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'''''Myst Online: Uru Live''''' (usually shortened to '''Uru Live''' or '''MOUL''') is the massive multiplayer online (MMO) version of '''[[Uru: Ages Beyond Myst|Uru]]'''. | '''''Myst Online: Uru Live''''' (usually shortened to '''Uru Live''' or '''MOUL''') is the massive multiplayer online (MMO) version of '''[[Uru: Ages Beyond Myst|Uru]]'''. | ||
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The name is both a basis of jokes (regarding Mud Pie ice cream, Mud Pie cookies, etc.) as well as of backronyms, i.e. acronyms whose original meaning was apparently never actually agreed upon. Still, the backronyms are a reasonable, accurate description of the project's objectives: | The name is both a basis of jokes (regarding Mud Pie ice cream, Mud Pie cookies, etc.) as well as of backronyms, i.e. acronyms whose original meaning was apparently never actually agreed upon. Still, the backronyms are a reasonable, accurate description of the project's objectives: | ||
* The '''MU''' can stand for ''Multi-user'', referring to the fact that Mudpie was, exclusively, a multi-user game. (Uru, however, is both single- and multi-user). | * The '''MU''' can stand for ''Multi-user'', referring to the fact that Mudpie was, exclusively, a multi-user game. (Uru, however, is both single- and multi-user). | ||
* The '''D''' can represent ''D'ni'' or ''DIRT'' (''D'ni In Real Time''), the project Mudpie was original based on | * The '''D''' can represent ''D'ni'' or ''DIRT'' (''D'ni In Real Time''), the project Mudpie was original based on (DIRT, however, was exclusively single-player). | ||
* The '''P''' can mean ''Person'' or ''Player'', signifying the role a user of Mudpie has: unusually, the role they play is themselves. | * The '''P''' can mean ''Person'' or ''Player'', signifying the role a user of Mudpie has: unusually, the role they play is themselves. | ||
* The '''I''' is sometimes lengthened to ''Integrated'', but more frequently to ''Interactive'', alluding to the unparalleled amount of influence every player has on the story, another key aspect to the game. | * The '''I''' is sometimes lengthened to ''Integrated'', but more frequently to ''Interactive'', alluding to the unparalleled amount of influence every player has on the story, another key aspect to the game. | ||
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Most importantly, ''Mudpie'' stepped away from the single-player nature of ''DIRT'', radically replacing it with a multi-user model, commonly known as [[w:Massively multiplayer online game|Massively multiplayer online game]]. To date, virtually every MMOG implementation is a role-playing one; MMOG is therefore often considered synonymous with MMORPG. In Mudpie, however, the user is not meant to play a role; they are to be true to themselves. This idea has been carried over to '''[[Uru]]''' and is perhaps most clearly visible through the [[avatar]] customization options: Cyan has over the years added additional adjustments such as more clothing, more distinct facial complexions, more hairstyles, etc., to make the avatar match the real-life appearance (or, at least, the appearance a user would ''like'' to have in real life when exploring) as closely as possible. | Most importantly, ''Mudpie'' stepped away from the single-player nature of ''DIRT'', radically replacing it with a multi-user model, commonly known as [[w:Massively multiplayer online game|Massively multiplayer online game]]. To date, virtually every MMOG implementation is a role-playing one; MMOG is therefore often considered synonymous with MMORPG. In Mudpie, however, the user is not meant to play a role; they are to be true to themselves. This idea has been carried over to '''[[Uru]]''' and is perhaps most clearly visible through the [[avatar]] customization options: Cyan has over the years added additional adjustments such as more clothing, more distinct facial complexions, more hairstyles, etc., to make the avatar match the real-life appearance (or, at least, the appearance a user would ''like'' to have in real life when exploring) as closely as possible. | ||
Mudpie mostly reflected a similar storyline to that of DIRT, but put a lot more focus on the [[ | Mudpie mostly reflected a similar storyline to that of DIRT, but put a lot more focus on the [[City]]; with the multi-player aspect, interaction in the City becomes a lot more feasible and realistic, leading to such ideas as a collaborative restoration effort, or, as in Uru, one led by a controversial organization, the [[DRC]]. | ||
