Cyan
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 1987
- Employees
- 11-50
- Offices
- 1
About Cyan
Cyan is an independent American video game developer and publisher based in Mead, Washington, near Spokane. Founded in 1987 by brothers Rand and Robyn Miller, the studio creates first-person puzzle adventures built around exploration, environmental storytelling and immersive worlds. Its work spans desktop games, online experiences and virtual reality, with a continuing focus on the Myst and Riven franchises alongside original projects.
The brothers began developing exploratory children's software in their parents' basement. Early releases included The Manhole in 1988, Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel in 1989, and Spelunx and the Caves of Mr. Seudo in 1991. These games preceded the studio's breakthrough with Myst in 1993, which used pre-rendered 3D environments to present a world players could investigate through observation and puzzle solving.
Released in 1997, Riven: The Sequel to Myst expanded that approach. Cyan subsequently explored online multiplayer worlds through Uru: Ages Beyond Myst and Myst Online: Uru Live, while continuing the broader series with projects including realMyst and Myst V: End of Ages.
New worlds and rebuilt classics
In the 2010s, Cyan adopted crowdfunding and modern real-time 3D technology for new adventures. Obduction, released in 2016, introduced a separate science-fiction setting, followed by Firmament in 2023. The studio has also rebuilt its earlier work for contemporary hardware: its new version of Myst arrived in 2020, and a ground-up remake of Riven followed in June 2024. These projects extend its work across conventional screens and VR platforms.
Cyan's capabilities encompass game design, programming, art, sound design and production, alongside VR adaptation and spatial interaction. Through its internal publishing label, Cyan Ventures, launched in November 2018, the company also supports external independent developers with publishing, marketing, distribution and production mentorship. Its published projects include Eagre Games' ZED, Numinous Games' AREA MAN LIVES and Pontoco's The Last Clockwinder, with development credited to those respective studios.
More about Cyan
Leadership
- Rand Miller serves as CEO and co-founder. Hannah Gamiel is Development Director, and Eric A. Anderson is Creative Director.
- Co-founder Robyn Miller departed in 1999 to pursue film production.
Production technology
- Cyan's earliest children's software used Apple's HyperCard.
- The studio developed its online Uru worlds using its proprietary Plasma engine. It later adopted Unreal Engine, with the 2024 Riven remake built in Unreal Engine 5.
Operating history
- Reporting in April 2024 described approximately 25–30% of the workforce as working remotely; this is historical context rather than a verified current proportion.
- In late March 2025, Cyan announced layoffs affecting 12 staff members, roughly half its workforce, citing difficult industry economic conditions. The supplied research reports continued operations, community engagement and new-project prototyping.
Notable credits
20 creditsOffices
Where Cyan is based
- 14617 North Newport Highway, Mead, Washington 99021-9378, USAMead, Washington, United States
Mead office
HeadquartersAbout this office
Overall corporate headquarters and primary production facility, housing executive management, engineering, art, narrative design and community operations. Cyan Ventures operates within the same facility.
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