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Two interesting new interviews with Rand Miller, CEO of Cyan Worlds, have recently been posted around the web. The recent success of Myst 3: Exile (#1 on the PC game charts) continues the tremendous success of the series, even though Cyan purposefully stayed away from game's development. Instead, they are now completely focused on their next 'broadband' title with the code name of Mudpie (and the internal name of Parable).

A quick Q&A with Miller at the Adrenaline Vault asks for more detail about the new game, as well as revealing only the second screen shot of Mudpie. While very few details are known about the game so far, it's expected to be a non-violent world open for exploration. Here's an excerpt explaining more:

What can you tell us about MudPie's design at this stage, so that our readers can be more informed about the game and the technologies we’re discussing?

MudPie is designed to provide a player with never-ending places to explore and experience. Exploration is the key. MudPie will provide many different kinds of "play," including, but not limited to, experiences similar to Myst, Riven and Exile. However, it is designed for the exploration to be shared, both in and out of the game. The adventures in-game will facilitate small groups of friends exploring together, discovering or even competing. The worlds themselves are wrapped around the rich D'ni history, making use of the incredible amount of information that has been translated from the numerous D'ni transcripts. The fact that the D'ni had been able to write books that could take them to an unlimited number of fantastic Ages is an amazing construct for MudPie. The story will unravel itself as the world is explored.

The Spokesman-Review has also talked with Miller. In their interview, they focus more on Exile and the history of the series for this Spokane-based company. He also notes there will probably be yet another game in the series beyond Exile, as well as his thoughts while playing through the game. Here's a quote from Miller about the slower pace of the series, and how that might change with Mudpie:

People love to explore, dig deeper, see what's around the corner. And it's satisfying to do that in ways that aren't so twitchy and frenetic. There's a wonderful sense of achievement when you do that in a deliberate, cerebral manner.

Having said that, we're putting stuff in our next project that involves riding creatures and grabbing things and team competitions. But it continues to be one of our goals to build exploration into every play experience.

Cyan Worlds Web Site

Avault Interview with Rand Miller

Spokesman-Review Interview with Rand Miller

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