Slashdot Mirror
Uru - Ages Beyond Myst Analyzed
Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to a CNN article discussing the comeback of Myst, in the form of Uru:Ages Beyond Myst. This real-time 3D adventure has been worked on for over 5 years at developer Cyan Worlds, and contrary to earlier impressions, evidently isn't an MMORPG in the conventional sense - the article says that "When it hits stores this fall, Uru will include a single-player mode that won't require an Internet connection. For a yet-to-be-determined monthly fee, players will be able to join others in the online version."
The Official Uru Website also has Wallpapers. On the UbiSoft E3 website there is a cool Trailer![2nd game down]
Cyan also runs a in character site. Its called the DRC, and without getting into too much detal, the DRC is an organization from within the Uru Story. There are more screen shots and even music that you can get from DRC Site.
There are many cool community sites, including MystCommunity. Cyan even releases some Open Source software from this website.
Looking at the screen shots this could be one of the most visualy inspiring games in a long time. If they can pull off this Hybrid MMOG way to gamming(you did RTFA didn't you?) it will be very cool.
There have been quite a few articles on Uru recently, to find most of them, just do a search on Google News
I remember Neocron had a single player mode as a tutorial. This is a good idea and I think it would be fun if a lot more MMORPGs had a single player mode.
Courage is fear holding on a minute longer. George Patton
I think the biggest problem with URU is that they gave up the first-person-perspective and went with a 3th person perspective. FPP was what made people feel like they are actually at another place. I'd be happy to explore hundreds of "ages" (levels) with a first person perspective - but with a 3PP, the game instantly feels like another episode of Leisure Suit Larry.
On the other hand, it's pretty difficult to create a multi-user-environment with FPP, because people don't always see each other. But Quake team matches have shown us that even with a FPP, people can develop a small relationship with each other.
I don't know how the money side of playing online is taken care of. I can imagine that a monthly fee is the easiest way to pay for playing online but a fixed price per minute seems more fair to me because when you have a very busy month and not much time to play you 'throw money away'. And playing online is not like a magazine that can be put away to be read later.
O, I must add: this looks to me like a very cool game and a worthy sequel to Excile.
-- Cheers!
From the article:
Uru has no economy, no swords or laser blasters, no knights in shining armor and absolutely no killing.
[...]
There's no game-over screen. Rather, the player's goal is to explore the vast worlds left behind by the now-extinct D'ni civilization and share what they've uncovered with others.
Lots of people complained that Myst was a slide show disguised as a game. Looks like they should steer clear of this one.
Also...
"In some ways the title itself -- 'u' 'r' 'u' -- we're trying to let you be yourself or anyone. You act as if what you would do if you were there," he said. "What would you be interested in exploring, what role, would kind of be the essence of things."
No swords, no economy, no killing... what's left? Looks like choice of roles will be rather limited. Wether this is better or worse that the everquest clones (Camelot, Asheron, Anarchy, etc) remains to be seen.
No sig
Phew. For a moment I thought my real life would be over at the end of this year...
Who'd have thought Cyan would become Microsoft whores, though?
GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
From the article: Uru is more akin to the casual online social experimentation offered by games like "The Sims Online" or "There" than the frenzied dragon-slaying addiction that fuels fans of "EverQuest" and its kin. How the heck am I supposed to google for "There"? Has anyone ever heard of this title?