Myst Online is back again
by Ian Watson on Feb.14, 2010, under Uncategorized
The important part for those of you reading a summary via a feed: it’s free.
I’m torn between describing the history of the Myst/Uru franchise and why this is important, and describing the in-character historical backdrop against which Uru plays out.
In brief, this is the second time Uru has returned, and may be the first time any MMO has gone open-source. Prior knowledge of the Myst series is useful, but not necessary. You just have to like puzzles.
Uru takes place on Earth in the present. “Uru” has its origins in the Sumerian, and connotes “deep city.” There’s a happy coincidence that the name spells out “you are you,” as many people make avatars representative of themselves. There are no orcs or elves here.
Not long ago, a group of explorers uncovered the remains of an ancient civilization in an immense cave beneath the New Mexico desert. The city – and its civilization – were called the D’ni. The main characters of the other Myst series were the last remnants of this civilization. The explorers wanted to restore the city and founded the “D’ni Restoration Council.” Many individuals (the players) felt a “calling” to join them, and thus find themselves in the New Mexico desert. But Yeesha, last of the D’ni, may not be dead, and may have different goals in mind for the restoration.
Anything else would be spoiling things. You’ll do best to find out for yourself. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
If you want an invite code, which will put you in the same Neighbourhood as me so we can find each other faster, I’ll be happy to help out.
May 29th, 2010 on 6:02 pm
I’ll take a neighborhood/invite code. I actually have Uru in a box on the shelf as well as the books and the other games.
May 29th, 2010 on 8:58 pm
Until I swapped to first person, the game handled like a drunken monkey on crank. It seems like the train requires two people in order to get to the lower ladder. Am I able to swap ki’s or whatever and join your neighborhood with the invite code still or do I have to murder my current character?
May 29th, 2010 on 11:59 pm
You can still join my neighborhood once you’ve created a character. What train? Are you in Er’cana? While there are a few sections of the game which require another explorer, Er’cana can be done entirely with one person.
When you’re inside the facility, hit the button to send the train away, and then immediately walk backwards until you’re past the gate.
May 30th, 2010 on 11:37 pm
Yeah, thanks, I figured that out with the fast backing up and I figured out Er’cana. Right now, I am playing with 2 other guys. Three heads are better than one.
My neighborhood is DRC(1270), username is Pilfer.
We’ve knocked out the fungi age, the surface cleft, the tree age is one that only I have completed and it took me a day’s worth of cataloging the stained glass, Er’cana, and the Maintainers’ Age.