Hey guys. I recently acquired the following item after randomly browsing ebay...
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Yup, that's an Uru press kit. Not sure on what occasions are those made and handed around, but since it's a nice looking box and must contain some juicy content, I figured I might snatch it - it wasn't particularly expensive and it's a rare item after all.
And yup, inside there is a CD with a bit of interesting stuff on it. Nothing
groundbreaking, but there are some things I've never seen available elsewhere, not even on Chiso. Here is a list, with interesting items in bold:
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- The URU making of (8 minutes) in various languages. Nothing here new, it's already on Youtube. I noticed some interesting shots, though: one of them shows the original version of the Kadish Tolesa vista with less fog and an orange glow, and another is a closeup to some notes on Rand's computer detailing how the users were originally able to "save links" manually (instead of those being saved automatically).
- Screenshots from early days Uru. Those are mostly the same except from some very small texture differences, like:
- a version of Relto with slightly different, bushier tree textures
- Kemo Garden's trees (and various other elements) originally cast shadows - doubtlessly very laggy knowing Uru's shadows.
- a version of Gahreesen's exterior with a slightly different bridge and intermediary pillar
- Various pictures of Cyan HQ and people, and a few logos.
- HD version of various concept arts, including some that aren't on Chiso ! They don't tell much more than what we knew, but it sure is nice to have those higher-res versions. Also, one of those is a very high-res alternative version of Teledahn's map (actually the ingame version, but in HQ), featuring more areas than the one we already have on Chiso. Also, sea monsters. This would be a good candidate for printing...
- Some PSDs used in cover arts, etc. Some are obviously just crappy upscaled JPEGs from various Ages, but some are pretty interesting:
- the Ages Beyond Myst cover art (a stylized version of Relto), in pretty good quality. It's 1820x2100, but some parts aren't as crisp as they could be since it seems they were upscaled at some point (or made from ingame screenshots). Still higher res than most of what you can find online, and without the title/logos.
- the same shot, but reworked in an orangish/twilight glow, with different trees and stuff, at resolution 1560x2259. This is a "working version", meaning it includes a LOT of layers. Never previously released, AFAIK. (Also includes a version of the "uru" logo where the first two letters are merged together)
- A 4 minutes long medley of Uru's music.
- The original Uru trailer in crappy quality (the one where you can see the Baron City Office mirror)
And
here it is, for your enjoyment. I left out the making of, trailer and ingame screenshots, since those take space and didn't include anything important IMHO. Enjoy !
Also, do you think it's ok to post those on the MOULa forums and Reddit too ? Given how long these things have been around, I see no harm in making the whole set available online...