• Robyn and Rand Miller: Brothers who created "Myst" and "Riven". In 1993, they were starving artists. "Myst" became a mass-market hit in 1994 and continued to sell well. They refused to rush "Riven" and funded it with royalties.
• Cyan's Journey: Moved from making "Myst" in separate homes to a drafty garage and then a former mattress storefront. Finally, they built a "Cyan World Headquarters" modeled after the games. "Riven" used more advanced Silicon Graphics hardware.
• Development of "Riven": It aimed to cater to both gamers and tourists. Gamers got a deeper puzzle experience, while tourists had an open world. It cost 10-15 times more to make than "Myst" and took longer.
• Market Challenges: Faced competition from "Myst" clones and a decline in the adventure game genre. However, "Myst" and "Riven" still sold well, with "Riven" selling over 1 million units in its first year.
• Gameplay and Design: "Riven" was a sequel to "Myst", with similar gameplay but more refined. It had static, pre-rendered scenery and node-based movement. Puzzles were more complex and scattered. The game's visuals and backstory were improved, with better textures and a more immersive world.
• Reception: "Riven" was a hit but not as successful as "Myst". Some criticized its lack of innovation, while others loved its puzzle-solving and immersive world. It represented the end of an era for Cyan.
• Personal Experience: The author struggled with "Riven" as a gamer, finding it slow and demanding. It made him reflect on the way we receive games and how our mindset has changed. Cyan is preparing a remake.
• Sources and Availability: The article is based on various books and online sources. The original version of "Riven" is available on GOG.com, and a remake is in the works.