Myst IV: Revelation
Developer(s)	Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher(s)	Ubisoft
Designer(s)	Patrick Fortier (creative director, lead game designer) Mary DeMarle (writer, game designer) Geneviève Lord (producer)
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox
Release date	September 29, 2004 (Mac) NA September 29, 2004 (Windows} NA September 29, 2004 (Xbox) NA March 28, 2005
Genre(s)	Adventure
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Teen (T) PEGI: 7+ PEGI: 6+ (PT)
Media	DVD-ROM
Input methods	Mouse

Myst IV: Revelation is the fourth installment in the Myst computer game series of adventure games, developed and published by Ubisoft. A video game developer is a software developer (a business or an individual that creates Video games A developer may specialize in a certain video Ubisoft Montreal is a Canadian Video game developer located in Montreal, Quebec. Ubisoft Entertainment (formerly Ubi Soft) ( is a French computer and Video game publisher and developer with headquarters in A "game designer" is a person who designs Video games or one who designs traditional games such as Board games Video Games Designer A video game designer A creative director is a position usually found within the Advertising, media or entertainment industries but may be useful in other creative organizations A "game designer" is a person who designs Video games or one who designs traditional games such as Board games Video Games Designer A video game designer A game producer is the person in charge of overseeing development of a Video game. In Computing, a platform describes some sort of Hardware architecture or Software framework (including Application frameworks, that allows Microsoft Windows is a series of Software Operating systems and Graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Mac OS X (mæk oʊ ɛs tɛn is a line of computer Operating systems developed marketed and sold by Apple Inc, the latest of which is pre-loaded on all currently The Xbox is a sixth-generation Video game console produced by Microsoft Corporation. Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Events January 20 — Wired s Vaporware Awards gives its first "Lifetime Achievement Award" to recurring winner Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Events January 20 — Wired s Vaporware Awards gives its first "Lifetime Achievement Award" to recurring winner Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Events January 20 — Wired s Vaporware Awards gives its first "Lifetime Achievement Award" to recurring winner Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. Events March 6 &mdash The television show 60 Minutes tackles issues within Video game controversy. See also [[Game classification]] Video games are categorized into Genres based on their Gameplay interaction An adventure game is a type of Video game characterized by investigation exploration puzzle-solving, interaction with game characters and a focus on Narrative In video gaming, single-player refers to the variant of a particular game where input from only one player is expected throughout the course of the gaming session A video game content rating system is a system used for the classification of Video games into suitability-related groups The Entertainment Software Rating Board ( ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that applies and enforces ratings, Advertising guidelines and Pan European Game Information ( PEGI) is a European Video game content rating system. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Digital media (as opposed to analog media) usually refers to Electronic media that work on digital Codes. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is In Computing, a mouse (plural mice, mouse devices, or mouses) Myst is a franchise centered around a series of Fantasy - adventure video games Drawing influences from stories they read as children brothers Robyn A personal computer Game (also known as a computer game or simply PC game) is a Video game played on a Personal computer, rather An adventure game is a type of Video game characterized by investigation exploration puzzle-solving, interaction with game characters and a focus on Narrative Ubisoft Entertainment (formerly Ubi Soft) ( is a French computer and Video game publisher and developer with headquarters in Myst IV was the first game released exclusively on a DVD-ROM format; a multiple CD-ROM version was not produced as it had for previous Myst titles such as Riven and Myst III: Exile as it would have taken twelve compact discs to fit all the data. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is CD-ROM (an initialism of "Compact Disc Read-Only Memory " is a pre-pressed Compact Disc that contains data accessible to but not writable Riven is the Sequel to the highly successful computer game Myst. Myst III Exile is the third title in the Myst series of first person adventure video games Although its predecessors Myst ^[1] Like Myst III, Revelation combines pre-rendered graphics with digital video, but also features real-time 3D effects for added realism.

