Myst Turns 14

Today is the 14th anniversary of the publication of Myst in 1993. (I know, what's with me and weird anniversaries lately?) Well, this one's important to me, so deal. Myst, if you didn't know, is a graphical adventure game. It was the first to use CD-ROM, and was largely responsible for the acceptance of the new format for use in computers. It used pre-rendered 3D scenes which are beautifil, and in 1993 they were mind boggling for those of us who were used to playing things like Doom. It was surreal, beautiful, enchanting, mysterious, exciting, puzzling, frustrating, all the things that make a great game. It was the best-selling computer game for about a decade until it was surpassed by the Sims.

As you may have guessed, I was obsessed. Me and my best friend Nick would spend hours at each other's houses working on it, comparing notes, and drawing maps. I've read all the books, I own all the games (sadly I haven't had time to finish them all!). There was a time when I could tell you anything about the people, language, mathematics, story, puzzles, easter eggs in the Myst and Riven games.

Anyway, the point is I love Myst, and I think I'll play it tonight in tribute.

Shorah!

Happy Hobbit Day!

The Hobbit was published on this date 70 years ago. And Bilbo's and Frodo's birthday party would be tomorrow, the 22nd. Let the fantasy geekness flow like wine!

One of my life's dreams (up until 2001) was to help out on the set during the production of one of the LOTR movies. I knew one day somebody would make them, it just had to happen. If Peter Jackson had waited a couple more years I would have totally taken a year off college to do that! I would have done anything. I'd make coffee for the assistant dirt-sweepers. I'd water the Ents. I'd clean the Balrog's litter-box. But no, they had to go and make the films my last 3 years of high school, when I couldn't escape to New Zealand.

But I digress. Tolkien kicks ass. Anyone who doesn't think so is dead to me. Long live the King!