In order to make Mudpie feasible, [[Plasma]] had to be rewritten, leading to version 20, with much improved networking facilities, and the ability to easily script Ages using the Python language. Unfortunately, this rewrite took significant amounts of time (and money) away from Cyan, who hadn't had a notable product since [[Riven (game)|Riven]], with the exception of the minor [[realMyst]] release. At this time, Cyan had an unusually high amount of employees working on the project, but in order to make the project financially feasible, they had to partner, and ultimately did, with Ubisoft, but this would significantly change the focus, and change the game's concept once more, towards a hybrid single- and multi-player one. | In order to make Mudpie feasible, [[Plasma]] had to be rewritten, leading to version 20, with much improved networking facilities, and the ability to easily script Ages using the Python language. Unfortunately, this rewrite took significant amounts of time (and money) away from Cyan, who hadn't had a notable product since [[Riven (game)|Riven]], with the exception of the minor [[realMyst]] release. At this time, Cyan had an unusually high amount of employees working on the project, but in order to make the project financially feasible, they had to partner, and ultimately did, with Ubisoft, but this would significantly change the focus, and change the game's concept once more, towards a hybrid single- and multi-player one. | ||
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== Ubisoft == | == Ubisoft == | ||
===Choru=== | ===Choru=== | ||
In [[2002 CE|2002]], '''Choru'''<ref> | In [[2002 CE|2002]], '''Choru'''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111205154723/http://uruobsession.com/forum/index.php/topic/7129-on-uru-and-choru/ lonelyto25], "On Uru and Choru". ''Uru Obsession forums.'' February 17, 2004. Archived from the original on December 5, 2011.</ref> (the ''Closed Beta'') was the first test involving participants that weren't employees of Cyan. It began in March with the five explorers ([[Rico]], [[Blastercalm]], [[Dr. Greer]], [[IMForeman]], and [[Rivenchan]]) who are listed as [[Premier Explorers]] in the Uru credits. It was a small group, but distributed across multiple continents. Throughout 2002 and 2003, additional testers were added. However, Choru remained relatively small. In the context of Uru's storyline, the Choru testers were referred to as ''Authorized Explorers''; at the time of Uru's launch, there were only eighty-three participants on the ''Authorized Explorer'' forums. | ||
The term ''Choru'', alongside ''Ubiru'', was coined by ''75th Trombone'' in response to the then-impending Ubiru launch. Between March and May, Choru's former website stated "Choru we'll miss you".<ref> | The term ''Choru'', alongside ''Ubiru'', was coined by ''75th Trombone'' in response to the then-impending Ubiru launch. Between March and May, Choru's former website stated "Choru we'll miss you".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040523164322/http://www2.cyanworlds.com:80/ Cyan Worlds News], accessed November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on May 23, 2004. Before and after the site showed news about ''Uru: Ages Beyond Myst''.</ref> | ||
===Ubiru=== | ===Ubiru=== | ||
From January [[2003 CE|2003]] to late August, '''Ubiru''' built upon Choru, expanded testing from dozens to eventually a few thousands and moved testing from Cyan-hosted machines to servers of Ubisoft's instead. Curiously, its focus was on single-player game testing most of the time. A page on Cyan's old website listed all the participants.<ref> | From January [[2003 CE|2003]] to late August, '''Ubiru''' built upon Choru, expanded testing from dozens to eventually a few thousands and moved testing from Cyan-hosted machines to servers of Ubisoft's instead. Curiously, its focus was on single-player game testing most of the time. A page on Cyan's old website listed all the participants.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20070407212943/http://www.cyanworlds.com:80/beta.php Uru Beta Testers]", Cyan Worlds website, accessed November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on April 7, 2007.</ref> | ||
===Prologue=== | ===Prologue=== | ||
'''Prologue''', launched on November 17, 2003, was an aborted attempt by Ubisoft and Cyan at bringing ''Uru: Ages Beyond Myst'' to the masses for the first time.<ref> | '''Prologue''', launched on November 17, 2003, was an aborted attempt by Ubisoft and Cyan at bringing ''Uru: Ages Beyond Myst'' to the masses for the first time.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110107023623/http://www.magma.ca/~daylmer/Urulive/index.html Toria's Uru Explorers], accessed November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018.</ref> It was public and NDA-less, though it did require an invitation. People who bought the game at retail were invited to apply for entry into the online portion of the game. Upon acceptance, in the form of an email from [[Jeff Zandi]], they would then be allowed to sign on to one or multiple of the shards. | ||
