Uru: Online Ages Beyond Myst announced

Ubi Soft Entertainment and Cyan Worlds have today revealed that the game formerly known as only as Myst Online will in fact be released as Uru: Online Ages Beyond Myst. The game, which is scheduled for release late this year, will be the first in the long-running series of Myst adventure games to feature online play.

"Uru is an ancient word, the earliest word for city," said Rand Miller, founder of Cyan Worlds. "It is rooted in the idea of a gathering of people, which is precisely what Uru will foster. We've been working for almost five years developing the cutting-edge technology, detailed design, and breathtaking graphics that allow us to build real-time online worlds that go beyond Myst. Imagine being able to explore lush landscapes, ancient deserted cities, mysterious forests, curious swamps--and that's only the beginning. We're trying to provide an environment that's so engrossing, people will talk about it and share their experience. With Uru the journey is experienced together within the game, with friends, family, even strangers uncovering fantastic places together."

Taking advantage of broadband, Uru will feature an ever-evolving gameworld thanks to the continuous introduction of new story lines and environment features. Uru will also be the first persistent world to support real-time voice communication as hundreds of thousands of players meet and interact with each other--perhaps choosing to embark on adventures together or just forming groups of friends in what the developers hope will be a uniquely social environment.

"Uru represents an incredible evolution in the Myst product line and in online entertainment," said Jason Rubinstein, general manager of Ubi.com. "Fans of the Myst series, online socializers, mystery buffs, Internet chatters, multiplayer online gamers, and nongamers alike will be amazed by Uru. It will definitely raise the bar for an immersive online experience, and we expect it to attract new customers to online gaming and perhaps change the face of mainstream entertainment."

Uru: Online Ages Beyond Myst is scheduled for release late in 2003, although a closed beta test for the game will commence later this month. Anyone wishing to participate in the beta test should apply at Ubi Soft's official Uru Web site. For more information on the game formerly known as Myst Online, check out our previous coverage .