While on the topic of Cyan... I can't wait for Myst V to be released *squeals*
Also, I have been on the new Until Uru server for about... 12 hours straight now. It's absolutely fantastic. The people are great, and Uru is so nice when you have help to call on.
Can't wait for the extra content that true Uru Live will bring *double squeal*
Originally posted by theanimedude While on the topic of Cyan... I can't wait for Myst V to be released *squeals
Dare I ask where you are that Myst V isn't released yet? In the United States, "Myst V: End of Ages" hit retail shelves on September 20, 2005. It ought to be everywhere by now.
Edit: Back on topic, I thought I should mention that anyone who wants to see some of the visuals from Uru in motion can check out the URLs in my signature below; Unwritten and Gorahyantee are Uru "Machinima" music videos set to Natasha Bedingfield and Coldplay songs, respectively.
Glad to see some of my fellow explorers in here. I have been with the Myst and Uru community for a LONG time. It has been quite an experience. For you guys that are more used to the combat based MMORPG's, Uru takes some getting used to. Ok, I'll describe it the best I can. Imagine your favorite sci fi or fantasy TV serial, but imagine you've just been thrown in the the middle of it. When a new world is found, you and some of your friends go and unlock the secrets left dormant in that world. There are actors, just like in SWG or WOW, but instead of showing up for events that are few and far between, the game is heavily based on regular visits by these characters, and in some instances, they began to build a personal relationship with you. In other words, you can become entrenched in the actual storyline, and you don't have to be a high level anything.....in fact there are no such limits! And the visuals, my god! Trust me, when you go and see the Great Zero (ancient device) for the first time, it totally blows your mind.
To me, when I've tried games like WOW or SWG or MxO, their emphasis on "storyline" is rather vague and lacks any real substance. But in Uru, let's say an actor you've grown close to dies or vanishes mysteriously, it effects not only you, but changes everyone and the world around them. There was a time when an actor, malcontent with the barriers set up in the underground city, decided to gather a bunch of explorers (i.e. players) and lead a revolt of sorts. He had everyone start slamming on the barriers, and broke them down, effectively opening a new area to explore and hang out in. I also got into a snapping match with this character when our views conflicted. That's the point of story in Uru: to pretend that the events of the Myst games are actually based in fact, and to immerse yourself in the unfolding drama and adventure. Whether you decide to play in character or not, they just want you to be you.....U-R-U...get it? Each of us are great characters in our own sense.
Cyan Worlds is all about telling fantastic stories. And about building communities. You make real friends in Uru. Not people that scream at you for "more dots!" People that will sit down with you and talk about where you come from, you customs, what you get from Uru. People that are artists, engineers, you name it. People who will share new discoveries, solve puzzles with you, and even share in the danger. Since I've played, I've discovered a race of creatures that are watching us from the shadows, thier cries echoing out when I least expect it. A close friend (actor) met an untimely fate, when an explosion rocked the city, as explorers looked on. Be sure to remember, if you try Until Uru (the free online community) it has no new content. It's more like a 3d chat for now with worlds to visit and solve. Uru Live will be the NEW and regularly updated content driven game. I hope you guys decide to join us.
i step in the line of all the novice members that uru brings here. i am loking further into this. i think uru-live brings fresh wind to the morpg scene, where one clone hit another.
Finally a game that's not all about shooting and killing. I can't believe there aren't more games like this around. There are millions of people who love playing non-violent games.
I can't help but notice so many novice members joining the forum. Could a game like URU Live be bringing a new community of players to the MMORPG world?
It occurs to me while playing in the Until URU servers that I run into a lot of older players... a demographic that I would bet is rare in the MMORPG world. Many are seniors (a huge market) whom might otherwise have fewer recreational activities available to them as they get older. Imagine having travel and exploration of interesting worlds available from your living room?
I read an article by Laura McDonald (some know her as Gatorlaw), about online gaming by physically disabled players. There was another by a woman confined to a wheelchair that expounded her joy at being able to run and jump again with friends from all over the world. I'll see if I can find a link for them.
I think something special is going on here with URU Live.
There was another by a woman confined to a wheelchair that expounded her joy at being able to run and jump again with friends from all over the world. I'll see if I can find a link for them. Dadguy
Pepsi and Aquilla are memorialized above a gathering of explorers in a video put together by the mysterious "The Hidden", who helped keep the Uru community active and working together solving riddles through the autumn and fall of 2005. Nothing quite brings people together like giving them a common goal to acheive.
