February 27, 2004
Exploration of D'ni Continues...
Check out: Beneath; the ongoing adventure of The Third Path.
Myst Obsession Opens!
Dan'ni announced on The Lyst: "What was one becomes two...For years URU Obsession has been a part of this community. Now it's time to take a step further. With great pride and pleasure we present to you the Myst Obsession Website! Just like URU Obsession was dedicated to collecting news and material about URU, Myst Obsession will be dedicated to the myst series and Ubi Soft's sequel to the Myst Series - Myst IV! Very soon we will start filling those pages with new and exciting content from Myst IV.Stay tuned! - Myst Obsession." Included is news on Myst IV! Thanks, Dan'ni!

February 26,2004
UbiSoft Drops The Matrix Online
In keeping with their apparent disdain for online games, UbiSoft has removed The Matrix Online from it's roster of games. The game will still be published, but not by UbiSoft. Read the complete article here.

February 25, 2004
"To D'ni" Expansion Pack Delayed
Randomos says: "The target date for the release of the first Uru: Ages Beyond Myst expansion pack has been moved out to mid-March. This reflects the need for a thorough and complete QA testing process, as well as preparation of the materials needed for the many European communities, both of which are taking longer than we'd anticipated. We apologize for the delay, but feel confident that the time taken now will enable us to launch the expansion pack simultaneously worldwide, with greater support. Thanks for your understanding."
He also included a list of what's in "To D'ni."
Mysterium Dates Announced
The Mysterium Committee has announced that July 23th-25th are the dates for the Mysterium 2004 in Toronto. Details will be posted at www.mysterium.net as they become available.
Uru Sound Nominated for Game Developers Choice Award
The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) today announced nominees for the 4th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, including Christopher L. Clanin and Tim Larkin for sound design in URU: AGES BEYOND MYST, in the category of Excellence in Audio. Congrats, guys!
Guild of Greeters Site Update
CAGrayWolf sent an email to TheLyst announcing enhancements to the Guild of Greeters website, including a new Live Chat.

February 24, 2004
Uru Sound and Light Gallery Opens
Included in the announcement is the complete list of winners and prizes. Congratulations to all of the winners!
Autographed Uru Resells
The autographed copy of Uru that E-Dog sold on eBay in November for $355 was just sold by the purchaser for $172.

February 23, 2004
"An Unplanned Death" by Fee
Longtime Beta tester Fee wrote an excellent editorial: "An Unplanned Death."
Several New Fan Videos Released
Check them out: Arowin's Video Deg's Video MrM3FaN's Video
Debut of D'ni raiders Group
Blue Max released a cool new website, still under development.
Interview with Rand in Article by MiamiHerald.com
Check it out here.
Comments from Kha'tie
This forst appeared on The Lyst, via Aquila, from Kha'tie, Myst Worlds Community Manager: "Well, I thought it's time that I chime in with an official response from Ubisoft. In the 24 hours since this thread began on the forums and the Lyst there has been a huge debate, and I have decided not to read through every post and every page, but to let you know where we at Ubisoft stand. Do what you will - if you want to get Uru X1, you know where to find it. ; )"
Followed not long after by: "I want to apologize for my poor wording in the email below ("you know where to find it"). This was a bad choice of words that was unintentional and I did not mean this to sound flip or sarcastic. I meant it honestly... that To D'ni free download will be hosted initially at Gigex and likely mirrored by many sites in days if not hours. I was passing on the message from Ubisoft and did not wish to fan any flames.
For the record, I'm as heartbroken about Uru Live as everyone if not more so, and also aggravated by any spyware that finds its way to my computer. I haven't spoken much about either because I'm waiting to see what will become
of both. I tend to keep hoping for the best, whenever and as long as I can. Ubisoft is continuing to investigate these concerns and if the host is changed we will let you know right away. Whether people decide to ease up on the Ubi-bashing remains to be seen. I can only keep hoping. ; ) Thanks for your understanding. ~ Kha'tie"

February 19, 2004
Winners Announced in the Uru Sound and Lights Contest
Randomos has posted this to the main Uru site. The four Second Prize winners were announced, but not the Grand Prize winner. None of the submissions were released.
The Boston Globe Examines the Demise of Online Games, Including Uru
Hiawatha Bray, Globe Staff, has written an excellent article, not only examining the closing of Uru, but also Microsoft's Mythica, to demonstrate the trend among gaming publishers that overestimate the demand for online versions of their games.

February 18, 2004
Release Date of "To D'ni" Expansion Pack Announced
Posted by randomos at http://mystworlds.ubi.com/US/:"The first Uru: Ages Beyond Myst expansion pack is now slated to be released the first week in March. The expansion pack will be free, and available at Gigex as a download (you must have first installed Uru: Ages Beyond Myst). Watch here for information about the final list of areas that will be included."

