Robyn Miller: Difference between revisions

Robyn Miller
Robyn Miller
	Miller in 2013
Born	August 6, 1966 (age 58); Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Artist, computer game designer, composer, director, actor
Website	www.robynmiller.net

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Robyn Charles Miller (born August 6, 1966) is an American video game designer who is the co-founder of Cyan Worlds with brother Rand Miller. He served as co-designer of the popular computer game Myst, which held the title of best-selling computer game from its release in 1993 until the release of The Sims seven years later.^[1]^[2] He also co-directed and co-lead designed the sequel to Myst, Riven,^[3] which was the best-selling computer game of its year of release, 1997.^[4] Miller composed and performed the soundtracks to both games.^[5] He also acted in Myst, portraying one of the antagonists, Sirrus (with brother and Cyan-cofounder Rand appearing as Achenar and Atrus).^[5] He co-wrote the first Myst novel, The Book of Atrus.

After the release of Riven, Miller left Cyan to pursue non-game interests, including films.^[6] He is the director of the 2013 film The Immortal Augustus Gladstone.^[7]

Early works

Miller served as a designer on Cyan Worlds's early games The Manhole, Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel and Spelunx.^[8]

Myst and Riven

Miller is known for his contributions in the areas of direction and design, especially in the area of visual design—the look and feel of the Myst and Riven worlds. Richard Vander Wende, co-director and co-designer of Riven, was likewise responsible for orchestrating the visual language of that world.^[9]^[8]

Composer

While at Cyan, Miller composed the soundtracks for both Myst and Riven.

In 2005 he worked on a musical project named Ambo,^[10] with W. Keith Moore.

In December 2013, he released the soundtrack for his debut film The Immortal Augustus Gladstone in digital format on Gumroad.com.

Miller composed the soundtrack for Cyan's Kickstarter-funded video game Obduction, released in August 2016.^[11] This was his first work with Cyan since Riven in 1997. Initially, he had only intended to appear in the game itself (as C.W., one of the few human characters the player interacts with), and had outright said he would not do the soundtrack. After persuasion by his brother Rand, as well as seeing the work being done on the game, he eventually agreed to compose the game's music as well as appear in the game. He stated in an interview that he enjoyed focusing solely on composing, as opposed to the additional production work he had done for Myst and Riven.^[12]

From 2022 to 2023, Miller self-published a compilation series of three albums entitled Lost Tracks featuring various unreleased tracks composed and recorded over his career.^[13]

Director

Miller's debut film project is a fictional documentary film titled The Immortal Augustus Gladstone, a story about a man who believes himself to be a vampire.^[14]^[7]

Discography

Solo albums:

Myst: The Soundtrack (1995)
Riven: The Soundtrack (1998)
The Immortal Augustus Gladstone - Soundtrack (2013)
Obduction - Original Game Soundtrack (2016)
Obduction Redacted - B Sides (EP, 2016)
Little Potato (2017)
Lost Tracks, Pt. I - Myst (2022)
Lost Tracks, Pt. II (2022)
Lost Tracks, Pt. III (2023)

As a member of Ambo:

1000 Years and 1 Day (2005)
Ambo – Day Two - B-Sides (EP, 2005)

Filmography

Video games^[15]^[5]
Year	Work	Credited as					Notes
Year	Work	Director	Designer	Artist	Composer	Actor	Notes
1988	The Manhole	Yes	Yes	Yes	—	No
1989	Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
1991	Spelunx and the Caves of Mr. Seudo	Yes	Yes	Yes	—	No
1993	Myst	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Role: Sirrus (uncredited)
1997	Riven: The Sequel to Myst	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
2016	Obduction	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Role: C.W.

Film^[15]
Year	Film	Credited as					Notes
Year	Film	Director	Writer	Editor	Composer	Actor	Notes
2013	The Immortal Augustus Gladstone	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Role: Augustus Gladstone
2013	The Hero Pose	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Executive producer; short film
2015	Kill Cash Cow Kill	No	No	Yes	No	No	Short film
2017	Little Potato	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Executive producer; short film