Prologue was unique in that it already had a story arc, surrounding a conflict between the DRC on the one side, and [[Douglas Sharper]] and followers of his on the other. | Prologue was unique in that it already had a story arc, surrounding a conflict between the DRC on the one side, and [[Douglas Sharper]] and followers of his on the other. | ||
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====The Clerical Error==== | ====The Clerical Error==== | ||
While it was to continue past Prologue and throughout actual subcriptions, none of this ended up happening, due to a mistake that became known as the '''Clerical Error''', the Rehearsal in fact ended much earlier than the Prologue itself. On January 2, [[2004 CE|2004]], mere weeks after Rehearsal had begun, an Ubisoft employee in Montreal accidentally invited all pending Prologue registrations, causing a script to send out thousands of invitations simultaneously, and many to actually join within the day. The two public shards were completely unprepared to handle the added node, and, in an effort to minimize the damage, the Rehearsal shard became a public one under the name [[Achenar]]; to undo the invitations was deemed unethical, even though it had been a mistake. | While it was to continue past Prologue and throughout actual subcriptions, none of this ended up happening, due to a mistake that became known as the '''Clerical Error''', the Rehearsal in fact ended much earlier than the Prologue itself. On January 2,[[2004 CE|2004]], mere weeks after Rehearsal had begun, an Ubisoft employee in Montreal accidentally invited all pending Prologue registrations, causing a script to send out thousands of invitations simultaneously, and many to actually join within the day. The two public shards were completely unprepared to handle the added node, and, in an effort to minimize the damage, the Rehearsal shard became a public one under the name [[Achenar]]; to undo the invitations was deemed unethical, even though it had been a mistake. | ||
Due to the lack of an actual subscription-based Uru Live launch, and due to the premature Rehearsal cancellation even during Prologue, the idea was not truly tested at that time. | Due to the lack of an actual subscription-based Uru Live launch, and due to the premature Rehearsal cancellation even during Prologue, the idea was not truly tested at that time. | ||
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===Uru Live=== | ===Uru Live=== | ||
After several periods and stages of testing, Rand Miller announced<ref> | After several periods and stages of testing, Rand Miller announced<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070408111524/http://www.cyanworlds.com:80/letter.php Rand's letter] to the community, Cyan Worlds website, accessed November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on April 8, 2007.</ref> (on behalf of Cyan and Ubisoft) on February 4, [[2004 CE|2004]] that the project was aborted, and that servers would cease to run on February 9, citing failure to generate enough potential subscribers. Among fans, this has been in heavy debate ever since, with many accusing Ubisoft of not having given the project its due chance. | ||
For many fans, the product represented a very highly and long-anticipated project of Cyan's, making its cancellation agonizing. However, many details of what went right and wrong were never disclosed, and a fair analysis is therefore, for better or worse, not possible in public. | For many fans, the product represented a very highly and long-anticipated project of Cyan's, making its cancellation agonizing. However, many details of what went right and wrong were never disclosed, and a fair analysis is therefore, for better or worse, not possible in public. | ||
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===Untìl Uru=== | ===Untìl Uru=== | ||
After the cancellation of the original Uru Live effort, many fans were hoping for a self-hosted alternative, without new content, but still retaining the ability to meet in-game. This finally came to fruition on August 7, 2004, under the name of '''Untìl Uru'''.<ref> | After the cancellation of the original Uru Live effort, many fans were hoping for a self-hosted alternative, without new content, but still retaining the ability to meet in-game. This finally came to fruition on August 7, 2004, under the name of '''Untìl Uru'''.<ref>Untìl Uru [https://web.archive.org/web/20060710212813/http://plasma.cyanworlds.com/ official website], accessed November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on July 10, 2006.</ref> | ||
