Myst sequel Uru goes offline – Game selling well, but too few subscribed to online version

The company behind the groundbreaking computer game "Myst" pulled the plug this week on an online version of its new sequel, "Uru."

Cyan Worlds Inc. of Spokane had hoped that "Uru Live" would lure enough players willing to pay a monthly fee that it could afford to continuously update the game with new content. Even though the material was free initially, too few people signed up, Cyan’s co-founder Rand Miller said in a message on the company’s Web site.

Associated Press

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/news-story.asp?date=020704&ID=s1484574&cat=section.business

Miller had estimated Cyan needed 100,000 subscribers willing to pay somewhere between $10 to $15 per month to make a profit on the new content. But analysts had warned that online subscription gaming had few successes beyond the dragon-slaying game "Everquest."

"The idea of ongoing content was dramatic and forward-looking, but it required a substantial continuing effort to sustain," Miller said.

However, enough new content for "Uru" has been created that it will be sold as expansion packs for the game, Miller said. The first will be free, and available in the next month or two, he said.

Cyan executives have said the single-player version of the game, which costs $49, is selling well.

Privately held Cyan spent five years and more than $12 million to make the virtual world of "Uru," which was released shortly before Christmas. "Uru" is more sophisticated visually than previous Cyan games like "Myst," "Riven" and "Exile," with characters moving in real time through surreally beautiful landscapes.

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.

Miller said a Macintosh version of "Uru" is being created.