References

^ "The Sims overtakes Myst". GameSpot. 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ "Game Over". AllGame. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ "Riven Full Credits". MystJourney.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ Karlin Lillington (1998-03-02). "21st: "Myst" partnership is riven". Salon.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Robyn C. Miller". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ "'Myst' Muse Leaves Game Company / Robyn Miller developing film ideas with new firm". SFGate. 1998-03-05. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ ^a ^b ""AWOL in P-Town"". Theimmortalaugustusgladstone.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ ^a ^b "GDC 2013: Robyn Miller's Myst Postmortem". AdventureGamers.com. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ Bradford, Matt (2014-09-11). "Edge Magazine | GamesRadar". Edge-online.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ "AMBO - 1000 Years and 1 Day". Archived from the original on 2011-06-19. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
^ "Anniversary Two – Huge Obduction Music Announcement! - Obduction - Obduction by Cyan, Inc". Obduction. 2015-11-13. Archived from the original on 2016-10-18. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ Original Sound Version - INTERVIEW with Composer Robyn Miller on the Obduction Soundtrack
^ Miller, Robyn. "Music". robynmiller.net. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
^ Miller, Robyn C. (2013-04-29). "Status and Vampires | 156 Years and Counting". Augustusblog.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
^ ^a ^b Miller, Robyn. "Video Games & Films". robynmiller.net. Retrieved 2018-08-08.

External links

Articles and other

Robyn Miller article at Wired magazine
Riven cover at Wired magazine
Land of Point website (archive)
Robyn Miller interview at Feed Magazine (archive)

[1] "The Sims overtakes Myst". GameSpot. 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[2] "Game Over". AllGame. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[3] "Riven Full Credits". MystJourney.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[4] Karlin Lillington (1998-03-02). "21st: "Myst" partnership is riven". Salon.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[imdb_profile-5] "Robyn C. Miller". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[6] "'Myst' Muse Leaves Game Company / Robyn Miller developing film ideas with new firm". SFGate. 1998-03-05. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[TIG_1-7] ""AWOL in P-Town"". Theimmortalaugustusgladstone.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[ag_24424-8] "GDC 2013: Robyn Miller's Myst Postmortem". AdventureGamers.com. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[9] Bradford, Matt (2014-09-11). "Edge Magazine | GamesRadar". Edge-online.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[10] "AMBO - 1000 Years and 1 Day". Archived from the original on 2011-06-19. Retrieved 2011-05-17.

[11] "Anniversary Two – Huge Obduction Music Announcement! - Obduction - Obduction by Cyan, Inc". Obduction. 2015-11-13. Archived from the original on 2016-10-18. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[12] Original Sound Version - INTERVIEW with Composer Robyn Miller on the Obduction Soundtrack

[website-vg/music-13] Miller, Robyn. "Music". robynmiller.net. Retrieved 2023-11-12.

[14] Miller, Robyn C. (2013-04-29). "Status and Vampires | 156 Years and Counting". Augustusblog.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

[website-vg/films-15] Miller, Robyn. "Video Games & Films". robynmiller.net. Retrieved 2018-08-08.

