Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[MV guide: May 9 - 15, 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/mv-guide-may-9-15-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/mv-guide-may-9-15-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/mv-guide-may-9-15-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively's Livestream channel.

Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of games to take a look at. During Livestream events, you can participate in the live chat to learn about the game, ask questions, and spend some time with Massively staff and readers.

Follow along after the jump to see what's scheduled for this week!

Continue reading MV guide: May 9 - 15, 2011

MassivelyMV guide: May 9 - 15, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mystical-landguild-warsillyriadlivestreamlivestreaminglord-of-the-rings-onlinemv-guidemv-tvmyst-onlinerunes-of-magicsecond-lifeMon, 09 May 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Into the cave I go!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/choose-my-adventure-into-the-cave-i-go/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/choose-my-adventure-into-the-cave-i-go/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/choose-my-adventure-into-the-cave-i-go/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hello Massively Readers, and thank you MJ for passing the torch! It's been an enjoyable ride following her in her Xyson adventures, and I hope I can do the same for whatever game is chosen.

And that brings me to the list -- what would you like to see me play? I made sure to include some of the bridesmaids from previous polls, as well as a few that were mentioned and not listed.

So what's it going to be, Massively readers? Will Pirates of the Burning Sea finally get its comeuppance, or will I sport a jet pack and buzz around in Global Agenda? Are you curious about whether MYST Online has the same frustratingly difficult but gorgeous puzzles as the original, or would you prefer that I return to my roots and spend some time on the EverQuest progression server? And, of course, there's my long-lost uncle whom I never got to know -- EverQuest II Extended. Maybe you'd prefer to see an EQII vet head to free-to-play land.

Whatever the game, I'm looking forward to your help choosing my path, and if you are also playing, I hope to get to know some of you during my adventures. Make sure to get your votes in by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 17th!

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Into the cave I go!

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Into the cave I go! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmaDCUOeq2xeve-onlineeverquest-2-extendedeverquest-progressionfeaturedfree-realmsglobal-agendaLEGO-Universemyst-onlinePirates-of-the-Burning-Seaworld-of-tanksWed, 13 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Myst Online goes open source (again)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/myst-online-goes-open-source-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/myst-online-goes-open-source-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/myst-online-goes-open-source-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

If a dictionary entry for the phrase "long, strange road" existed, it likely would feature an image from Myst Online. The fantasy MMORPG began its checkered life as the multiplayer component of 2003's Uru: Ages Beyond Mist before being scrapped and subsequently revived by GameTap in 2007.

Cyan Worlds then acquired the title and released it as a free-to-play MMO, a strange move considering that the company also open-sourced Myst Online assets in 2008 but continued to support a commercial-grade centralized shard.

This morning, Rock, Paper Shotgun tipped us to the fact that Cyan is once again fanning the flames of open source by announcing that the game's MOULA client engine and associated development tools (as well as a MOULA server replacement called MOSS) will be made available and hosted on OpenUru.org. "The goal of the open source CyanWorlds.com Engine and the MOSS server is to provide a playground where new writers can learn their craft, and new maintainers can inspect it, and new cartographers can map it. The Cyan Worlds MOULA servers will continue to provide a (relatively) safe environment for the D'ni faithful to mingle and share," explains Cyan's Rand Miller.

MassivelyMyst Online goes open source (again) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyancyan-worldsf2pfantasyfree-to-playmossmoulamystmyst-onlinemyst-online-uru-liveopen-sourcePlayStationprivate-serversrand-milleruruuru-liveThu, 07 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Myst Online roars back to life with a Welcome Back block party]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/myst-online-roars-back-to-life-with-a-welcome-back-block-party/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/myst-online-roars-back-to-life-with-a-welcome-back-block-party/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/myst-online-roars-back-to-life-with-a-welcome-back-block-party/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This is the Myst that doesn't end, yes it goes on and on my friends... All jokes about the amazing resilience of Myst Online: URU Live aside, it appears that things are going well since Cyan Worlds brought the game back online. In a post on the official forums, it appears that the CAVCON (or Cavern Condition) is standing at 4, which -- unlike DEFCON -- is a good thing. CAVCON 4 indicates that they've gotten enough donations to cover the current operating expenses and are able to put a little to the side for the future. There have also been 13,997 accounts created, and 46,881 logins during the week ending Feb. 24th -- very good news!