February 17, 2004
Stereo Pairs of Uru
Mowog has posted on the Uru Forum boards a cool gallery of stereo pairs.
Uru Article at DenverPost.com
David Thomas, Special to The Denver Post, has written an excellent article on Uru.
Safe Haven Fish Tanks Available!
Check out this site. The "testimonials" are the best.
"Choru" NDA Lifted
lonelyto25 has posted, at UruObsession.com, some really intersting info on Choru (an early testing phase of Uru), including some really cool screenshots. My favorite group is "bevin no textures" and "teledahn/no textures."

February 13, 2004
Post-UruLive Analysis at WiredNews
WiredNews has posted an interesting article on the closing of UruLive.
Nice Slide Show by "Mayor Soosi"
Soosi has posted "An Uru Book of Memories." It's very nice. Thanks, Soosi.

February 11, 2004
Uru Wins PC Gamer Adventure Game of the Year
From randomos on the main Uru site: "Uru: Ages Beyond Myst has been chosen by PC Gamer as Best Adventure Game of 2003! Congratulations to the dedicated team at Cyan Worlds, that is responsible for this exceptional creation. From PC Gamer (not yet available online): "...it's impossible to deny that Uru is an exhilirating innovation that allows you to solve environmental puzzles using authentic real-time physics and old-fashioned brain power."
Interesting Post at DRC Forum
Laxman posted the following: "OK - along these lines:
- Kirel is secure, including the stones.
- I've adjusted KI and Nexus features for minimal support while the Cavern is unoccupied. (Though, now of all times, the remote upgrade feature actually appears to be working.)
- As discussed, I'll be coordinating our surface rendez-vous. Last ship (so to speak) leaves at 5 PM today.
- There's nothing that can be done of course, but we were close. I so wanted to see the Zero calibrated and powered up. I feel like Moses who got to glimpse the promised land but was forbade entry. Others may succeed...perhaps we will see it.
One issue remains: I've heard that a certain someone is putting up quite a fuss about leaving. It's no surprise, really. The headache continues. I say leave him. I trust our security measures."

February 10, 2004
Uru Live Has Ended
AllMyst (SELRAHC986@aol.com) wrote to The Lyst: "The shutdown was on time. It's 12:00am EST. I just got booted from Uru Live and when I tried to get back on I got this message:
'Greetings,
Like all things must do in time, Uru Live has ended. It has been a great experience in many ways. We hope that you continue the adventures and friendships you have made during Live, and look forward to expansion packs to continue the story of Uru. From the entire team here at Ubi.com and Cyan, we thank you!
The Uru Live team.'"
Final Message from Zandi
Farlesis reported on the UruObsession Message Board that all messages from the DRC are gone from his KI, replaced with this:
"The gathered will tell the path of the shell. 33395/58/-81 -- Zandi"
Much has been made of these coordinates. The Guild of Cartographers is working on it now.

February 9, 2004
Interesting Post by Victor Laxman
On the DRC Site, Victor Laxman made the following post: "Just wanted to confirm: we simply won't be able to pull out all of our gear, nor do I think it desirable to do so. I want to hope that we would just need to bring it all back down one day. I also see no harm in leaving some basic systems online. Imager power consumption is negligible and mucking with the lattice at this point is a headache I don't need. The cavern fans are a debatable point. I vote to keep them running."
Ages of the D'ni Released
Kehrin, via the D'ni Desk Reference, has published an Ages of the D'ni list, a wonderful reference document. Thanks, Kehrin.
Uru Live Scrapbook Available
Aquila has posted to The Lyst an Uru Live Scrapbook, a chance to leave your thoughts and thanks. Thanks, Aquila.
Uru Live Role-Playing Area Opened
Darkest90 has established an Uru Live Role-Playing Area. Here's a brief description: "The Second Fall of D'ni has devastated us all. We have watched as the DRC concluded their affairs in the ancient city. Out of character, Cyan declared the Uru Live was coming to an end. The proclaimed ongoing story of Uru Live was a false notion; it has died when we least expected it to.
The D'ni Restoration Council are cleaning out the City, removing all those cones and blockades, getting ready to leave the ancient city of D'ni. The explorers who were led down by Yeesha and Zandi are packing their bags and shuffling out.
The notion of Uru Live dwindles.
Enter the Uru Live Role Playing Area. A forum dedicated to continue the idea of Uru Live.
What if the DRC didn't close the City, what if something miraculous occurred, giving them enough funds to continue their restoration? Call it a parallel universe, if you will, in which they did not leave.
This is a forum where you can create a character, as much the same as your avatar on Uru Live, and continue to participate in the ongoing storyline of Uru. Where you can immerse yourself even more into the game, effecting how things happen. Go see Douglas Sharper, the Shroom Baron, and help him out on Teledahn. Arrange an appointment with Dr. Kodama to let him decide what your faction deserves. Form groups, continue the legacy of the D'ni League of Activities or the Third Path. Explore new ages and make your own neighborhoods to gather at.
This is role playing. While the world of graphics of Uru Live has ended, the world of text is just beginning. A marvelous substitute that takes one thing away and gives back another.
Please check it out. At least look into it and see it for what it is, a living legacy of Uru Live."