Though frequently spelt '''Until''', the Untìl actually doesn't primarily refer to the English word, but actually the two Sumerian words '''''un''''' (people, community) and '''''tìl''''' (live, keep alive): ergo, the title actually means the community keeps Uru alive.<ref> | Though frequently spelt '''Until''', the Untìl actually doesn't primarily refer to the English word, but actually the two Sumerian words '''''un''''' (people, community) and '''''tìl''''' (live, keep alive): ergo, the title actually means the community keeps Uru alive.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20180617152632/http://mystembassy.net/dmalafaq.html D'mala Untìl Uru Shard FAQ]", Myst Embassy, accessed November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018.</ref> | ||
Untìl Uru consisted of: | Untìl Uru consisted of: | ||
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On Janurary 31 [[2007 CE|2007]], Cyan announced they would be closing Untìl Uru on February 5.<ref> | On Janurary 31 [[2007 CE|2007]], Cyan announced they would be closing Untìl Uru on February 5.<ref>[http://www.mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6340 greydragon], "D'mala, Until Uru and player created content.". ''Myst Online forums.'' January 31, 2007.</ref> | ||
===D'mala=== | ===D'mala=== | ||
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====D'ni soccer ball==== | ====D'ni soccer ball==== | ||
One patch provided on December 15 actually added a hidden goodie. Two balls in the same shape appeared: a green one in [[Kadish Tolesa]] and a purple one in [[Ae'gura]]. They have writing in [[D'ni (language)#Alphabet|D'ni script]] on them, but it is not actual D'ni | One patch provided on December 15 actually added a hidden goodie. Two balls in the same shape appeared: a green one in [[Kadish Tolesa]] and a purple one in [[Ae'gura]]. They have writing in [[D'ni (language)#Alphabet|D'ni script]] on them, but it is actually [[D'ninglish]], not actual D'ni, meant to read D'ni soccer ball. | ||
== GameTap == | == GameTap == | ||
===Nuru=== | ===Nuru=== | ||
Starting in late spring 2006, fans were able to sign up for an invite-only beta test of Myst Online: Uru Live. Testing began on July 31<ref> | Starting in late spring 2006, fans were able to sign up for an invite-only beta test of Myst Online: Uru Live. Testing began on July 31<ref>[http://support.urulive.com/faq.php?do=article&articleid=35 Page on the Uru Live website] [not archived]</ref> and had been dubbed '''Nuru''', not to be confused with the fan term '''N'uru''', which instead referred to ''Myst Online: Uru Live'' as a whole. Due to the NDA, few details are known, although the FAQ section<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20070428063041/http://support.urulive.com:80/faq.php Questions and Answers]", Myst Online: Uru Live website, accessed November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on April 28, 2007.</ref> gave some information—including the release notes for several of the released updates: | ||
* [http://support.urulive.com/faq.php?do=article&articleid=35 July 31] [unavailable] | * [http://support.urulive.com/faq.php?do=article&articleid=35 July 31] [unavailable] | ||
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There have been occasional comments that the test was going well or even exceeding expectations{{citation needed}}. | There have been occasional comments that the test was going well or even exceeding expectations{{citation needed}}. | ||
On November 8, Ryan Warzecha announced<ref> | On November 8, Ryan Warzecha announced<ref>[http://www.urulive.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=40117#40117 greydragon]. ''Myst Online forums.'' [unavailable]</ref> that "a major amount of invites" would be sent on the 9th. | ||
On November 28, '''Nuru''' was superseded by '''Uru Live Preview'''. | On November 28, '''Nuru''' was superseded by '''Uru Live Preview'''. | ||
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Launched on November 28, ''Uru Live Preview'' was a closed beta. Like its predecessor Nuru, it was invite-only, but unlike it, it lacked an NDA: that is, anything seen in-game by an invited person could be openly, publicly discussed. | Launched on November 28, ''Uru Live Preview'' was a closed beta. Like its predecessor Nuru, it was invite-only, but unlike it, it lacked an NDA: that is, anything seen in-game by an invited person could be openly, publicly discussed. | ||
