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Cyan cuts deal with Legendary to create a TV series based on Myst

Above: Myst was one of the most popular computer games of all time.

Image Credit: Cyan Worlds

Cyan Worlds has signed a deal with TV show maker Legendary to develop the Myst video game into a TV series.

Spokane, Wash.-based developer Cyan is still run by Rand Miller, the co-creator of Myst. Few games have been as popular and beloved as Myst, which has sold more than 15 million copies, counting all of its sequels. It has a direct brand awareness with 40 million players, and Myst was the No. 1 computer game of the 20th century. Its sequel, Riven, was the No. 4 bestselling computer game of the 20th century, and both games are still in the top 10 bestselling computer games of all time.

The game series included Myst, Riven, three additional sequels, and Myst Online: Uru. There were three bestselling Myst novels, and now the franchise may finally see its debut on television.

Cyan is teaming with Legendary Television & Digital Media because it believes that it is now possible to express the Myst world in a visual linear medium, said Blake Lewin, the vice president of business development at Cyan.

Legendary also has a record of building amazing entertainment that reaches a larger audience, and it is possible to link the TV show to new kinds of transmedia.

“Cyan’s goal in working with Legendary is not just to create a compelling TV drama but to develop a true transmedia product that will include a companion video game that extends the story across both media,” Lewin said. “With 70 percent of tablet owners using their device while watching TV, Cyan sees the potential to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling to a new level.”

Myst, co-created by brothers Rand Miller and Robyn Miller, debuted in 1993 on the Mac OS as one of the first games on the CD-ROM disc format. Cyan is currently building an entirely new place to explore with a title dubbed Obduction.

 


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105 comments
Mark Gerlach
Mark Gerlach

How do we stop this misogynistic series from being made? "Riven: The Sequel to Myst" is a sexist video game in that it utilizes the damsel-in-distress mechanism. Catherine is held captive throughout the game, trading the disempowerment of the female character for the empowerment of the player. I know the player is unisex, which doesn't necessarily make it overtly misogynistic; however, it is still objectification and victimization in terms of Catherine being a prize that the player has to win for another patriarchy figure (Atrus).

Myst IV: Revelation also deplorably uses the trope applied Yeasha. The other games are also sexist because of the lack of strong female characters (or female characters in general).

The fact that the first game was practically made in a garage does not excuse the misogyny. The fact that Catherine and Anna were written as strong female leads (that saved Atrus's life) in the companion books does not excuse the misogyny in Riven.

garsvoir
garsvoir

@dosaag @VentureBeat SIM! Eu postei alguma noticia dessas essa semana no face, mas tem boatos disso a anos, e nunca fazem o negócio!

SpawnedOverlord
SpawnedOverlord

@cyanworlds please don't screw up the myst tv show. Granted it's better than a movie. Stay true to the source material.

Michael Ball
Michael Ball

I pray this stays true to the series canon.

SalvoLudus
SalvoLudus

@cyanworlds I think I might be more excited about what this means for Cyan as a company than the TV show itself.

Smashmello
Smashmello

@cyanworlds oh my god. I cant describe how much Id love that :D I demand a rand miller cameo though :P

SalvoLudus
SalvoLudus

@cyanworlds When I clicked the link and read the headline, I got such a rush of excitement I started shaking. Amazing news!

iWaffles
iWaffles

@cyanworlds @joeldev this was the first video game that I played as a child that scared the crap out of me in my damp dark basement as a 5yo

westpier
westpier

@Joanna__Robbins So pleased you enjoyed Myst Jo. First game I ever played on a Mac. Maybe the only game as it happens.

Daniel Ayala
Daniel Ayala

has to be a joke. Otherwise you are dead inside.

J.C. Cleaver
J.C. Cleaver

@Mark Gerlach I've read plenty of commentary over the years on Myst/Riven/Uru/etc as a series. Some of it was on-point, other parts weren't. This has got to be one of the most absurd criticisms I've ever seen.

In case you missed it, Catherine has her own agenda during the game Riven, which is why she runs off to take care of business as soon as she's physically able to. She's imprisoned because *that's the story*! (If a male character was imprisoned would you consider the game misandrist?)


This is something I would expect from a freshman in a gender studies class.

Harlot McWanker
Harlot McWanker

@Mark Gerlach "Myst" must be misandristic as hell, then, as it features not one but THREE imprisoned male characters over whom the player wields the power to free.

hmemcpy
hmemcpy

@thomasvjames I hope not! I do hope the Miller brothers get creative rights on this. The Myst books were superb!

jwisser
jwisser

@iroc I really need to play through realMyst. >.<

Joanna__Robbins
Joanna__Robbins

@westpier I love it. Re-played it recently and aside from the tiny picture, it holds up pretty well!

thomasvjames
thomasvjames

@hmemcpy completely agree, haven't read them in a while but they certainly enthralled me.

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