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+{{short description|American artist}}
 {{for|the Casualty character|Robyn Miller (Casualty)}}
 {{Multiple issues|
 {{BLP sources|date=December 2011}}
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+{{More footnotes needed|date=November 2016}}}}
 {{Infobox person
 | name=Robyn Miller
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 | caption=Miller in 2013
 | birth_date={{Birth date and age|1966|8|6}}
-| birth_place=[[Dallas]], [[Texas]], United States
+| birth_place=[[Dallas, Texas]], U.S.
 | death_date=
 | death_place=
-| occupation=Computer game designer, composer, director, actor
+| occupation=Artist, computer game designer, composer, director, actor
-| salary=
-| networth=
 | website= {{Official URL}}
 }}
-'''Robyn Charles Miller''' (born August 6, 1966) is the co-founder of [[Cyan Worlds]] (originally Cyan) with brother [[Rand Miller]]. He served as co-designer of the popular computer game ''[[Myst]]'', which held the title of best-selling computer game from its release in 1993 until the release of ''[[The Sims]]'' seven years later.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-sims-overtakes-myst/1100-2857556/ |title=The Sims overtakes Myst |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=2006-05-17 |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7900&tab=credits |title=Game Over |publisher=[[AllGame]] |date= |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> He also co-directed and co-lead designed the sequel to ''Myst'', ''[[Riven]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mystjourney.com/riven/studies/credits.php |title=Riven Full Credits |website=MystJourney.com |date= |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> which was the best-selling computer game of its year of release, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|author=Karlin Lillington |url=http://www.salon.com/1998/03/02/feature_339/ |title=21st: “Myst” partnership is riven |website=Salon.com |date=1998-03-02 |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> Miller composed and performed the soundtracks to both games.<ref name="imdb profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0589247|title=Robyn C. Miller|website=IMDb.com|accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> He also acted in Myst, portraying one of the antagonists, [[Sirrus and Achenar|Sirrus]] (with brother and Cyan-cofounder Rand appearing as [[Sirrus and Achenar|Achenar]] and [[Atrus]]).<ref name="imdb profile"/> He co-wrote the first [[The Myst Reader|Myst novel]], ''The Book of Atrus''.
+'''Robyn Charles Miller''' (born August 6, 1966) is an American [[video game]] designer who is the co-founder of [[Cyan Worlds]] with brother [[Rand Miller]]. He served as co-designer of the popular computer game ''[[Myst]]'', which held the title of best-selling computer game from its release in 1993 until the release of ''[[The Sims]]'' seven years later.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-sims-overtakes-myst/1100-2857556/ |title=The Sims overtakes Myst |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=2006-05-17 |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7900&tab=credits |title=Game Over |publisher=[[AllGame]] |date= |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> He also co-directed and co-lead designed the sequel to ''Myst'', ''[[Riven]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mystjourney.com/riven/studies/credits.php |title=Riven Full Credits |website=MystJourney.com |date= |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> which was the best-selling computer game of its year of release, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|author=Karlin Lillington |url=http://www.salon.com/1998/03/02/feature_339/ |title=21st: "Myst" partnership is riven |website=Salon.com |date=1998-03-02 |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> Miller composed and performed the soundtracks to both games.<ref name="imdb profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0589247|title=Robyn C. Miller|website=IMDb.com|accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> He also acted in Myst, portraying one of the antagonists, [[Sirrus and Achenar|Sirrus]] (with brother and Cyan-cofounder Rand appearing as [[Sirrus and Achenar|Achenar]] and [[Atrus]]).<ref name="imdb profile"/> He co-wrote the first [[The Myst Reader|Myst novel]], ''The Book of Atrus''.
-After the release of ''Riven'', Miller left Cyan to pursue non-game interests, including films.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Myst-Muse-Leaves-Game-Company-Robyn-Miller-3012428.php |title=`Myst' Muse Leaves Game Company / Robyn Miller developing film ideas with new firm |publisher=SFGate |date=1998-03-05 |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> He is the director of the 2013 film ''[[The Immortal Augustus Gladstone]]''.<ref name="TIG 1">{{cite web|url=http://theimmortalaugustusgladstone.com/TheImmortalAugustusGladstone/HOME.html |title="AWOL in P-Town" |website=Theimmortalaugustusgladstone.com |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref>
+After the release of ''Riven'', Miller left Cyan to pursue non-game interests, including films.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Myst-Muse-Leaves-Game-Company-Robyn-Miller-3012428.php |title='Myst' Muse Leaves Game Company / Robyn Miller developing film ideas with new firm |publisher=SFGate |date=1998-03-05 |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref> He is the director of the 2013 film ''[[The Immortal Augustus Gladstone]]''.<ref name="TIG 1">{{cite web|url=http://theimmortalaugustusgladstone.com/TheImmortalAugustusGladstone/HOME.html |title="AWOL in P-Town" |website=Theimmortalaugustusgladstone.com |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref>
 ==Early works==
-Miller served as a designer on [[Cyan Worlds]]'s early games ''[[The Manhole]]'', ''[[Spelunx]]'', and ''[[Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel]]''.<ref name="ag 24424">{{cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/24424 |title=GDC 2013: Robyn Miller’s Myst Postmortem |publisher=AdventureGamers.com |date= |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref>