A post on the Uru Live Forums<ref> | A post on the Uru Live Forums<ref>[http://www.urulive.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3351 ''Myst Online forums.''] [unavailable]</ref> detailed what could be talked about, and what was still covered by Nuru's NDA. | ||
The test was roughly analogous to ''Uru Live (2003) Prologue'', but lacked a multi-player storyline. Another notable difference is the lack of multiple [[shard]]s, suggesting that player interaction will be a smoother experience now. | The test was roughly analogous to ''Uru Live (2003) Prologue'', but lacked a multi-player storyline. Another notable difference is the lack of multiple [[shard]]s, suggesting that player interaction will be a smoother experience now. | ||
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Open beta was also frequently referred to as '''sneak peek'''. Unlike its predecessor Uru Live Preview, the open beta removed the requirement of invitations: anyone could take part immediately. | Open beta was also frequently referred to as '''sneak peek'''. Unlike its predecessor Uru Live Preview, the open beta removed the requirement of invitations: anyone could take part immediately. | ||
Open beta launched on December 12<ref> | Open beta launched on December 12<ref>[http://www.mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3701 essjay], "Latest News from GameTap about UruLive!". ''Myst Online forums.'' December 7, 2006.</ref><ref>Page on the [http://www.urulive.com/blog/?p=26 Uru Live website] [unavailable]</ref>, and was scheduled to close again on December 18<ref>[https://www.mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=67410#p67410 darkstar], "Latest News from GameTap about UruLive!". ''Myst Online forums.'' December 7, 2006.</ref>. Following a [[Vault wipe]], it was scheduled to be superseded by the '''Preview of Uru Live''' on December 20. | ||
This beta was "open" only to GameTap subscribers. Previous Uru Live Preview invitees would continue to be able to participate. In countries where GameTap itself was not yet available, no additional people compared to the Preview were able to join, and in GameTap-supported countries peopleed need to pay a subscription fee to GameTap if they didn't already, even if they only intended to play the pre-release of Uru Live—however, due to a "99 cents for the first month" deal, and due to the short length of this beta phase, this essentially amounted to a very small price. | This beta was "open" only to GameTap subscribers. Previous Uru Live Preview invitees would continue to be able to participate. In countries where GameTap itself was not yet available, no additional people compared to the Preview were able to join, and in GameTap-supported countries peopleed need to pay a subscription fee to GameTap if they didn't already, even if they only intended to play the pre-release of Uru Live—however, due to a "99 cents for the first month" deal, and due to the short length of this beta phase, this essentially amounted to a very small price. | ||
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Not to be confused with the ''Uru Live Preview,'' it was the final phase of ''Myst Online: Uru Live'' pre-release testing. | Not to be confused with the ''Uru Live Preview,'' it was the final phase of ''Myst Online: Uru Live'' pre-release testing. | ||
Most notably, it differed from the ''open beta'' in that, much like ''Prologue'' from ''Uru Live (2003),'' a multi-player storyline arc was being built up<ref> | Most notably, it differed from the ''open beta'' in that, much like ''Prologue'' from ''Uru Live (2003),'' a multi-player storyline arc was being built up<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071018193500/http://games.yahoo.com/gametap Myst Online: Uru Live], page on Yahoo! Games, accessed November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4034 ''Myst Online forums.''] [unavailable]</ref>. It involves the [[DRC]], the [[bahro]], and the expansion of opened areas in [[Ae'gura]]. | ||
Contrary to previous rumors, non-subscription testers from previous pre-release tests who had been invited up until (and including) ''Uru Live Preview'' could continue to play without any subscription fee, including invitees both from countries where the GameTap subscription service would be available (the United States and Canada) as well as countries where it is not (Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom). Further, for the latter set of countries, a sign-up page was provided for others to join for free and without invitation. | Contrary to previous rumors, non-subscription testers from previous pre-release tests who had been invited up until (and including) ''Uru Live Preview'' could continue to play without any subscription fee, including invitees both from countries where the GameTap subscription service would be available (the United States and Canada) as well as countries where it is not (Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom). Further, for the latter set of countries, a sign-up page was provided for others to join for free and without invitation. | ||
