Cyan, the Creator of Myst, Cuts Workforce by Half Amid Search for New Project Funding

Cyan, the creative force behind beloved VR titles like Myst, Riven, Firmament, and Obduction, recently made the tough call to let go of around half of their team, which means saying goodbye to about twelve talented individuals.

In a heartfelt statement, Cyan explained, “Today, we share some unfortunate news. Despite doing everything we could to prevent it, we had to make the hard decision to reduce our staff. This resulted in twelve of our gifted team members leaving at the end of March.”

The studio faced challenging market conditions, forcing them to juggle the long-term health of their workplace with the unpredictable nature of game development in 2025. They’ve been open about these challenges with their team over the past year, so while the layoffs weren’t unexpected, they’re still deeply upsetting for everyone involved.

Cyan has tried to ease the transition for those affected by offering severance packages and is reaching out to other developers who might be looking for top-notch talent.

Right now, Cyan’s main focus is securing funds for their next big project and getting the studio back on its feet. With a rich history of overcoming tough periods, they remain hopeful about continuing to create unique experiences that only they can offer. They also expressed deep gratitude for the continued love and support from their incredible community of players.

Interestingly, the statement about seeking financial backing didn’t explicitly refer to VR projects. However, Cyan stands out as one of the few studios skilled in developing games with hand-tracking technology.

It raises a big question: why aren’t tech giants like Apple, Meta, Google, Valve, and Sony investing in teams like Cyan to keep the VR magic alive?