Comments on: Mindspace

By: Ian Atrus

Ian Atrus — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:11:56 +0000

I can’t say just how much I agree with this. I always wanted a D’ni where the explorers could leave their mark in uncovering the past, and that’s why I don’t like the whole ‘New Writers of D’ni’ thing that Cyan has going, but at the same time I could never understand this idea some people had that you could do whatever you want over Cyan’s head, that Cyan *had* to accept any and each of our contributions, and that on top of that we were even allowed to destroy the game and turn it upside down, as if (to use the famous example) we could understand what makes a ball bounce by cutting it open.

UU was meant to keep the magic living, and instead it destroyed it for many; it gave much, but it also took much. We were appointed stewards of the kingdom, and we thought we could be kings. That almost tore us down.

By: Whilyam

Whilyam — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:12:57 +0000

My experience was different, so I have a slightly different take on it. I too love the realism of D’ni, and if there was a return to UU, I wouldn’t want a Cyan shard where people could do that kind of stuff. Not because it isn’t fun or improper in general, but that it’s improper in context. I started out in UU and loved being entertained by admins like Rex Havoc when he made the shroomie pic huge and made smoke come from the treebolisk, etc. I also wouldn’t want to see that go, and would also be eager to see behind the scenes in these new ages to see how things were constructed and how they worked.

So I guess I’d like to see a mix. Perhaps many smaller shards and a central, Cyan-controlled one. The various groups could form in the smaller shards and do whatever they wanted. While the Cyan-controlled one would block that kind of stuff and provide a canon space for a mixture of limited, rare, Cyan events and content and more frequent fan-made ages. I’d also like to see any Cyan-run shard also have trusted fans able to turn things on and off to create a more living environment. Thingsl ike the Relto pages or Delin’s seasons, or DRC work sounds, or the host of other objects.

I also agree that this entitlement was a bad thing. The shards are and were Cyan’s baby. They were not our’s. While they were our home for a while, we had to let go as we have to now. That doesn’t mean we cannot get a new home in either the next Uru or the next game Cyan makes.

By: MoietyJean

MoietyJean — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:32:07 +0000

That’s pretty much me to a T. I was always very frustrated by the UU crowd who just did whatever they wanted with D’ni. I condoned some dissection of the ages and fly-mode behavior simply out of desperate curiosity to see anything that Cyan had not shown us “legitimately,” but once it became about freakish mods to the games just for entertainment, with no reverance whatsoever, it went too far. I would love a way to continue the D’ni-verse, but it needs a control point, so that people don’t take it away from what it ought to be. I’m even learning Blender so I can try to join the GoW in supporting the dream of Uru. I desperately hope that Cyan will allow us to do that, but also keep a hand in, or delegate some trusted people to do so if they cannot.

By: Capella

Capella — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:21:12 +0000

You and GS are the two who have best summed up the general attitude I have. Of course, my perspective is kinda different, ’cause I STARTED with UU thanks to being a Mac person until after the first Uru fall. But I started UU playing with people like TW and GS and a lot of other CC folk who tried to make it like what I imagine Prologue was- a way for friends to explore the Cavern together. The reason I was so sad about Uru not being for Mac was because, like you, I dreamed about the Cavern, I loved D’ni, I spent years invested in it, and I was miserable that I couldn’t see it. UU helped that, but it also destroyed it. There was a reason I stuck to TW’s ‘CC’ shard, where everyone was fairly like-minded, there was no fan-done content, no AdminKI, etc. And I think if UU comes back again, it’s going to be in the later, more fractured model, and that’s the upsetting part.

If Cyan does do more games, do you think they’ll continue to be in the Myst or D’ni universe? Do you think we would ever get to see D’ni again, whether alone (singleplayer games) or in groups?

By: Deb Johnson

Deb Johnson — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:09:32 +0000

I weep with you Alah. It’s been kinda sad watching UU be a pale shadow of what fun Prologue was.

Actually, in some ways I envy those friends of mine who said/say that Prologue was perfect, and they weren’t going to sully the memory with a pale imitation of it. Yes, some feel that way. Others, like Matt, just lost interest, and didn’t come back for whatever reason. That hurts, as well, due to the memories of their presence. It’s like I can’t get over the sadness of not having them in the game.

I honestly, truly agree with all the other comments on here. I don’t disagree with you. You could be saying what I feel, pretty much exactly. Sadly, I don’t feel anything but fear when I think of another Uru incarnation that may, or may not work out. I wonder: do I want it, or do I want it to simply die a dignified death?

*sigh*

By: Tweek

Tweek — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:07:04 +0000

Yeah Cyan were more talkative before the first fall of Uru, since then they have been more tight-lipped, doesn’t really do much in their favor I find.

By: Lord Chaos

Lord Chaos — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:53:10 +0000

For me, the big problem ever since I joined UU in May 2005 is Cyan\’s silence. I think Cyan\’s people, the ones who made this game, should take the leadership position that goes with being the game designer, and lead the Explorers. I played all the games to discover the story of the D\’ni, which I find very interesting. After I took Yeesha\’s journey, that was it. A few crumbs fell off the table but in all the last year we have learned nothing new except for things like the made-up \

By: Tweek

Tweek — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:50:36 +0000

To say this sums up exactly how I feel about it would be an understatement, in fact it is more akin to you being actually inside my head…which is concerning now please get out ouch, now I don’t know math.

The concept of UU returning is one that worries me considerably, I have a nasty feeling Cyan will bow to fan cries and do that. I think if they are going that root they either need to have a single shard, Cyan operated so none of the issues of before happen or have a stand alone version with a few online places such as Hoods, Guild Pubs, City, Jalak, but then that almost amounts to a similar vein to UU.

Either way if there is an UU Cyan needs full control over it like they did with MOUL.

By: Erik

Erik — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:16:36 +0000

For the most part I agree with you about Until Uru. A while ago, I posted at the MOUL forums, that if Uru should die, I would not want Until Uru back. Well, now that MOUL is dying, my heart tells me the opposite.
I do want some sort of Until Uru…

But I want to see it handled differently than before. I would like there to be an official shard, maintained by Cyan. I’d like to see Cyan finalising the Guild structure that they had in their minds.
Writers should write Ages that don’t conflict with the storyline and those Ages should be approved by Cyan.

This means that Cyan is still in control over D’ni and the storyline, but this way they can allow us to continue finding a way and making a home. Cyan would have to invest some time in creating some sort of structures for the Guilds though. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a way for people to add to the game (after Cyan’s approval).

Perhaps they could let us buy some sort of key to enter that new UU, that would cover those start-up costs.

Perhaps this wish can’t be realised, that would be a shame. I really want a way to return to D’ni, but I don’t want Uru to be completely given in the hands of the fans, for the same reasons you stated.