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Uru Live is a game for the Ages

By Tom Sowa toms@spokesman.com(509) 459-5492

The new online role-playing game Uru Live will launch officially Thursday, according to a press release at the Web site of GameTap Entertainment.

Uru Live has been in development by Spokane-based Cyan Worlds for more than three years. And the company’s staff, along with gameplayers worldwide, have been beta-testing Uru Live for several months.

The game is the online multiplayer version of Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, which was the later and more complex version of Myst, the original breakout CD-ROM game developed by Cyan Worlds in 1995.

Because of the complexity and multiplayer option, Uru Live requires a broadband connection. Players must subscribe to GameTap in order to play Uru Live.

GameTap – at www.gametap.com – is a division of Turner Broadcast System. The site provides allows gamers a one-stop point for discovering hundreds of online games.

Uru Live players are able to assume an identity and add characteristics as the game evolves. Uru places them inside any of seven worlds or Ages where they explore and interact with other gameplayers, using voice and player controls. Uru Live takes place in the present day, presented in part as an archaeological discovery of the ancient civilization of D’ni, the location of the original Myst saga.

All of the game play occurs in 3D, along with immersive sound.

The tech support provided for the game will be based at Cyan Worlds’ Mead office. Workers will be online to answer questions and prompt gameplayers to resolve problems by using clues or following leads.

This is the second official launch for Uru Live. Three years ago an earlier version was developed for software distributor UbiSoft Entertainment.

After releasing the box version of Uru, UbiSoft cancelled plans to launch an online version.

Within several months, however, Cyan Worlds landed the new deal with GameTap to revive Uru Live.

If the game gains followers and subscribers, Cyan Worlds will develop new content and additional game challenges. When released, the game will allow players in 14 countries to log on and interact.

For now, Uru Live is only available for PCs.

For information on the game and how to subscribe to GameTap in order to play Uru Live, go to www.urulive.com.