9, 2018, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original ''Myst'', Cyan announced via Kickstarter
Kickstarter is an American public benefit corporation based in Brooklyn, New York, that maintains a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity. The company's stated mission is to "help bring creative projects to life". As of July 2021, K ...
that they had acquired the legal rights to ''Exile'' and ''Revelation'' and were re-releasing the entire series, including the complete ''Uru'' and ''realMyst: Masterpiece Edition'', on both DVD-ROM and digital download on GOG.com and Steam
Steam is a substance containing water in the gas phase, and sometimes also an aerosol of liquid water droplets, or air. This may occur due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat is applied until water reaches the enthalpy of vaporizat ...
. Cyan has also worked with GOG.com to upgrade all of the games in the franchise to full compatibility with modern Windows operating systems. The Kickstarter campaign included a number of specific perks (such as a "working" Myst Linking Book with LED screen as the box for the physical copies of the games) for the anniversary editions, which would ship in November 2018. The pledged goal for the Kickstarter campaign was before May 24; this initial goal was attained within eight hours, and within two weeks, the amount of donations exceeded $1 million. The campaign closed on May 24 at $2,810,127, over 1100% of the pledged goal, with 19,304 backers. ''Exile'' and ''Revelation'', along with updated versions of the other games of the series, appeared on GOG.com and Steam in Summer/Fall 2018.
Post-Myst
After ''Uru Live
''Myst Online: Uru Live'' is an open source massively multiplayer online adventure game developed by Cyan Worlds. The game is the multiplayer component to the 2003 video game '' Uru: Ages Beyond Myst''. Like ''Uru'', ''Myst Online'' takes place ...
'' closed, fans began developing their own server software. In response to this demand, Cyan Worlds released ''Untìl Uru
''Myst Online: Uru Live'' is an open source massively multiplayer online adventure game developed by Cyan Worlds. The game is the multiplayer component to the 2003 video game '' Uru: Ages Beyond Myst''. Like ''Uru'', ''Myst Online'' takes place ...
'' in late 2004, a modified version of the client and server software of ''Live''. This version of the game was unsupported – servers were owned and operated by fans, and no new content was provided. Later, through funding by GameTap
GameTap was an online video game service established by Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) in 2005. It provided users with classic arcade video games and game-related video content. The service was acquired by French online video game service Me ...
, Cyan managed to offer the "D'mala" shard, an official game server. Fans also began developing new content for the game, in an unofficial context.
In 2006, Rand Miller announced that ''Uru Live'' would return in full capacity using GameTap
GameTap was an online video game service established by Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) in 2005. It provided users with classic arcade video games and game-related video content. The service was acquired by French online video game service Me ...
-hosted servers and funding. Cyan staff were re-hired and production of new Uru content began.
'' Myst Online: Uru Live'' launched officially on GameTap
GameTap was an online video game service established by Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) in 2005. It provided users with classic arcade video games and game-related video content. The service was acquired by French online video game service Me ...
on February 15, 2007, after being available through GameTap as an open beta for a few months. This was the most successful incarnation of ''Uru'', finally achieving the original goal of supported online play, with ongoing content releases. Despite this success, GameTap announced on February 4, 2008, that it would be closing ''Uru Live''. Game servers remained online for 60 days following, and were finally shut down on April 10, 2008.
On June 30, 2008, it was announced that Cyan Worlds had regained the rights to ''Uru'', and had plans to relaunch it under the name ''Myst Online: Restoration Experiment''. Cyan no longer has funds available for further development on the game, and instead intends to release the code for the servers, client and tools as open-source software
Open-source software (OSS) is computer software that is released under a license in which the copyright holder grants users the rights to use, study, change, and distribute the software and its source code to anyone and for any purpose. Ope ...
, and rely on user-generated content
User-generated content (UGC), alternatively known as user-created content (UCC), is any form of content, such as images, videos, text, testimonials, and audio, that has been posted by users on online platforms such as social media, discussion ...
for expansion.
In November 2008, "Cyan Test" (a third "Cyan" company created to provide testing services) laid off about 50 game testers. The layoffs came as a result of the acquisition of their primary customer Gamecock Media.
In February 2010, Cyan took steps towards opening up ''Uru'', with the launch of a new '' Myst Online: Uru Live'' server (dubbed "MOULagain" by fans) with access to all of the Ages of ''Uru''. They made the client software available free of charge and began accepting donations. As of April 2014, over 128,000 accounts had been created.
On April 6, 2011, Cyan released the source code to the URU client as well its development tools.
