How Myst Almost Couldn't Run on CD-ROM | War Stories | Ars Technica

Summary

Rand Miller, co-creator of 'Myst', reflects on the game's development challenges, from budget and time constraints to the technical limitations of CD-ROMs. He shares the evolution of Cyan, the company he founded with his brother, from simple text-based games to the immersive world of 'Myst'. Miller discusses the innovative use of 3D rendering and the meticulous planning required for seamless gameplay. Despite the odds, 'Myst' became a massive success, influencing the gaming industry and inspiring a new generation of indie developers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rand Miller, co-creator of 'Myst', reflects on the immense pressure and challenges of creating the game while facing real-world limitations of CD-ROM technology.
• 🎮 Miller's early gaming experiences with a lunar lander game on a text-based interface sparked his lifelong passion for gaming and game development.
• ✅ The founding of Cyan, the company behind 'Myst', was influenced by the brothers' desire to create under an open-ended name, allowing for diverse creative pursuits.
• 🔄 The transition from creating 'The Manhole' to 'Cosmic Osmo' showcased the evolution of interactive storytelling and world-building in game design.
• 💾 The innovative use of HyperCard for game development allowed for a more interactive and immersive experience, setting the stage for 'Myst'.
• 🌐 'Myst' was designed to be a non-violent, exploration-based game, focusing on puzzle-solving and narrative depth rather than traditional game mechanics.
• 💿 The game's development was constrained by the slow data transfer rates of early CD-ROM technology, requiring careful optimization of assets.
• 🎨 The artistic and technical challenges of rendering 'Myst' in full color and creating a seamless experience on early Macintosh computers were significant.
• 📈 Despite initial doubts, 'Myst' achieved unprecedented success, selling multiple millions of copies and becoming a cultural phenomenon.
• 🔄 The success of 'Myst' paved the way for a more story-driven and integrated sequel, 'Riven', and a resurgence of indie game development in the industry.

Q & A

Who is Rand Miller and what is his connection to the game 'Myst'?

Rand Miller is the co-creator of the game 'Myst'. He and his brother Robyn formed Cyan, the company that developed 'Myst'.

What was Rand Miller's first gaming experience?

Rand Miller's first gaming experience was playing a lunar lander game on a computer in junior high, which had no graphics and only displayed text.

What inspired Rand Miller and his brother to form Cyan?

Rand Miller and his brother were inspired to form Cyan after a college friend showed Rand the magic of computer games and the possibility of creating his own.

What was the first project Cyan worked on?

The first project Cyan worked on was 'The Manhole', which started as an interactive book concept but evolved into creating a world.

How did 'Cosmic Osmo' come to be?

'Cosmic Osmo' was an evolution from 'The Manhole', where Cyan learned more about their platform, HyperCard, and pushed the boundaries of what they could achieve with it.

What was the technological limitation that 'Myst' had to overcome?

The technological limitation 'Myst' had to overcome was the new and relatively slow CD-ROM technology, which had streaming rates of 150K per second and significant seek times.

How did Rand Miller and his team address the problem of CD-ROM speed for 'Myst'?

They addressed the CD-ROM speed problem by organizing images in close proximity on the disc, using 8-bit images with compression to reduce size, and carefully placing music and sound effects to minimize seek times.

What was the initial reaction to 'Myst' when it was released?

The initial reaction to 'Myst' was overwhelmingly positive. It quickly sold multiple millions of copies and remained on the top 10 charts for years.

What lessons did Rand Miller learn from the development of 'Myst' that influenced the creation of 'Riven'?

Rand Miller learned the importance of integrating story and puzzles more deeply into the game world, which led to a more immersive and historically connected experience in 'Riven'.

How has the gaming industry changed from the time 'Myst' was created to the present, according to Rand Miller?

Rand Miller observes that the gaming industry has shifted from a place where only large corporations could fund game development to a resurgence of indie developers, thanks to the internet and downloadable content.

What is Rand Miller's current project, and how is it funded?

Rand Miller's current project is 'Firmament', which is funded through Kickstarter, allowing him and his team to return to their indie roots without depending on a publisher.