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===Uru Live=== | ===Uru Live=== | ||
'''Myst Online: Uru Live''' launched on February 15, 2007.<ref> | '''Myst Online: Uru Live''' launched on February 15, 2007.<ref>[http://www.urulive.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=98719#98719 greydragon], "Launch Date Announced". ''Myst Online forums.'' January 25, 2007.</ref> | ||
While the GameTap service itself was limited to the US and Canada, Uru Live was available in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States. | While the GameTap service itself was limited to the US and Canada, Uru Live was available in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States. | ||
Uru Live featured many of the same aspects as the previous Ubisoft-published project of the same name. | Uru Live featured many of the same aspects as the previous Ubisoft-published project of the same name, '''[[Uru Live (2003)|Uru Live]]'''. | ||
====Intro==== | ====Intro==== | ||
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====Technical differences==== | ====Technical differences==== | ||
The physics engine has been changed from ''Havok'' to Ageia's ''PhysX'', which also features an optional hardware extension card for additional acceleration, though it is unknown if, and to what extent, Uru Live will benefit from such hardware. Havok's then-lack of Mac compatibility (later added<ref> | The physics engine has been changed from ''Havok'' to Ageia's ''PhysX'', which also features an optional hardware extension card for additional acceleration, though it is unknown if, and to what extent, Uru Live will benefit from such hardware. Havok's then-lack of Mac compatibility (later added<ref>"[http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/09/14/havok/index.php Havok physics engine comes to Mac, thanks to Blizzard]", MacWorld website, September 13, 2006.</ref>) was one of the main reasons for the move. By contrast, [[Myst V: End of Ages|End of Ages]] uses the ''ODE'' open-source physics engine, which was apparently too limited for the complexity Uru Live required. | ||
Changes to the [[Plasma]] graphics and networking engine are apparently major enough to prompt a new version, "205" (right between Uru's original "20" and End of Ages's "21"), and to make old data incompatible. | Changes to the [[Plasma]] graphics and networking engine are apparently major enough to prompt a new version, "205" (right between Uru's original "20" and End of Ages's "21"), and to make old data incompatible. | ||
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===Cancellation=== | ===Cancellation=== | ||
On February 4, [[2008 CE|2008]], GreyDragon posted<ref> | On February 4, [[2008 CE|2008]], GreyDragon posted<ref>[http://www.mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=241946 greydragon], "Myst Online: Uru Live Season 2 Status". ''Myst Online forums.'' February 4, 2008.</ref> an announcement from Ricardo Sanchez of GameTap that said that GameTap was discontinuing Myst Online. | ||
On April 10, [[2008 CE|2008]], hundreds of fans gathered in the game to await the cancellation with friends and fellow players. Several [[ResEng]]s as well as GreyDragon visited with explorers in A Beginner's Bevin. At 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time, Rand Miller's avatar logged into the game, and Myst Online was shut down. It was removed from the games in GameTap's library, being replaced by [[Uru: Complete Chronicles]] the next day. | On April 10, [[2008 CE|2008]], hundreds of fans gathered in the game to await the cancellation with friends and fellow players. Several [[ResEng]]s as well as GreyDragon visited with explorers in A Beginner's Bevin. At 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time, Rand Miller's avatar logged into the game, and Myst Online was shut down. It was removed from the games in GameTap's library, being replaced by [[Uru: Complete Chronicles]] the next day. | ||
== Myst Online: Uru Live (again) == | == Myst Online: Uru Live (again) == | ||
===MORE=== | ===MORE=== | ||
On June 29 | On June 29 Cyan reacquired<ref>"[http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/txt/archive/?postID=6114 GameTap gives Myst Online back to Cyan. Cyan says it's opening the game to fan development]", Spokesman Review TXT blog [unavailable]</ref> the license for Myst Online: Uru Live, though GameTap was receive a cut if Cyan made significant profits. | ||