Frankly, I am surprised that Uru Live is being resurrected. That said, I am thrilled that it is! This is not only good news for Myst/URU fans, but for the PC gamining industry as a whole. The industry needs games like Uru Live to ensure that the PC gaming market doesn't become overly "niched". I, for one, can't wait.
Originally posted by Toriauru My first post here ... a full copy of Deux Ex, Invisible War. I'm going to try it, but I'm not sure I'll like it, after being used to the Myst style of games.
My first post here too... again very excited about Uru Live and came here via urulive.com! I was in the Prologue which never went Live and it was amazing ... to the point where it was truly heartbreaking that it didn't work out first time around. Apart from the Myst series i'm very much a First Person Shooter person, but i can't stand games with any kind of combat online - it seems a waste of the 'connection' to me, whereas connecting with other people to really think about and share nothing but knowledge and experience of the story and world in Uru gives the whole concept real positive meaning i feel.
btw, the original Deux Ex game is much, much better than Deux Ex, Invisible War i think ... i really believed the story in Deux Ex, and it seemed amazingly natural to progress and choose what weapon upgrades and bio-mods (usually all a bit much for me) i needed along the way.
Quite a nice interview there, glad to see Uru Live is finally getting its day in the sun as it should have recieved 2 years ago. I'd definatly recommend checking out Until Uru the D'mala Shard is free you can get an invite from an existing member.
I'm not too hip to MMPOGMOOGP's [sorry] but if hunting cyclops or the like is your thing... this may not be.
The setting is the real world, in a recently discovered ancient city deep underground and you are you (uru) in the cavern. It is based on the classic Myst/Riven games. Exploration, problem solving, puzzles and an incredible unfolding story is what excites me most about it. Plus, a lot of us have made great friends and look forward to hanging out in the city in Until URU.
Having played the entire Myst series and having been a part of the original Uru prologue two years ago, this is something I've been looking forward to for a long time.
Don't get me wrong... killing giant ant lions is fun (and I've put down my share) but this will be something new and unique. It probably won't feel like any thing you've played before if you're not Myst-initiated.
So, all I can say is give it a try - you may be pleasantly surprised and end up using parts of your brain most "games" don't force you to access. Uh, but it's not a game... it's real... and U-R-U.
The really cool thing is the meeting of people I find, in the cavern. It makes the single player games seem "lonely" somehow. There are some Real Life Gatherings of people too, like the upcoming Mysterium meet up in Spokane, and the meetup in July in Melbourne, Australia called Mystralia.
I do think that the ages of the fans are a wider gamut than your average MMORPG. Is that about right? Like more 40 to 60 years old people, I mean.
Glad to see this article. I've never played URU but I *really* enjoyed Myst and Riven. I would definitely give this a try. I signed up for beta and am going to look into getting my hands on Until Uru.
First, Cyan's already given some indication of how it will start. There will be 50 beta testers in the first round. As the system becomes more stable and fewer defects are found, the beta will expand, until Cyan is ready for a stress test and lets in a flood of beta testers for the final round.
Cyan has made substantial changes to the Uru engine; they've ripped out the original physics engine (mainly due to the price Havok was asking for continuing to license it) and have replaced it with another. They've had to recode a number of things to make things work "the same way they used to" with the new physics engine. Therefore, the earliest beta testers can expect something of a rough time. If you're beta testing, you will encounter problems. You will experience instabilities. Your responsibility is to find and report these problems.
Also, don't expect a story during beta. Cyan will want to keep that secret until launch.
Last but not least, beta testers will almost undoubtedly need to sign NDAs. That's "Non-Disclosure Agreements." Once you're a beta tester, you can't tell your non-beta friends about your experiences. You have to keep quiet; you'll be in on some secrets and you'll have to keep them secret.
I've signed up for beta because I am prepared to assume the above responsibilities and help Cyan to make Uru Live a success. It is a way for me to contribute. I want to caution and remind people that they shouldn't sign up because "Oh hey, this is cool." Know what you're getting into.
The cool will arrive in due time, when the game formally launches.