+Miller served as a designer on [[Cyan Worlds]]'s early games ''[[The Manhole]]'', ''[[Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel]]'' and ''[[Spelunx]]''.<ref name="ag 24424">{{cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/24424 |title=GDC 2013: Robyn Miller's Myst Postmortem |publisher=AdventureGamers.com |date= 19 April 2013|accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref>
 ==''Myst'' and ''Riven''==
-Miller is known for his contributions in the areas of direction and design, especially in the area of visual design&mdash;the look and feel of the ''Myst'' and ''Riven'' worlds. [[Richard Vander Wende]], co-director and co-designer of Riven, was likewise responsible for orchestrating the visual language of that world.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bradford |first=Matt |url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/gdc-2013-myst-creator-robyn-miller-on-lying-about-budgets-poverty-and-technical-limitations/ |title=Edge Magazine &#124; GamesRadar |publisher=Edge-online.com |date=2014-09-11 |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref><ref name="ag 24424">{{cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/24424 |title=GDC 2013: Robyn Miller’s Myst Postmortem |publisher=AdventureGamers.com |date= |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref>
+Miller is known for his contributions in the areas of direction and design, especially in the area of visual design&mdash;the look and feel of the ''Myst'' and ''Riven'' worlds. [[Richard Vander Wende]], co-director and co-designer of Riven, was likewise responsible for orchestrating the visual language of that world.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bradford |first=Matt |url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/gdc-2013-myst-creator-robyn-miller-on-lying-about-budgets-poverty-and-technical-limitations/ |title=Edge Magazine &#124; GamesRadar |publisher=Edge-online.com |date=2014-09-11 |accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref><ref name="ag 24424">{{cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/24424 |title=GDC 2013: Robyn Miller's Myst Postmortem |publisher=AdventureGamers.com |date= 19 April 2013|accessdate=2016-11-29}}</ref>
 ==Composer==
 While at Cyan, Miller composed the soundtracks for both ''Myst'' and ''Riven''.
-In 2005 he worked on a musical project named ''Ambo'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tinselman.com/ambo_02.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-05-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619083118/http://tinselman.com/ambo_02.html |archivedate=2011-06-19 }}</ref> with W. Keith Moore.
+In 2005 he worked on a musical project named ''Ambo'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tinselman.com/ambo_02.html |title=AMBO - 1000 Years and 1 Day |accessdate=2011-05-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619083118/http://tinselman.com/ambo_02.html |archivedate=2011-06-19 }}</ref> with W. Keith Moore.
 In December 2013, he released the soundtrack for his debut film ''The Immortal Augustus Gladstone'' in digital format on Gumroad.com.
 Miller composed the soundtrack for Cyan's [[Kickstarter]]-funded video game ''[[Obduction (video game)|Obduction]]'', released in August 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://obduction.com/anniversary-two-huge-obduction-music-announcement/ |title=Anniversary Two – Huge Obduction Music Announcement! - Obduction - Obduction by Cyan, Inc |publisher=Obduction |date=2015-11-13 |accessdate=2016-11-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018195134/http://obduction.com/anniversary-two-huge-obduction-music-announcement/ |archivedate=2016-10-18 }}</ref> This was his first work with Cyan since ''Riven'' in 1997. Initially, he had only intended to appear in the game itself (as C.W., one of the few human characters the player interacts with), and had outright said he would not do the soundtrack. After persuasion by his brother Rand, as well as seeing the work being done on the game, he eventually agreed to compose the game's music as well as appear in the game. He stated in an interview that he enjoyed focusing solely on composing, as opposed to the additional production work he had done for ''Myst'' and ''Riven''.<ref>[http://www.originalsoundversion.com/interview-with-composer-robyn-miller-on-the-obduction-soundtrack/ Original Sound Version - INTERVIEW with Composer Robyn Miller on the Obduction Soundtrack]</ref>
+From 2022 to 2023, Miller self-published a compilation series of three albums entitled ''Lost Tracks'' featuring various unreleased tracks composed and recorded over his career.<ref name="website-vg/music">{{Cite web|first=Robyn|last=Miller|url=http://www.robynmiller.net/|title=Music|website=robynmiller.net|accessdate=2023-11-12}}</ref>
 ==Director==
@@ Line 47: / Line 49: @@
 *''Obduction Redacted - B Sides'' (EP, 2016)
 *''Little Potato'' (2017)
+*''Lost Tracks, Pt. I - Myst'' (2022)
+*''Lost Tracks, Pt. II'' (2022)
+*''Lost Tracks, Pt. III'' (2023)
 As a member of Ambo:
@@ Line 181: / Line 186: @@
 * {{Official website}}
 * [https://tinselman.typepad.com Official blog]
+* {{LastFM music|id=Robyn+Miller}}
+* {{Bandcamp}}
 * {{Discogs artist}}
 * {{Musicbrainz artist}}
+* {{Isfdb name}}
 * {{IMDb name}}
+* {{AllMusic}}
+* {{SoundCloud}}
 * [https://ocremix.org/artist/547/robyn-miller Robyn Miller] profile at [[OverClocked ReMix]]
 * [https://vgmdb.net/artist/996 Robyn Miller] at [[VGMdb]]
+* {{Twitter}}
 ===Articles and other===
@@ Line 200: / Line 211: @@
 [[Category:American male video game actors]]
 [[Category:American video game designers]]
-[[Category:Video game composers]]
+[[Category:American video game composers]]
 [[Category:Virgin Records artists]]
-[[Category:People from Dallas]]
+[[Category:Male actors from Dallas]]

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