A largely explorer-based Uru was planned<ref> | A largely explorer-based Uru was planned<ref>[http://www.mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=272848#272848 Chogon], "MORE Urulive status - Strange times.". ''Myst Online forums.'' October 7, 2008.</ref> to launch as '''Myst Online Restoration Experiment''' ('''MORE'''), but was eventually put on hold in October 2008. | ||
===MO:ULa=== | ===MO:ULa=== | ||
In February 8, [[2010 CE|2010]] Cyan opened '''Myst Online: Uru Live (again)''' | In February 8, [[2010 CE|2010]] Cyan opened '''Myst Online: Uru Live (again)'''. Like D'mala, it is a single shard maintained exclusively by Cyan. Unlike D'mala, it contains all of the bug fixes and content releases that occurred during MO:UL. | ||
On the day of release, the interest was so overwhelming that for the most time, the servers were down or slow to the point that most users could not access the game. Cyan had not expected such an amount of players<ref> | On the day of release, the interest was so overwhelming that for the most time, the servers were down or slow to the point that most users could not access the game. Cyan had not expected such an amount of players<ref>[https://mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=316269#p316269 Jamey], "Rand is in the city". ''Myst Online forums.'' February 10, 2010. "I think a couple thousand have signed up so far (...) I thought it would have been a couple hundred"</ref> and were running the game on servers incapable of handling the loads. On February 8, Cyan shut down all servers and started moving to larger ones, although still with many problems regarding the Launcher and log-in procedures, as well as lag and sporadic server kicks. Additional server adjustments were made, and later the game became quite stable and playable, networking wise. | ||
On September 18, [[2014 CE|2014]], the server crashed in what became known as the '''Great Crash'''. While the accounts survived, all avatars (except those created less than a week before that date) were wiped. The game reopened on September 26. | On September 18, [[2014 CE|2014]], the server crashed in what became known as the '''Great Crash'''. While the accounts survived, all avatars (except those created less than a week before that date) were wiped. The game reopened on September 26. | ||
On | On March [[2016 CE|2016]], because of an increase in [[w:griefer|griefer]]s activity, account creation was disabled,<ref>[https://mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=28274 Virg], "Account Creation Service Issues". ''Myst Online forums.'' March 27, 2016.</ref> and did not come back until July 26, [[2017 CE|2017]],<ref>[https://mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=28680 Chogon], "Account Creation back ONLINE!!!!". ''Myst Online forums.'' July 26, 2017.</ref> with a new mechanism for new accounts that requires an authentication SMS. | ||
On October 28, [[2019 CE|2019]], Cyan announced<ref>[https://mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=29200 Chogon], "Fan developers: Modifying MOULa Assets". ''Myst Online forums.'' October 28, 2019.</ref> that the game assets are open for fan modifications. | |||
On October 28, [[2019 CE|2019]], Cyan announced<ref> | |||
===External links=== | ===External links=== | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111103231711/http://forums.drcsite.org/viewtopic.php?t=2790 Victor Laxman], "Activity in the Cavern?". ''DRC forums.'' February 4, 2010. Archived from the original on November 3, 2011. | |||
* [http://mystonline.com/en/play/ Myst Online: Uru Live] website. | * [http://mystonline.com/en/play/ Myst Online: Uru Live] website. | ||
* [https://wave.google.com/wave/#restored:wave:googlewave.com%21w%252BXxmvLNZVA.1 MO:UL Server Status], Google Wave [discontinued] | * [https://wave.google.com/wave/#restored:wave:googlewave.com%21w%252BXxmvLNZVA.1 MO:UL Server Status], Google Wave [discontinued] | ||
* "[http://www.massively.com/2010/02/08/myst-online-is-alive-again-for-the-um-we-lost-count-how/ Myst Online is alive... again...]" Massively, dated February 8, 2010. | |||
* [http://mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=19258 Chogon], "MOULagain servers down". ''Myst Online forums.'' February 9, 2010. | |||
* [https://mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=318227#p318227 Drakmyth] on the 1.918 patcher, "Common Problems and How To Solve Them". ''Myst Online forums.'' February 11, 2010. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
[[Category:Uru]] | [[Category:Uru]] | ||
[[Category:Myst Online: Uru Live]] | [[Category:Myst Online: Uru Live]] | ||
[[Category:Articles needing cleanup]] | [[Category:Articles needing cleanup]] |