Rand Miller makes worlds for a living.
It all began with an intense interest in both fact and fiction. Fact in the form of electronics, specifically computers and programming. Fiction in the form of fantastic places written, filmed, or otherwise imagined. Miller began early-on creating entertainment that combined the two interests. One of his first computer games "Swarms", designed and programmed in high school, earned him second place honors at the National Student Computer Faire in 1976.
After marrying Debbie and moving to Texas, Miller found work programming at a bank. It paid the bills and afforded him the opportunity to spend spare time working with his brother Robyn on a new kind of game for children. That game was "The Manhole" a new form of computer entertainment that was more than anything else, simply a place to explore. It received critical acclaim and in 1987 won the Software Publisher's Association Award for Best New Use of a Computer. "The Manhole" was the first of several children's worlds that included such titles as "Cosmic Osmo" and "Spelunx." The worlds continued to evolve, becoming more and more immersive, culminating with a massive undertaking - a world that would take what they had learned with their children's worlds and apply it to a world that would appeal to an older audience. "Myst" was born, and it quickly became a phenomenon, both critically and sales-wise. People responded to the idea of using a computer to journey to another world, and becoming part of it. It became the best selling computer game of the 20th century, and was followed up by "Riven: The Sequel to Myst" which added to the world and completed the story.
It was relatively simple for Miller to decide what would come next. The idea of making worlds even larger and more alive lead him to the internet. Serving a world on the internet meant that the exploration and wonder would never have to end, and the world could even be explored with others. "Uru: Online Ages Beyond Myst", Miller's current project, is just that. It's an enormous undertaking of technology and storytelling that is in many ways a continuing evolution of how things started - another world to explore.
Miller currently serves as CEO of Cyan Worlds. He lives in Spokane Washington with his wife Debbie and three daughters.