The plot of Revelation ties up loose ends from the original Myst. The player is summoned by Atrus, a scientist who creates links to other worlds known as Ages by writing special linking books. The ''Myst'' series of adventure computer games deal with the events following the player's discovery of a mysterious book describing an island known as Myst Nearly twenty years earlier, Atrus' two sons, Sirrus and Achenar destroyed many of Atrus' books and attempted to imprison their parents in a quest for power before being imprisoned; Atrus wishes to see if their long imprisonment has reformed them. The ''Myst'' series of adventure computer games deal with the events following the player's discovery of a mysterious book describing an island known as Myst The player ends up traveling to each brother's prison Age, as well as a dreamworld, in an effort to recover Atrus' daughter Yeesha from the brother's plot.

Development of Myst IV lasted more than three years and cost millions of dollars; Ubisoft had as many as eighty employees working on the game. ^[2] Musician Peter Gabriel lended his voice and a song to the game's audio; the original score was written by Exile's composer Jack Wall. Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950 in Chobham, Surrey, England) is an English Musician and Songwriter. Jack Wall may refer to Jack Wall (composer, American video game music composer Jack Wall (politician (born 1945 Irish Labour Party As many of the applications the animators wanted to improve work flow did not exist, the developers created animation tools expressly for the game's development; as Ubisoft did not have experience in prerendered games, the developers hired outside experts in the field.

Overall, reception to the game was postive; reviewers lauded the impressive visuals, sound, and puzzles. A few publications such as Computer Gaming World took issue with the control scheme of the game. Computer Gaming World ( CGW) was founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication Myst IV would be the final game in the Myst series to use both prerendered backgrounds and full-motion video; the final game in the series, End of Ages, would be rendered in real-time throughout. Myst V End of Ages is the fifth and final installment in the Myst Adventure game series

Gameplay

Screenshot of the Serenia Age; each world in Myst IV has its own distinct visual style. ^[3] The visuals of the game were positively received upon release.

Myst IV: Revelation is an adventure game, with the player experiencing all gameplay from the eyes of an unnamed protagonist. The Stranger is how the Player character of the Myst series of games is known in Myst canon Players explore interactive worlds known as Ages by using the mouse or keyboard, solving puzzles and uncovering the game's narrative. Players cannot move freely across each Age;^[4] instead, as in the previous games in the Myst series, players travel by clicking to set locations called "nodes", which can be viewed 360 degrees in any direction. ^[4] Revelation also features a Zip Mode which allows a method of rapidly crossing explored areas by skipping intermediate nodes; areas that can be instantly traveled to are stored as thumbnail representations which can be clicked on at any time. ^[5]

The mouse cursor plays an important role in providing visual cues for player actions and movement. The cursor appears as a hand, which changes depending on what the player is hovering the cursor over. ^[6] For example, to move in a direction, the cursor changes to point in the intended direction. If players can view an item in greater detail, the cursor changes to a hand holding a magnifying glass. magnifying glass (called a hand lens in laboratory contexts is a convex lens which is used to produce a magnified Image of an object By clicking and dragging the cursor, the player performs actions such as pushing, pulling, and tapping items. ^[7]

Revelation features several gameplay enhancements which aid puzzle solving and plot progression. Early in the game players receive a camera, which can be used to take screenshots or pictures of clues. ^[6] To annotate pictures or jot down notes for later access, player can use an on-screen journal; the camera and journal save the player the task of copying down notes and clues onto paper, as was often needed for previous Myst games. ^[8] Much of the game's story is revealed via flashbacks triggered by an amulet which has the power to relay memories attached to objects. ^[5] Zip mode, the amulet, the camera, and the journal are constantly available via a menu on the bottom of the game screen. ^[5]