Other properties
On November 30, 2007, Cyan released ''Cosmic Osmo's Hex Isle
Cosmic Osmo's Hex Isle is a 3D puzzle/adventure game for Mac and Windows by Cyan Worlds and Fanista released on November 30, 2007. It is a sequel to the adventure game Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel, also by Cyan Worlds
Cyan, ...
'' via the online service Fanista. This marked the return of the Cosmic Osmo character after 15 years.
In August 2009, it was announced that Cyan Worlds would be working with Creative Kingdoms
Creative may refer to:
* Creativity, phenomenon whereby something new and valuable is created
* "Creative" (song), a 2008 song by Leon Jackson
* Creative class, a proposed socioeconomic class
* Creative destruction, an economic term
* Creative ...
to create an online version of their '' MagiQuest'' virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that employs pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment (particularly video games), e ...
game. ''MagiQuest Online
MagiQuest is an interactive attraction in the form of a live action role-playing game where players take the role of magic users. The game takes place in dedicated MagiQuest locations. Players, known as Magi, use an infrared (IR) emitting wand to ...
'' makes use of the Plasma engine used in '' Myst Online: Uru Live''.
''Obduction''
On October 17, 2013, Rand Miller announced a new video game designed as a spiritual successor to ''Myst'' and ''Riven'' called ''Obduction
Obduction is a geological process whereby denser oceanic crust (and even upper mantle) is scraped off a descending ocean plate at a convergent plate boundary and thrust on top of an adjacent plate. When oceanic and continental plates converge, ...
''. The game received $1.3 million in funding from Kickstarter
Kickstarter is an American public benefit corporation based in Brooklyn, New York, that maintains a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity. The company's stated mission is to "help bring creative projects to life". As of July 2021, K ...
support. ''Obduction'' takes place on an alien planet where humans and portions of their environment have been transported, and features puzzles that involve the combination of human technology with alien ones. ''Obduction''s world is fully rendered within the Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine (UE) is a 3D computer graphics game engine developed by Epic Games, first showcased in the 1998 first-person shooter game '' Unreal''. Initially developed for PC first-person shooters, it has since been used in a variety of genr ...
and explorable from the first-person view, though uses full-motion video for some non-player characters. Rand got Robyn's help to create the soundtrack as well as act as one of the non-player characters in the game.[ The game was officially released on August 24, 2016 for Microsoft Windows and ]OS X
macOS (; previously OS X and originally Mac OS X) is a Unix operating system developed and marketed by Apple Inc. since 2001. It is the primary operating system for Apple's Mac computers. Within the market of desktop and la ...
, and later for Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift is a discontinued line of virtual reality headsets developed and manufactured by Oculus VR, a division of Meta Platforms, released on March 28, 2016.
In 2012 Oculus initiated a Kickstarter campaign to fund the Rift's development, a ...
. ''Obduction'' received favorable reviews from critics, comparing as a worthy successor to Cyan's ''Myst'' games.
''Firmament''
On March 1, 2018, Cyan announced ''Firmament'', which they described as "a new VR experience", though will also be available for standard displays. Like ''Obduction'', Cyan launched a Kickstarter on March 26, 2018 to raise funding for the game. The Kickstarter was successful, securing versions of the game for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and PlayStation 4/PlayStation VR systems. ''Firmament'' is tentatively scheduled to be released in 2023.
''Myst'' (2020)
On September 16, 2020, Cyan announced ''Myst'', a VR remake which they described as "the definitive version" of the original game, though it will also be available for standard displays. ''Myst'' uses Unreal Engine 4
Unreal Engine (UE) is a 3D computer graphics game engine developed by Epic Games, first showcased in the 1998 first-person shooter game ''Unreal (1998 video game), Unreal''. Initially developed for Personal computer, PC first-person shooters, i ...
and was released as a timed exclusive for the Oculus Quest
The Oculus Quest is a virtual reality (VR) headset developed by Oculus, a division of Meta, Inc., released on May 21, 2019.
Similar to its predecessor, Oculus Go, it is a standalone device that can run games and software wirelessly under an ...
December 10, 2020, followed by a Windows
Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for ...
, macOS
macOS (; previously OS X and originally Mac OS X) is a Unix operating system developed and marketed by Apple Inc. since 2001. It is the primary operating system for Apple's Mac (computer), Mac computers. Within the market of ...
