Frequently Asked Questions

Regarding The Stories

1. Did you write the stories yourself?
2. Hey, can you tell me how to.....
3. Where is the Cormecka Age?
4. Is the player a man or a woman?
5. Do the stories follow the true Myst story?
6. What's next?

Miscellaneous

1. Can I link to your site?
2. Can I print out the stories?

Regarding The Story

Did you write stories yourself?

Yes. The Myst Journals was written back in 1995. The Riven Expedition was written in 1999/2000. As of yet, there is no schedule for the writing of Myst 3.

Hey, can you tell me how to......

If you need help playing the games, you have two options. Read the story, or visit a walkthough site that gives you clues and nudges to take you along. While I appreciate feedback, I don't always have time to give out clues or solutions to puzzles.

Where is the Cormecka Age?

I created Cormecka to create a stronger sense of closure to the game. I felt it was required for the Hero to get on with future adjustments in his life, and I thought that the Cormecka Age would be a nice, interesting way of reflecting on the new challenges ahead.

In the revision of the story, I will replace Cormecka with Rime.

Is the player a man or a woman?

The stories area written in the first person perspective, but give no clue as to the identity of the author. It could be a man or a woman. The idea is that it could be anyone.

Do the stories follow the true Myst story?

No. I originally wrote the story as a walk-through to the game. But the game took some creative liberties for the benefit of the player that aren't possible according to the true story of Myst.

For example...

1. People cannot communicate through a Book. Atrus could never have told you about the white page.
2. Time stands still in a Prison Book. When Sirrus and Achenar were trapped, they were frozen in a split second in time. They couldn't communicate with outsiders because they were in a suspended state. Also, according to Cyan sources, when the player is trapped in the Prison Book (Riven), Gehn waited 2 weeks before he attempted to follow the player to D'ni.
3. We can't see the other side of a Linking Window. We never would have been able to see Gehn prepare to link into the Prison Book.

What's Next?

An upgrade to the Myst Journals to accomodate the changes introduced in realMyst. When Myst 3 comes out, I'll start working on a plan to write a walk-through.

Miscellaneous

Can I link to your site?

Sure, feel free. The best URL to reference is http://www.visi.com/~cpj1/myst/

Can I print out the stories?

There are no restrictions on printouts; but I would strongly encourage printing out the story in full duplex mode. A printout of The Myst Journals is roughly 60 pages. A printout of The Riven Expedition is roughly 200 pages.

Have you written anything else?

Mostly technical articles.

Designing A Scalable News Server Network

SysAdmin Magazine, August 1999