Plot

Atrus calls his friend, the Stranger (the player), to his home to request assistance. The ''Myst'' series of adventure computer games deal with the events following the player's discovery of a mysterious book describing an island known as Myst The Stranger is how the Player character of the Myst series of games is known in Myst canon A player of a Game is a participant therein The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in Game theory and in ordinary recreational Games Atrus is the writer of special books which serve as links to worlds known as Ages. Years earlier, his two sons, Sirrus and Achenar, went rampant, destroying various linking books and imprisoning both Atrus and his wife Catherine. The ''Myst'' series of adventure computer games deal with the events following the player's discovery of a mysterious book describing an island known as Myst The Stranger's intervention during these events saved Atrus, who then imprisoned his own sons for their misdeeds. As it has been twenty years since their imprisonment, Catherine hopes they have finally repented for their crimes, in which case they would be allowed to come home. Atrus is not as sure his sons have reformed, and so wishes the Stranger to act as an impartial judge. After Atrus is called away to attend to another matter, an explosion knocks the Stranger unconscious. It is soon revealed that Yeesha, Atrus' daughter, has disappeared and that someone else has been in Atrus' home. The ''Myst'' series of adventure computer games deal with the events following the player's discovery of a mysterious book describing an island known as Myst

The Stranger sets out to find Yeesha. Travelling to the brothers' prison Ages of Spire and Haven, the Stranger discovers both have escaped their confinement. When the Stranger finds Yeesha again, Achenar appears and tells the Stranger not to free his sister. Achenar explains that his brother kidnapped Yeesha with the intent of switching minds with his sister, tricking Atrus and Catherine into teaching Sirrus the Art of writing Ages. Achenar insists that he has reformed and he only escaped so that he could protect his sister. The ending to the game depends on the player's actions; in some endings, Sirrus succeeds in transferring his mind to Yeesha's body and dispenses with both the Stranger and Achenar. I the only good ending, the Stranger trusts Achenar and helps save Yeesha. Sirrus dies from the failed mind transfer, while Achenar is fatally poisoned by toxic fumes in order to save his sister. The Stranger returns Yeesha to her parents. Though pained by his sons' deaths, Atrus resolves to continue on and rectify his past mistakes by properly raising Yeesha. ^[9]

Development

Development screenshot of a hyena-like predator, part of an effort by the developers to make Myst less static. The Hyaenidae is a Mammalian family of order Carnivora. The Hyaenidae family native to both African and Asian continents consists of four ^[3]

Development of Revelation took over three years^[10] and more than eighty employees. ^[2]

Early on, the development team made the decision to use pre-rendered graphics for the game, to match the style of previous Myst games. ^[11] This proved to be a challenge, as the studio had never developed a pre-rendered game before, and had to hire over fifty new employees who had experience in the field. Full production was started on the game before artistic direction and engine development tools were fully established, and the resulting lack of focus and communication meant that a bad working relationship existed between the game designers, programmers, and modellers for most of the production. ^[3]

The game broke new ground in the field of prerendered games. Like Myst III: Exile, the game has full 360° panoramic environments with two-dimensional panning in each location, allowing the user to look up/down and left/right at the same time. Myst III Exile is the third title in the Myst series of first person adventure video games Although its predecessors Myst

Unlike the previous games Myst, Riven and Exile, Myst IV uses its "ALIVE" engine to animate nearly everything in the game. Myst is a graphic adventure Video game designed and directed by the brothers Robyn and Rand Miller. Riven is the Sequel to the highly successful computer game Myst. Myst III Exile is the third title in the Myst series of first person adventure video games Although its predecessors Myst The water animations, for example, are fully rendered for each location. The trees sway in the breeze, and the sky has moving clouds. Also, a great deal of wildlife is seen, including creatures that walk through the environment and occasionally interact with the player, such as a frog that hops away when you "poke" it with the 3-D hand cursor. Also, the game features a number of effects applied in real time, such as lens flares, dynamic lighting and an optional focal blur.

In a trend started by the original Myst, the game uses live actors to play the game's roles in live-action video sequences, including series co-creator Rand Miller, who again plays the part of Atrus. Myst is a graphic adventure Video game designed and directed by the brothers Robyn and Rand Miller. Rand Miller (born January 17, 1959, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, U The ''Myst'' series of adventure computer games deal with the events following the player's discovery of a mysterious book describing an island known as Myst There is more than 70 minutes of video and the game usually allows players to look around and sometimes interact with the video while it is playing.