To celebrate the resurrection of MO:UL, the Guild of Messengers is reporting that there is going to be an enormous "Return to URU Block Party" held this upcoming weekend: March 5-7. The party is being thrown by the Guild of Maintainers, and is open for everyone to attend -- from the old-school cavern-crawling D'ni scholars to brand new seekers fresh from the desert!

If you've ever wanted to try out Myst Online: URU Live but didn't know anyone in the game, this is a great way to meet some new friends and fellow adventurers. So check out Sera's great new player guide, strap on your Ki, and we'll see you in the caverns!

MassivelyMyst Online roars back to life with a Welcome Back block party originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cavconcyancyan-worldsguild-of-maintainersguild-of-messengersmoulmyst-onlinemyst-online-uru-liveSat, 27 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[An introduction to Myst Online for newbies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/13/an-introduction-to-myst-online-for-newbies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/13/an-introduction-to-myst-online-for-newbies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/13/an-introduction-to-myst-online-for-newbies/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Shorah! Many years have passed since Myst was released to game stores everywhere, conquering the sales charts and mystifying anyone with a CD-ROM drive. Since then, the game has pretty much been the defining jewel of the adventure/puzzle genre, releasing four more titles in the series and creating a spinoff that we here at Massively have always been interested in: Myst Online.

However, its been years since an adventure game has captivated audiences. Some of you have played Myst long ago but were stumped by the onslaught of difficult puzzles while others have never even touched the game. But, with the re-opening of Myst Online and Cyan's servers getting slammed with people, you're interested. You want to know what Myst offers, but there's so much to learn, right? Today I want to guide you through what makes Myst so beautiful, and give you some tips on how to get your foot in the door with Myst Online (sans spoilers, of course.)

Continue reading An introduction to Myst Online for newbies

MassivelyAn introduction to Myst Online for newbies originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beginners-guidecyanfeaturedguideguild-of-greeterskimyst-onlinemyst-online-uru-livestarting-outuruSat, 13 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Myst Online is alive... again... for the, um, we lost count how many times it died]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/myst-online-is-alive-again-for-the-um-we-lost-count-how/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/myst-online-is-alive-again-for-the-um-we-lost-count-how/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/myst-online-is-alive-again-for-the-um-we-lost-count-how/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Myst fans, rejoice one more time.

The game that gives Lazarus a run for his money, Myst Online: URU Live, is kicking once more. Cyan Worlds has gotten enough money together again to start up a brand new Myst server as the first phase of making Myst Online an open source project. The cavern that's online now is mostly the same cavern that GameTap had right as the game went offline.

Best news of all? Myst Online is free. Yes, you heard us right -- free. Free as in no subscription, no paying for the client, no nothing. They're welcoming all cavern dwellers, new and old, back to the depths of D'ni. Their account creation page is getting hammered right now, as everyone wants to get back in ASAP, so if you can't create an account just give it some time.

While the game is free, servers and running a business are not. Cyan has opened up a donation page on PayPal for anyone who wants to donate towards the game's bills, so if you're feeling generous then by all means show Uru some support. The game has been through hell and back, and some help would be much appreciated around the Cyan offices. They've even said they're working on a little present for those who donate...

So, readers of Massively, can I get a shorah?

MassivelyMyst Online is alive... again... for the, um, we lost count how many times it died originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcyancyan-worldsgametapits-alive-again-holy-crapmyst-onlinemyst-online-uru-liveopen-sourceshorahMon, 08 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Open source MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/14/the-daily-grind-open-source-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/14/the-daily-grind-open-source-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/14/the-daily-grind-open-source-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


In an amazing bit of news yesterday, Cyan Worlds decided to fully open-source Myst Online: URU Live. When we say fully, we mean it - art, client code, server code, development engine, everything. It was a bold move for Cyan to take; essentially trusting in the fans and other MMO addicts to take their code and continue growing Myst Online: URU Live.
This morning we thought we'd ask - now that this first step has been taken, what other games would you like to see go open source? Which ones would you like to work on, purely as a fan contribution? What would you build into those worlds if you were given the chance?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Open source MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyan-worldsfan-projectmmo-industrymyst-onlinemyst-online-uru-liveopen-sourceopen-source-mmotdgthe-daily-grindSun, 14 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Myst Online goes fully open-source]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/myst-online-goes-fully-open-source/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/myst-online-goes-fully-open-source/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/myst-online-goes-fully-open-source/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As many know, Myst Online: URU Live has had an incredibly rocky road throughout its history. First sunsetted by Ubisoft, then by GameTap, URU's fans agreed to trying MORE (Myst Online Restoration Experiment) after Cyan Worlds got their IP back. Most recently in October, Cyan posted word that due to financial difficulties, URU and the entire MORE project would be placed on indefinite hold. Since then, nothing - until now.

