The release of Myst V: End of Ages is going to arrive within a few weeks. Unfortunately, the release of this game also signifies the death of its parent company, Cyan Worlds. After the incredible “blunder” that was Uru - which I purchased - Cyan Worlds was left toppling from years of wasted labour and squandered funds. So, they began to shape Myst V as a finale to their entire series and their entire company.

It grieves me greatly to lose Cyan Worlds to the ravages of destruction. They are one of an extremely small group of companies that propogates a certain level of intelligent gaming. Even though many would frown and say that Myst games are excessively difficult, the undeniable fact is that these games make you think more than any other. It is because of my history with Myst that I liked the Metroid Prime series on Nintendo Gamecube. It has a certain blend of Myst like exploration and reading, mixed with a bit of sexy female bounty hunter gun fights.

But Myst…it was the elite. Sitting right now, in my desk drawer, are all of the Myst games released to date. In fact, I have two copies of the original Myst and two copies of Myst III (because I bought the Myst IV collector’s edition). I’ve played them through on many occasions, and felt such contentment with their successful conclusion that I can’t even express it in words. With Cyan Worlds melting into nothing, the gaming universe will become limited in certain aspects. The familiar streets will be contorted into shapes and figures that I can no longer recognize. I’ll tap a shopkeeper on the shoulder and say, “What happened to the chaps who made Myst?” He’ll shrug his shoulders and walk away, leaving me to weep in the sands of an unforgiving desert.

R.I.P. Cyan Worlds R.I.P. Myst

I grew up playing your games. I’ve been fully absorbed into D’ni culture. I learned how to count in D’ni numerals. I befriended Atrus. I saved Catherine. I rescued the D’ni survivors. I stopped Sirius, and I felt sadness as Achenar sacrificed his life for Yeesha. I’ve lived Myst, and now to have its future taken away is like being violated. I can’t say I like it. It leaves a foul taste behind. Did my quest to find the white page mean nothing? When I plummeted down the Star Fissue to grasp the Linking Book, did I realise that it would all lead to nothing?

No. That isn’t fair. Myst has done plenty of good.

Thanks for the memories.

“Briefly he looked about him at the room he’d made, pleased by his efforts, then, picking up his pen again, he began to write, setting down the final words. The ending that was not a final ending.”

I think I’m going to play…no…live Myst…for old time’s sake.

• Jordan