Audio

Jack Wall composed, conducted, and produced the music for Revelation; the game was his second game score. Jack Wall may refer to Jack Wall (composer, American video game music composer Jack Wall (politician (born 1945 Irish Labour Party ^[12][13] Wall reused, re-orchestrated and expanded themes composed by previous Myst composer Robyn Miller, for example reusing Atrus' Theme from Riven and the brother's leitmotifs from the original game. Robyn Charles Miller (born August 6, 1966, in Dallas, Texas) co-founded Cyan Worlds (originally A leitmotif (ˌlaɪtmoʊˈtiːf (also leitmotiv; lit "leading motif" is a recurring Musical theme, associated with a particular person place ^[14]

In addition to Jack Wall's score, the game features a song by Peter Gabriel entitled "Curtains", originally a B-side from Gabriel's single "Don't Give Up". Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950 in Chobham, Surrey, England) is an English Musician and Songwriter. " Don't Give Up " is a duet recorded by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush for Gabriel's album So. Gabriel also performed a voiceover for the game. ^[15]

Reception

Overall, Revelation was received positively by critics, with the game garnering 82% and 81% averages on Metacritic and Game Rankings, respectively;^[19][20] the Xbox port of the game received less favorable scores than the PC version. IGN (abbreviated and formerly known as I magine G ames N etwork is a multimedia news and reviews Website that focuses heavily on Video Metacritic is a Website that collates reviews of music Albums games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and Books. Game Rankings is a Website which keeps track of Video game reviews from other sites and combines them to present an average rating for each game Metacritic is a Website that collates reviews of music Albums games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and Books. Game Rankings is a Website which keeps track of Video game reviews from other sites and combines them to present an average rating for each game ^[21][22]

As with previous Myst games, the visuals and interactivity of Revelation were singled out as the strongest features. ^[4] The use of subtle animations to bring the scenery to life was particularly praised, with Gamespot's Greg Kasavin stating that the additions "truly helps make each scene in the game seem like more than just a panoramic picture, and instead it feels like a real place". GameSpot is a video gaming Website that provides News, Reviews Previews Downloads and other information Gregory A Kasavin (born 21 August 1977 in Moscow) is the former site director and executive editor at the gaming website GameSpot. ^[9] Jack Wall's score and the sound design was consistently praised. ^[16] The addition of the in-game camera and notes system was also positively received. ^[4][6] Computer and Video Games proclaimed that while it would have been easy for the developers to lose heart after the disappointing Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, Ubisoft had instead produced "one of the most polished games" the publication staff had ever come across. Computer and Video Games ( CVG) is a Video game Magazine and website published in the United Kingdom. Uru Ages Beyond Myst is a Computer game developed by Cyan Worlds and published by Ubisoft ^[17]

Certain reviewers took issue with aspects of the gameplay which had not been fixed or altered. Computer Gaming World, for example, complained about having to hunt for the small hotspots which allowed actions to occur. Computer Gaming World ( CGW) was founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication ^[6] A reviewer for The Houston Chronicle judged the method of traveling from node to node was tiresome to navigate. The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily Newspaper in Texas, USA. ^[23] Other complaints included the slow cursor animations which made looking for actions occasionally tedious. Many publications noted the rather steep computer requirements; in addition to requiring a DVD-ROM drive, the game took up more than 7 gigabytes when fully installed. A gigabyte (derived from the SI prefix Giga-) is a unit of Information or Computer ^[24][17]

Revelation would be the last Myst game which used prerendered graphics or full motion video. Cyan Worlds, the original developers of both Myst and Riven, used realtime graphics for the next installment in the series, Myst V: End of Ages. Cyan Worlds Inc (formerly Cyan Inc) is a Computer game company founded by brothers Rand and Robyn Miller in 1987 Myst V End of Ages is the fifth and final installment in the Myst Adventure game series Myst V would prove to be the final game in the series. ^[25]

References

External links

• Official website
• Myst IV: Revelation at MobyGames