February 6, 2004
Winner Announced in Website Referral Sweepstakes
William D. (btmancan in the Cavern, bttmancan in the forums) has won and gets every Ubisoft title for one year and a signed copy of Uru! Congrats!
The Age, in Australia, gives Uru 4 of 5 Stars!
Read the full review here.

February 5, 2004
CyanBill Describes the First Uru Expansion Pack
Bill Slease gave this description to the Uru Forum: "The first expansion is not empty in any sense of the word. From the point of view of the people who bought Uru but didn't play beta or prologue (the overwhelming majority), here's my rough count:
8 new Ages or significant areas
10 new puzzles
5 new Relto customizations (including 2 new technical features)
17 new pieces of clothing
43 new journals or monologues

For people who played beta or prologue:
4 new (small) Ages or significant areas you've never seen even if you hacked prime
10 new puzzles you haven't solved though 2 involve the marker system in a way that will be somewhat familiar
2 new Relto customizations you've never seen (including two new technical features)
4 new pieces of clothing
34 new journals or monologue"

Save Uru Live Petition
Alex Rich has written a "Save URU Live!" petition for UruObsession. Whether it helps or not, please sign it here.
Official Announcement from the DRC
Dr. Kodama has released an official announcement that the restoration effort has been cancelled.

February 4, 2004
Uru Live is Being Put to Bed
From Rand Miller:

Uru Live fans and friends,
Thank you so much for your continued support of the worlds that are Myst and Uru. It has truly been wonderful immersing ourselves along with you in the ongoing adventure, following your comments - good and bad - as you explored Uru Live.

I have some good news and some bad news.

First, the bad news...

Uru Live is being put to bed.

Even with all of the time, money, resources, code, people, sweat, and heart that were poured into Uru Live, we needed a certain number of subscribers to pay the bills. We didn't get there. Uru Live is innovative and unique; its online universe is one of the most beautiful and complex ever built, anywhere. The idea of ongoing content was dramatic and forward-looking, but it required a substantial continuing effort to sustain. We were just not able to sign up the number of subscribers (even for free) necessary to pay for that effort.

Now for the good news...

The soul of Uru Live will live larger.

The soul of Uru Live came in two parts: the community and the content. Both will live on. Nothing can kill the community - it has a life of its own. The Call and the Gathering of the community will continue. And the content - what can I say? We have it, large amounts of it, ready to expand the world of Uru. In the past weeks we've been hard at work packaging that content in a different, more inclusive form - expansion packs - the first of which will be available in a month or two. Even better, the first expansion pack, To D'ni, is free.

And there's more good news on inclusivity. I'm pleased to officially announce that the Mac version of Uru is finally under way.

It would be easy to focus on the negative aspects of this announcement. But we've grieved our loss, and with clearer minds we see things in a different light. The fact is that the continuing Uru adventure is amazing. The story and places it reaches are spectacular. And in the long run, we want as many people as possible to experience and explore these new worlds. The closing of Uru Live actually gives us the opportunity to open these expanding worlds to a larger audience, including those people without broadband. Only a small portion of the people who played Uru ever made it to D'ni in Uru Live.

Now everyone can get to D'ni - and beyond.

Again, perhaps the ending has not yet been written.

Shorah,
Rand and the Cyan Worlds Team

Final Chapter of Adventure Gamers' Uru Diaries Released
Jim Saighman has released the "third and final chapter of my URU Diaries." Here is a look at his overall rating: Score: 2.5 out of 5. Pros: Gorgeous graphics; some great classic Myst puzzling in half of the offline game. Cons: A lot of jumping and action elements; no gameplay or direction apparent in the online version; serious technical problems online. Bottom-line: Generally overpriced for the offline game, especially considering there's no actual game in the online "game."
UruObsession Releases Uru Wallpapers
UruObsession has posted several cool wallpapers on its downloads page. There are 9, each in 3 sizes: 1280x1024, 1024x768 and 800x600.
Phase Five Approval from the DRC for City Interior 0080
According to the Ages page, City Interior 0080 has been approved for Phase Five, Q2004. Here's their synopsis: "The Kadish store is a mix-match of artifacts collected from both D’ni artisans as well as outsider artisans before the Fall. Though the store has been in dis-repair for hundreds of years the DRC cleaned it up a bit before opening it. As a result, most of its artifacts are clearly visible and presentable for perusing." Also, a note on the Ages page for Eder Gira holds a tantalizing tidbit: "The actual Age of Eder Gira is much larger than the portion that will be released to the public initially."

February 1, 2004
Venalem Age Suspended
According the the DRC Ages page, the Venalem Age has been suspended ("Venalem - 3/2001 - Recommend suspension - environmental ramifications not known).