First, Cyan's already given some indication of how it will start. There will be 50 beta testers in the first round. As the system becomes more stable and fewer defects are found, the beta will expand, until Cyan is ready for a stress test and lets in a flood of beta testers for the final round.
Cyan has made substantial changes to the Uru engine; they've ripped out the original physics engine (mainly due to the price Havok was asking for continuing to license it) and have replaced it with another. They've had to recode a number of things to make things work "the same way they used to" with the new physics engine. Therefore, the earliest beta testers can expect something of a rough time. If you're beta testing, you will encounter problems. You will experience instabilities. Your responsibility is to find and report these problems.
Also, don't expect a story during beta. Cyan will want to keep that secret until launch.
Last but not least, beta testers will almost undoubtedly need to sign NDAs. That's "Non-Disclosure Agreements." Once you're a beta tester, you can't tell your non-beta friends about your experiences. You have to keep quiet; you'll be in on some secrets and you'll have to keep them secret.
I've signed up for beta because I am prepared to assume the above responsibilities and help Cyan to make Uru Live a success. It is a way for me to contribute. I want to caution and remind people that they shouldn't sign up because "Oh hey, this is cool." Know what you're getting into.
The cool will arrive in due time, when the game formally launches.
Thanks, I got it. I've beta tested before, and I actually report bugs and make suggestions. I have a computer science background, and worked as a programmer and QA and am now a design analyst. I'd take it seriously. But me thinking this is "cool" still stands, and will be an added bonus. Why else would I do the hard work for free???? *winks*
Originally posted by ladylore Thanks, I got it. I've beta tested before, and I actually report bugs and make suggestions. I have a computer science background, and worked as a programmer and QA and am now a design analyst. I'd take it seriously. But me thinking this is "cool" still stands, and will be an added bonus. Why else would I do the hard work for free???? *winks*
That's great to know . Just so you know, my note about beta testing wasn't directed specifically back to you. I just felt that it was a good time to mention what beta testing is really about, as I'm pretty new to these forums and I don't know how serious or well-informed the average MMORPG.com visitor might be.
Yeah, one thing I'll point out is that even if you sign up for the beta, you won't get a confirmation email saying "You're accepted!" That email saying that, won't arrive until they are actually asking for you. Included with it, will be a NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement). That means you can't brag about being accepted into beta at all, because you're breaking the agreement
Man, am I checking my mailbox obsessively or what?
In the past I would have been checking my email in a frenzy waiting for confirmation that I am in, this time seems to be different, proberbly because I have lots to do >.<
Beta testing originally was so cool, proberbly the best experience (aside from meeting my fiance) that I have had in the Myst Community.
Actually, that's a good point to bring the fact that 3 couples, so far, have met, fallen in love, and married because of the game. WooT! How exciting to hear that friends are getting married, because they met in URU. Lovely, indeed. TweAk and K. will next I guess.
I'm full on prying to get into the Beta this time around, I missed out on the first beta which was bad enough, but i did play the prologue (The free Uru Live before it got cancelled, but very small bits and pieces got released story etc) and after playing that knowing I'm missing the beta will be torcher.
I was not prepared for just how good it was going to be, it was outstanding, met loads of people from around the world, was luckily involved in a acted scene where a character got trapped in a collapse.
I was devastated when it all got cancelled, can't wait to get back to a fully supported Uru Live
The fact that a game this unique can be revived gives me a glimmer of faith in the gaming industry. A lack of risk taking has held the industry back in terms of innovative gameplay, and this revival runs against that grain. Uru has the potential to be a leader in the development of new models for multiplayer gaming. This is a promising development.
Comments
Marten,
Nice post. I was at the Takota Alley on Feb 12th, 2004 at midnight during URU Prologue. Quite an emotional night!
Equally emotional to have the game returning! I just love the feel and SOUNDS of URU. Can't wait to see what they do with it!
I have so many international friends that I am hoping to reconnect with.
See you online!
Dadguy
While on the topic of Cyan... I can't wait for Myst V to be released *squeals*
Also, I have been on the new Until Uru server for about... 12 hours straight now. It's absolutely fantastic. The people are great, and Uru is so nice when you have help to call on.
Can't wait for the extra content that true Uru Live will bring *double squeal*
Edit: Back on topic, I thought I should mention that anyone who wants to see some of the visuals from Uru in motion can check out the URLs in my signature below; Unwritten and Gorahyantee are Uru "Machinima" music videos set to Natasha Bedingfield and Coldplay songs, respectively.
