From Myst to Riven: The Creations and Inspirations

by Richard Kadrey, Rand Miller (Foreword), Robyn Miller (Foreword)

With full-color photographs, MYST / RIVEN: The Art of the Game gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the luminous art and fantastic creation of the world's bestselling CD-ROM phenomenon, MYST, and its stunning sequel, RIVEN.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Game Design, Video Games, Reference, Games, Gaming

128 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Richard Kadrey is a writer and freelance musician living in Pittsburgh, best known for his Sandman Slim novels. His work has been nominated for the Locus and BSFA awards. Kadrey's newest books are The Secrets of Insects, released in August 2023; The Dead Take the A Train (with Cassandra Khaw), released in September 2023; The Pale House Devil, released in September 2023.

Reviews

[Ben Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very in-depth and insightful book about the making of Riven. Lots of behind the scenes information, images, anecdotes and development philosophies, and all thoughtfully collected in a reverent, easy to read package. It does contain some solutions to things that should be learned from playing the game itself, so if you haven’t completed the game and are averse to having solutions given to you, finish the game first. But otherwise, this is the sort of book that I would happily buy for many of my favourite titles. Wonderful stuff.

[Austin Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this in anticipation of Cyan's forthcoming new game, 'Obduction'.

An extended 'Making of' piece with lavish illustrations. Richard Kadrey was a great choice, he writes with the enthusiasm of liner copy from a vinyl record sleeve. It doesn't feel hyperbolic because Riven was a watershed moment. Everything in that game - puzzles, environment, art - served narrative and world-building.

This is perhaps my second-favorite book about the rise of 'CD-ROM' scale games, after a Dorling Kindersley book whose name escapes me.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Since several Myst sequels have come out by now, this book is rather dated. But Myst and Riven set the bar for a lot of games at the time, so it's almost like video game history. I love the story and culture of the D'ni plus I'm a graphic design buff--this book is perfect for me. Very interesting! (July 2009)

[Dwayne Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

A clumsy puff-piece on the making of Riven, with a bit of a prologue on Cyan, the Millers, and Myst. Kadrey doesn't dig deep - he only skims the surface of bare fact. It's worth looking at for the art and summary of the development process, but read Jon Carroll's two pieces for WIRED magazine (Guerrillas in the Myst and (D)Riven) for a more meaningful look at the human factor behind Myst and Riven. It's unfortunate that a quarter-century later we still have so little true critique or analysis of evangelicalism's greatest contributions to video games.

[Lewis Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully presented book that basically gives any Myst fan a gorgeous coffee table piece to paw through. While the actual writing is a little dry, it does give you a fascinating insight into the world of early 3D game development that surprisingly hasn’t changed much in the years since. Plus you get lovely high resolution imagery from the games. A must-own for Myst fans.

[madly · Rating 5 out of 5]

such an amazing art & behind the scenes book!!! a vast attention to detail & explanations of the entire creative process that will be compelling to all fans of the myst games!!

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art in this book is, of course, gorgeous. The text mostly covers the tech involved in rendering Riven, which it was released in conjunction with, with some sidelights on Myst and other aspects of the Riven creative process.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an outstanding book! Much better than the games"

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lavishly illustrated volume showing graphic techniques and preliminary art used in the making of the Myst and Riven games. This book, more than the games, inspired me to learn 3d graphics.

[Valarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful documentary of the development of Riven, mostly, with a few comments on Myst. Mostly I loved the gorgeous, full-page screenshots and the concept sketches throughout.

[Earl Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the game, this is great eye candy that goes with it..