In a startling move, Cyan Worlds has decided to release all of URU Live's assets to the public as open source. This includes the client and server architecture. Amazingly, they aren't simply releasing it into the wild and leaving it alone; Cyan has decided to hold one Myst Online server shard open for players to have a centralized world, despite the fact that others can now freely put up their own Myst Online servers.

It's a bold and daring move to open source a project of this scale. We applaud Cyan Worlds' dedication to their fans and love of their game to take a brave step like this, and wish all the URU users the best as they develop their worlds as they see fit. It's going to be really interesting to see how this develops.

MassivelyMyst Online goes fully open-source originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcyan-worldsmoremyst-onlinemyst-online-restoration-experimentmyst-online-uru-liveopen-sourceopen-source-mmoSat, 13 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you help run your favorite MMOG?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/25/the-daily-grind-would-you-help-run-your-favorite-mmog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/25/the-daily-grind-would-you-help-run-your-favorite-mmog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/25/the-daily-grind-would-you-help-run-your-favorite-mmog/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


What would you do if your favorite MMOG were suddenly sunsetted? That's a dilemma that's faced several different communities recently, with the closure of Mythos, Hellgate: London (only just saved from the fire, apparently) and Myst Online: URU Live. However, in the case of the last one, the project is being opened up so that users are able to create content moving forward, and that is what is expected to propel the project for the next while.

So this morning we ask you -- if your favorite game were suddenly shut down, but re-opened so that you could create content on an unpaid basis to help it survive (and maybe even flourish) would you do it? Or would you just move on to the next game?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you help run your favorite MMOG? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyan-worldsmystmyst-onlineplayer-developmentshut-downsunsettedtdgthe-daily-grinduru-liveFri, 25 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Could a survival horror MMO work?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/the-daily-grind-could-a-survival-horror-mmo-work/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/the-daily-grind-could-a-survival-horror-mmo-work/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/the-daily-grind-could-a-survival-horror-mmo-work/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Survival horror games like Silent Hill or Fatal Frame are fairly niche single player genres and that certainly has something to do with how they operate: scaring the bonkers out of people. While the big scares are certainly a high point within these games, it's the ever present sense of dread that makes the best of them truly horrifying. Some games like to give players terrible controls to heighten the scare factor, while others use forced camera angles. Yet this isn't the problem with transitioning them into MMO-form. The innate problem with making a horror MMO stems from the logical school of thinking that people probably don't want to be terrified for hours on end. Which is pretty reasonable when you think about it. Still, this isn't to say that a horror genre of some sort couldn't persist as a wonderful niche game like this within the greater MMO market.

The question we pose today dear readers is: Do you think a horror MMO of some sort could work? Also, roughly how would it work? Any tolerable MMO obviously can't be hours of radio noise followed up by wiggling, throbbing, convulsing aberrations popping out at you. Well it could be that, although somehow we doubt such a game would find much success. One possible idea is to borrow from Myst Online with a persistent world that favors puzzle-solving over combat situations. We kind of like that concept.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Could a survival horror MMO work? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fatal-framehorrormystmyst-onlinepuzzlesilent-hilluruuru-liveWed, 09 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The reasons why you need to play Myst Online: Uru Live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/the-reasons-why-you-need-to-play-myst-online-uru-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/the-reasons-why-you-need-to-play-myst-online-uru-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/the-reasons-why-you-need-to-play-myst-online-uru-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Shorah, readers! Kehnehn rahm b'yihm shehm!

Myst Online: Uru Live seems to be one game that not only continually gets the proverbial shaft, but also knows how to come back from the dead better than the Scourge of the Eastern Plaguelands. Ubisoft canned it, Cyan Worlds brought it back via a shard system in "Until Uru", GameTap brought it back officially, GameTap canned it after one season, and now Cyan Worlds is once again attempting to put life back into their only online Myst game thanks to the extremely active and vocal community.