Machinima music videos
http://www.machinima.com/films.php?id=2310
http://www.machinima.com/films.php?id=2382
Glad to see some of my fellow explorers in here. I have been with the Myst and Uru community for a LONG time. It has been quite an experience. For you guys that are more used to the combat based MMORPG's, Uru takes some getting used to. Ok, I'll describe it the best I can. Imagine your favorite sci fi or fantasy TV serial, but imagine you've just been thrown in the the middle of it. When a new world is found, you and some of your friends go and unlock the secrets left dormant in that world. There are actors, just like in SWG or WOW, but instead of showing up for events that are few and far between, the game is heavily based on regular visits by these characters, and in some instances, they began to build a personal relationship with you. In other words, you can become entrenched in the actual storyline, and you don't have to be a high level anything.....in fact there are no such limits! And the visuals, my god! Trust me, when you go and see the Great Zero (ancient device) for the first time, it totally blows your mind.
To me, when I've tried games like WOW or SWG or MxO, their emphasis on "storyline" is rather vague and lacks any real substance. But in Uru, let's say an actor you've grown close to dies or vanishes mysteriously, it effects not only you, but changes everyone and the world around them. There was a time when an actor, malcontent with the barriers set up in the underground city, decided to gather a bunch of explorers (i.e. players) and lead a revolt of sorts. He had everyone start slamming on the barriers, and broke them down, effectively opening a new area to explore and hang out in. I also got into a snapping match with this character when our views conflicted. That's the point of story in Uru: to pretend that the events of the Myst games are actually based in fact, and to immerse yourself in the unfolding drama and adventure. Whether you decide to play in character or not, they just want you to be you.....U-R-U...get it? Each of us are great characters in our own sense.
Cyan Worlds is all about telling fantastic stories. And about building communities. You make real friends in Uru. Not people that scream at you for "more dots!" People that will sit down with you and talk about where you come from, you customs, what you get from Uru. People that are artists, engineers, you name it. People who will share new discoveries, solve puzzles with you, and even share in the danger. Since I've played, I've discovered a race of creatures that are watching us from the shadows, thier cries echoing out when I least expect it. A close friend (actor) met an untimely fate, when an explosion rocked the city, as explorers looked on. Be sure to remember, if you try Until Uru (the free online community) it has no new content. It's more like a 3d chat for now with worlds to visit and solve. Uru Live will be the NEW and regularly updated content driven game. I hope you guys decide to join us.
I can't help but notice so many novice members joining the forum. Could a game like URU Live be bringing a new community of players to the MMORPG world?
It occurs to me while playing in the Until URU servers that I run into a lot of older players... a demographic that I would bet is rare in the MMORPG world. Many are seniors (a huge market) whom might otherwise have fewer recreational activities available to them as they get older. Imagine having travel and exploration of interesting worlds available from your living room?
I read an article by Laura McDonald (some know her as Gatorlaw), about online gaming by physically disabled players. There was another by a woman confined to a wheelchair that expounded her joy at being able to run and jump again with friends from all over the world. I'll see if I can find a link for them.
I think something special is going on here with URU Live.
Dadguy
Pepsi and Aquilla are memorialized above a gathering of explorers in a video put together by the mysterious "The Hidden", who helped keep the Uru community active and working together solving riddles through the autumn and fall of 2005. Nothing quite brings people together like giving them a common goal to acheive.
The Hidden's "Underneath" video
Machinima music videos
http://www.machinima.com/films.php?id=2310
http://www.machinima.com/films.php?id=2382
In Marten's link I found the URU Greeters Stories:
Greeters Stories
If you go to Page 3, you'll find Pepsi's wonderful story about the thrill of running and jumping again.
I found the other stories very nice also.
Cheers,
Dadguy
Frankly, I am surprised that Uru Live is being resurrected. That said, I am thrilled that it is! This is not only good news for Myst/URU fans, but for the PC gamining industry as a whole. The industry needs games like Uru Live to ensure that the PC gaming market doesn't become overly "niched". I, for one, can't wait.
btw, the original Deux Ex game is much, much better than Deux Ex, Invisible War i think ... i really believed the story in Deux Ex, and it seemed amazingly natural to progress and choose what weapon upgrades and bio-mods (usually all a bit much for me) i needed along the way.
