Myst-Creator Cyan Reduces Workforce by 50% Amidst Efforts to Secure Funding for New Project

The team that brought us VR gems like Myst, Riven, Firmament, and Obduction has, unfortunately, had to let go of about half of its staff, which amounts to around a dozen talented individuals.

Cyan released a heartfelt statement:

“Today, we are sharing some difficult news. Despite our best efforts to prevent it, Cyan has made the hard decision to reduce our team size. This means saying goodbye to twelve incredibly skilled staff members, which makes up nearly half of our team, effective at the end of March.”

The challenging conditions in the gaming industry today have put us in a tight spot. We have to balance the long-term survival of our studio with the day-to-day challenges of developing games in 2025. Over the past year, we’ve been upfront with our entire team about the rough patch we’re navigating and the hurdles that lie ahead. So, while the layoffs didn’t catch the team off guard, it remains a deeply sad development for everyone involved.

We have tried to make the transition easier for those affected by offering severance packages. We urge any developers in search of top-tier talent to get in touch with these individuals.

Our main focus right now is securing funding for our next big project and getting the studio back on solid ground. Cyan has been through tough times before and has always managed to pull through. We genuinely hope to continue offering the unique experiences that only Cyan can provide.

We are always thankful for the unwavering love and support from our incredible player community.

Interestingly, while they mentioned the need for funding, Cyan did not specifically refer to VR, despite being one of the few teams with a knack for crafting titles that utilize hand tracking technology.

It makes one wonder why big players like Apple, Meta, Google, Valve, Sony, and others haven’t stepped in to support teams like Cyan in creating more groundbreaking VR experiences.