Mike Fahey over at Kotaku might think Uru should die already, but this blogger is currently squealing in glee in his computer chair. In an attempt to pass the glee on to you, loyal readers of Massively.com, I've compiled not only what Myst Online: Uru Live is all about, but why you should turn your attention to this massive online adventure game.

Continue reading The reasons why you need to play Myst Online: Uru Live

MassivelyThe reasons why you need to play Myst Online: Uru Live originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyancyan-worldsfeaturedgametapjoystiqfeaturesmystmyst-onlinemyst-online-uru-liverelaunchubisoftuntil-uruuru-liveWed, 02 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The father of Myst weighs in on the closure of URU]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/the-father-of-myst-weighs-in-on-the-closure-of-uru/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/the-father-of-myst-weighs-in-on-the-closure-of-uru/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/the-father-of-myst-weighs-in-on-the-closure-of-uru/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rand Miller is probably one of the most influential game designers you've probably never heard of. He, along with his brother, co-founded the company Cyan Worlds. Cyan is the developer of the title Myst and subsequent titles in that series. With 12 million copies sold to date, the simple (but beautiful) point-and-click adventure game has impacted the public perception of videogames to an unprecedented degree. As you might imagine, Mr. Miller had a few things to say about the closure of the online version of Myst, URU Live.

The game ended its run earlier this week, with a touching farewell given by the Restoration Engineers. Julian Murdoch, of the Gamers with Jobs website, had a chance to chat with Mr. Miller to get his reaction on URU's closure. What resulted is a twenty minute conversation that touched on GameTap's decision to close the service, Miller's hopes for the MMO genre, and what the talented designer plans to do next with his life. If you're still looking for some closure about the closure, this is some of the best you're likely to get.

MassivelyThe father of Myst weighs in on the closure of URU originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-closuremystmyst-onlinemyst-online-uru-liverand-millersunseturu-liveFri, 11 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Restoration Engineers say goodbye to Uru Live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/the-restoration-engineers-say-goodbye-to-uru-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/the-restoration-engineers-say-goodbye-to-uru-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/the-restoration-engineers-say-goodbye-to-uru-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

It's official: Myst Online: Uru Live is dead. It was a complex, beautiful world and those who had the opportunity to experience it have come away all the richer. This blogger didn't, but has always been a fan of the Cyan Worlds aesthetic, and regrets not jumping into it when the opportunity arose.

As a final farewell to its explorers, the Restoration Engineers (Uru Live's version of Greeters) have recorded their thoughts on what it was like to work for the community every day, and how much fun the whole thing was. When it came time to say goodbye, one of them was obviously too moved to say more than 'thank you', and that was enough. Here's hoping that the creative minds behind it all find something new to put their hands to -- in a world filled with knockoffs and retreads, the universe of Myst was a true original.

MassivelyThe Restoration Engineers say goodbye to Uru Live originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcommunitycyan-worldsgoodbyegreetersmystmyst-onlinemyst-online-uru-liverestoration-engineersuru-liveThu, 10 Apr 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The Escapist wants you to consider Myst Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/the-escapist-on-myst-onlines-unique-narrative/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/the-escapist-on-myst-onlines-unique-narrative/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/the-escapist-on-myst-onlines-unique-narrative/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Storytelling in massively multiplayer games usually occurs only in footnotes. You might read a lore item's description here, get a hint in the quest text there, but it's almost always an ancillary part of the experience. In the olden days of text MUDs, that wasn't necessarily the case. In some MUDs, players and wizards engaged in communal storytelling, as in the best pen-and-paper roleplaying sessions.

If you look at today's mainstream online games, it seems as if that art has been lost. There are some smaller communities out there that still herald that kind of experience, though. The Escapist focused on one of those in an article titled "The Ending Has Not Yet Been Written." It's an excellent piece about how players and developers alike have fostered a unique, niche-storytelling experience in Cyan Worlds' Myst Online: Uru Live.

Myst has always been an eccentric in the gaming world. It was a groundbreaking success for computer games, and it spawned countless clones, but no one ever recaptured its magic. Now the series is treading a unique path in the online world, despite past setbacks.

MassivelyThe Escapist wants you to consider Myst Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyancyan-worldsmystmyst-onlineroleplayingstorytellingthe-escapisturuuru-liveTue, 06 Nov 2007 18:30:00 EST