Quite a nice interview there, glad to see Uru Live is finally getting its day in the sun as it should have recieved 2 years ago.
I'd definatly recommend checking out Until Uru the D'mala Shard is free you can get an invite from an existing member.
The setting is the real world, in a recently discovered ancient city deep underground and you are you (uru) in the cavern. It is based on the classic Myst/Riven games. Exploration, problem solving, puzzles and an incredible unfolding story is what excites me most about it. Plus, a lot of us have made great friends and look forward to hanging out in the city in Until URU.
Having played the entire Myst series and having been a part of the original Uru prologue two years ago, this is something I've been looking forward to for a long time.
Don't get me wrong... killing giant ant lions is fun (and I've put down my share) but this will be something new and unique. It probably won't feel like any thing you've played before if you're not Myst-initiated.
So, all I can say is give it a try - you may be pleasantly surprised and end up using parts of your brain most "games" don't force you to access. Uh, but it's not a game... it's real... and U-R-U.
See you in the cavern!
-Est'eban
I do think that the ages of the fans are a wider gamut than your average MMORPG. Is that about right? Like more 40 to 60 years old people, I mean.
URU lives! Mystralia date set for July 29/30 http://www.mystralia.com for details.
A few words about the Uru Live beta:
First, Cyan's already given some indication of how it will start. There will be 50 beta testers in the first round. As the system becomes more stable and fewer defects are found, the beta will expand, until Cyan is ready for a stress test and lets in a flood of beta testers for the final round.
Cyan has made substantial changes to the Uru engine; they've ripped out the original physics engine (mainly due to the price Havok was asking for continuing to license it) and have replaced it with another. They've had to recode a number of things to make things work "the same way they used to" with the new physics engine. Therefore, the earliest beta testers can expect something of a rough time. If you're beta testing, you will encounter problems. You will experience instabilities. Your responsibility is to find and report these problems.
Also, don't expect a story during beta. Cyan will want to keep that secret until launch.
Last but not least, beta testers will almost undoubtedly need to sign NDAs. That's "Non-Disclosure Agreements." Once you're a beta tester, you can't tell your non-beta friends about your experiences. You have to keep quiet; you'll be in on some secrets and you'll have to keep them secret.
I've signed up for beta because I am prepared to assume the above responsibilities and help Cyan to make Uru Live a success. It is a way for me to contribute. I want to caution and remind people that they shouldn't sign up because "Oh hey, this is cool." Know what you're getting into.
The cool will arrive in due time, when the game formally launches.
Machinima music videos
http://www.machinima.com/films.php?id=2310
http://www.machinima.com/films.php?id=2382
Long live Cyan!
Hopefully, we'll see each other in the beta.
Machinima music videos
http://www.machinima.com/films.php?id=2310
http://www.machinima.com/films.php?id=2382
Man, am I checking my mailbox obsessively or what?
URU lives! Mystralia date set for July 29/30 http://www.mystralia.com for details.
In the past I would have been checking my email in a frenzy waiting for confirmation that I am in, this time seems to be different, proberbly because I have lots to do >.<
Beta testing originally was so cool, proberbly the best experience (aside from meeting my fiance) that I have had in the Myst Community.
URU lives! Mystralia date set for July 29/30 http://www.mystralia.com for details.
I'm full on prying to get into the Beta this time around, I missed out on the first beta which was bad enough, but i did play the prologue (The free Uru Live before it got cancelled, but very small bits and pieces got released story etc) and after playing that knowing I'm missing the beta will be torcher.
I was not prepared for just how good it was going to be, it was outstanding, met loads of people from around the world, was luckily involved in a acted scene where a character got trapped in a collapse.
I was devastated when it all got cancelled, can't wait to get back to a fully supported Uru Live
*goes back to watch my inbox*
-Lynx-
>>>www.EyeDE.co.uk<<<|>>>EyeDE's DeviantART<<<
Understanding is a three edged sword. Your side, their side, and the truth.
The fact that a game this unique can be revived gives me a glimmer of faith in the gaming industry. A lack of risk taking has held the industry back in terms of innovative gameplay, and this revival runs against that grain. Uru has the potential to be a leader in the development of new models for multiplayer gaming. This is a promising development.
What deserves to be done, deserves to be "well" done...