, Xbox Series X/S
The Xbox Series X/S are home video game consoles developed by Microsoft. They were both released on November 10, 2020, as the fourth generation Xbox, succeeding the Xbox One. Along with Sony's PlayStation 5, also released in November 2020 ...
and Xbox One
The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third base console in the Xbox series of video game consoles. It was first released in North America, parts of ...
version on August 26, 2021.
Games developed
Most of Cyan's titles (those in the ''Myst
''Myst'' is a graphic adventure/puzzle video game designed by the Miller brothers, Robyn and Rand. It was developed by Cyan, Inc., published by Broderbund, and initially released for the Macintosh in 1993. In the game, the player's characte ...
'' and '' Uru'' series) tell the story of a humanoid
A humanoid (; from English ''human'' and '' -oid'' "resembling") is a non-human entity with human form or characteristics. The earliest recorded use of the term, in 1870, referred to indigenous peoples in areas colonized by Europeans. By the 20 ...
race called the D'ni, who have the ability to write linking book
''Myst'' is a franchise centered on a series of adventure game, adventure video games. The first game in the series, ''Myst'', was released in 1993 by brothers Rand Miller, Rand and Robyn Miller and their video game company Cyan Worlds, Cyan, In ...
s. Linking books teleport the user into other worlds, limited only by the imagination of the author. These worlds are referred to as "Ages." Cyan's games are known for their intricate plots, exquisite graphics
Graphics () are visual images or designs on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, screen, paper, or stone, to inform, illustrate, or entertain. In contemporary usage, it includes a pictorial representation of data, as in design and manufacture, ...
, and immersive sounds. They focus on exploration and storytelling, presented by a simple, elegant interface that appeals to gamers and non-gamers alike. Related to the storyline of the D'ni are three Myst novels
''Myst'' is a franchise centered on a series of adventure game, adventure video games. The first game in the series, ''Myst'', was released in 1993 by brothers Rand Miller, Rand and Robyn Miller and their video game company Cyan Worlds, Cyan, In ...
: '' The Book of Atrus'', '' The Book of Ti'ana'' and ''The Book of D'ni
''The Myst Reader'' is a collection of three novels based on the Myst (series), ''Myst'' series of adventure games. The collection was published in September 2004 and combines three works previously published separately: ''The Book of Atrus'' (1 ...
''.
Games published
Cyan announced in November 2018 the formation of a new publishing label, Cyan Ventures, to publish games for virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that employs pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment (particularly video games), e ...
and other platforms. Rand Miller said of the label, "Like with Myst, we know we are on the edge of something...VR has a magical feel, where it takes you to another place. It still feels like we need to push it forward. We are saying let's take the ball and help define this medium." One title from Cyan Ventures is ''ZED'' from Eagre Games, a studio formed by former Cyan developer Chuck Carter, released June 4, 2019.[
]
List of people related to Cyan
* Rand Miller
Rand Miller (born January 17, 1959) is a C.E.O. and co-founder of Cyan Worlds , co-founder and CEO
* Robyn Miller
Robyn Charles Miller (born August 6, 1966) is the co-founder of Cyan Worlds (originally Cyan) with brother Rand Miller. He served as co-designer of the popular computer game ''Myst'', which held the title of best-selling computer game from it ...
, co-founder and former designer/director
* Richard Vander Wende, former designer/director
* Tim Larkin, former sound designer/composer
* Maclaine Diemer Maclaine Diemer is a multimedia music composer. He worked on sound design and composing music for the Rock Band game series, and massively multiplayer online game (MMO) Guild Wars 2.QuintLyn. “Exclusive Interview: Guild Wars 2 Path Of Fire Compos ...
, composer for Firmament[Diemer, Maclaine. ''Twitter'', 6 Jul. 2022]
twitter.com/maclainediemer/status/1544761760195887104
* Martin O'Donnell
Martin O'Donnell (born May 1, 1955) is an American composer known for his work on video game developer Bungie's series, such as ''Myth'', '' Oni'', ''Halo'', and ''Destiny''. O'Donnell collaborated with his musical colleague Michael Salvatori ...
See also
* Myst novels
''Myst'' is a franchise centered on a series of adventure game, adventure video games. The first game in the series, ''Myst'', was released in 1993 by brothers Rand Miller, Rand and Robyn Miller and their video game company Cyan Worlds, Cyan, In ...
References
External links
*
Uru
Myst V: End of Ages
Myst Online: Uru Live
{{Authority control
Companies based in Spokane County, Washington
American companies established in 1987
Video game companies established in 1987
1987 establishments in Washington (state)
Privately held companies based in Washington (state)
Video game companies of the United States
Video game development companies