Gordon Currie

By Ray Ivey

We’re all giddy with anticipation about the impending release
of not one but two new Myst games: Myst 3: Exile and RealMyst.
We thought it would be worthwhile to hear what’s on the mind of the king
of all Myst and Riven fans, Gordon Currie. He’s the man behind the legendary
Rivenguild website,
which is pretty much Myst Fan Central on the Internet. We figured that
if anyone had his finger on the pulse of fan expectations, it would be
Gordon.

Gordon, what would make you the happiest about Myst III: Exile?

The story. The fans and I are excited about the graphics, but
it’s the story that will satisfy us the most. I really admire Mary DeMarle,
who’s written the story for the game. Cyan provided story guidelines and
direction, but it was up to Presto to actually create the story.

Do you have any fears about the game? Anything you’re dreading, that
you’re afraid Presto might not get right?

I used to. My original concern was that the Presto team might not be
able to capture the spirit Cyan had intended with the Myst universe.
However, these fears have been totally allayed. I recently visited
Presto and got to seeing the artists working; and when I saw the trailer,
it literally brought tears to my eyes. I was just in shock. I couldn’t
believe that they could create a sequel that was so close to what I
had in mind.

Another concern I had at one time was that the fans would have trouble
accepting a Myst game from another company. But everything Presto
has done has helped calm these fears as well.

Presto has been very active with the fan community, very open. They’ve
never gone to fans and said, “we’re building a better game, forget
Riven and Myst, etc.” Rather, they’ve gone very humbly
to the fans and said, “We’re honored to have the opportunity to
do this.” On Rivenguild there’ve been live chats in which Presto
has made themselves available to the fans. Fans realized they really
care about us. Over this last month particularly, the fan base has turned
around and really gotten behind Presto.

Typical of Presto’s attitude was their manner when I visited their
headquarters in San Diego. They made me feel they were honored by my
visit.

So you don’t think fans feel Rand Miller has sold out?

No, not at all. That might have been a feeling in the minds
of some fans originally, but I think Presto has really turned that around.

The fact that Cyan isn’t making the game themselves doesn’t bother
you, then?

Not at all. I knew Cyan simply didn’t have the resources; they
are hard at work on other projects.

So. If eighteen months ago Cyan had called you up and said, “Gordon!
Tell us the name of a company that can make the third Myst game!”
What would you have said? Would you have thought of Presto?

No, I would not have. At that time I couldn’t imagine another
company making a Myst game. But, when I heard that Presto had gotten
the gig, I thought, “Hey, these are guys who could actually pull
it off.”

From what you’ve seen, what do you think about the game technically?

I sort of envision Exile as being a combo of the 3D walkthrough
type gaming but with the Riven style of graphics.

Did Presto utilize a visual consultant from Cyan to help get the look
right?

No. Incredibly, they’ve managed to create these images on their
own and have them fit right into the Myst universe.

What do you think about the 360-degree panning that will be used in
Exile?

I’ve been uncomfortable with the 360-degree panning in many
recent games. It doesn’t always feel realistic to me and it can even make
the player dizzy. I’m not sure what technology Presto is using to accomplish
this, but the panning in Exile looks and feels better and more
realistic than I’ve seen in any other game. There’s very little distortion
when you move; it’s like you are standing there in real life. Remember
how good the panning was in Journeyman 3? This is even better.

How do you feel about the use of a “name” actor in the game?

I couldn’t believe they were able to get Brad Dourif. What a
major coup. He’s well-liked, has a broad appeal, and is extremely versatile.
I’ve been a fan of his since One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and
I loved him in Dune. We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from
our readers on him. He’s particularly “hot” now because of his
role in the upcoming Lord of the Rings films.

Okay, so I’m getting the impression you expect big things from Myst
3. Do you think it will be able to do everything that’s being expected
from it? Think the sales will go through the roof? That lightning will
strike a third time?

Yes, I think it will outsell Riven. I think Exile
is going to be huge. I really think it will revitalize the
industry. Game players everywhere, and particularly women, will like the
idea of a beautiful, nonviolent game in which you can simply explore and
have fun. The fan base out there is gigantic and incredibly loyal.

Let’s talk about the other new Myst game for a minute. The
3D version of Myst will be out sooner than Exile. Are you
eager to play it?

Oh, yes. Actually I just received a beta copy, and so far playing
the game is a totally different experience from the original Myst.
Not only do you have the freedom of movement you get with 3D, but
the environmental effects–trees, fog, rain, water–are unbelievable.

I’m not crazy about the new name of 3D Myst: RealMyst. I actually
liked Myst Dimensions better. What do you think?

I disagree. Fans found the title Myst Dimensions confusing.
After Myst, Riven, Ages of Myst, Myst Masterpiece, etc., it just
sounded too much like another repackaging to them. Like you could go
into Best Buy and it wouldn’t stand out on the shelf at all. The new
name, RealMyst, communicates real-time, and that’s the important
concept to get across. With real-time rendering, it makes the game a
truly new experience.

The fans are really excited about this new game. The idea of being
able to walk around freely in on the island is extremely appealing.

I take it the fans on Rivenguild are just a little bit excited about
the two new games?

Our traffic on Rivenguild has been going through the roof. It’s
increasing at unprecedented levels. It’s unlike anything we’ve seen before!

We at Just Adventure + thank Gordon for his time and congratulate
him on his new gig: He’s the webmaster and lead developer for the official
websites for both new Myst games! His work on Rivenguild so impressed
Presto and Cyan that he was approached to design the sites for the new
games.