Cyan Worlds Reveals Cancelled Myst Prototype 'Project Anglerfish' in Rare Public Send-Off
The studio shared a publisher-only teaser for a four-month prototype that would have been the franchise's first new entry in 20 years.
Cyan Worlds has revealed a cancelled Myst project, releasing a teaser trailer for 'Project Anglerfish' — a prototype the studio built over four months starting in 2024/2025 but will never ship.
Co-heads Hannah Gamiel (Development Director) and Eric A. