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1UP.com has published a new article examining the death of Massively Multiplayer Online worlds like Cyan World's ill fated Myst Online: Uru Live. The article features comments from Cyan's Rand Miller and explores the reactions of some of the Myst faithful.

We'll never know how successful the game was -- Turner, like most MMO publishers, wouldn't release subscriber information for the Uru population. Like Telltale Games' Sam & Max episodes, the game was available through GameTap. "While it was never crowded, I really felt like the Uru community was family," says Jason Horowitz, a dedicated Myst fan from Manhattan. "Not crowded" isn't how most publishers like to see their online games, and Uru was never mainstream like the original Myst. Even so, the effect of Uru's Armageddon on its players is just as strong as if Blizzard decided to board up Azeroth and take their marbles home. "It's sort of a shock," admits Horowitz. "I really feel like they just nuked the site from orbit."

Miller has no idea what's next. "I don't want to be part of the game that wouldn't die," Miller jokes. "But at the same time? we've grown to love this thing." Myst has dominated most of Miller's career -- 15 years of linking books, photo-realistic backdrops, and Brian Eno-inspired soundtracks. "We put a lot of our eggs in the Myst and Uru basket," he says. "But we've got some other ideas that we would love to try and build."

For his part, Miller seems almost resigned about the death of his world. "In some ways, things have to die before they can be resurrected in a different way."

Horowitz isn't quite so philosophical in the wake of Uru's last day.

"What am I supposed to do now? Take up fishing?

1UP.com: Massively Multiplayer Armageddon

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Myst Online: Uru Live (add to watch list)

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