Myst Creators Launch Kickstarter Project for New Game

Cyan Inc., the studio responsible for the classic games Myst and Riven, has taken to Kickstarter to begin a new project called Obduction, twenty years after the team launched the original Myst on CD-ROM. The game will be a real-time, first-person adventure powered by Epic's Unreal Engine 4 that draws on what made Myst and Riven so popular, providing a rich, immersive world that players want to explore, discover and solve.

"Cyan's all-new, real-time, first-person adventure that harkens back to the spirit of our earlier games Myst and Riven," the team states. "With Obduction we want to resurrect the feeling you had with Myst – finding yourself in the middle of a new world that you feel compelled to explore, discover, solve, and become part of."

The game begins with the player's abduction on a crystal clear, moon-lit night. A curious organic artifact drops from the sky, grabs the player, and travels across the "universes" to an unknown destination at an unknown time for an unknown reason. The player discovers a farmhouse – complete with a white picket fence – seated in the middle of an alien landscape. Why is it here? Naturally, to answer these questions, players will be required to explore everything and "read between the lines."

"Obduction will offer an experiential alternative to an audience that may want something different from the current crop of best sellers," states Rand Miller, co-founder of Cyan, Inc. "We've had so many requests lately from people looking for that same feeling of exploration that Myst provided 20 years ago, but with today's technology."

The Kickstarter project began on October 17 and will end on November 16 with the goal of reaching $1,100,000 USD in funds. Currently, the project has 28 days to go and has already reeled in 5,562 backers pledging $300,000 USD. There are ten levels of pledges, ranging from Morale Supporters donating $1 or more, to Experience Design at Cyan for pledging $10,000 or more. Naturally, the more investors pledge, the more goodies they receive in return.

"Obduction will be built with the same framework that made Cyan's earlier games such a wonderful experience: stunning landscapes, deep storyline, engaging characters, dramatic soundscapes, and challenging yet intuitive puzzles," reads the Kickstarter page. "Obduction is an entirely new property, delivered using one of the most powerful game development technologies available today. Obduction is an adventure game for the new millennium that stays true to the concepts that made the genre great."

To make a pledge, head to the Kickstarter page here. The official Obduction website can be found here.

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  • eodeo
    I'm looking forward to this!
    Reply
  • jhansonxi
    "The player discovers a farmhouse – complete with a white picket fence"
    Zork reference?
    Reply
  • soccerplayer88
    Always like a game that encourages the player to think.

    Chalk me up as another interested gamer. More power to you Cyan Inc!
    Reply
  • smeezekitty
    This is cool. I like adventure games
    Reply
  • Martell1977
    I owned Myst and hated the endings immensely! I almost bought the game "Pyst" when it came out but, despite the hilarity factor to it, never thought it would be worth the money.

    I still remember the box: "Pyst - 4 million people trashed the island, now it's your turn!"
    Reply
  • smeezekitty
    11748134 said:
    I owned Myst and hated the endings immensely! I almost bought the game "Pyst" when it came out but, despite the hilarity factor to it, never thought it would be worth the money.

    I still remember the box: "Pyst - 4 million people trashed the island, now it's your turn!"

    The ending is kind of on the disappointing side I agree.
    LOL @ Pyst. Never heard of that until now
    Reply
  • overclockingrocks
    A first person game based on Unreal engine 4 and made by the creator of Myst? YES PLEASE! now SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!
    Reply
  • tolham
    awesome. if they're willing to send backers a steam code, should the game get released on steam, I'll happily pledge money.
    Reply
  • cuecuemore
    I'm a bit surprised (though not at all displeased) at such a low initial goal, considering what an epic series it is they're reviving. Though, since it's UE4, they'll undoubtedly be able to achieve stunning visuals on whatever budget they choose. Can't wait to see the stretch goals!
    Reply
  • catswold
    Love the idea. To do it right, this will need to support multi-screen operation--that would be awesome.
    Reply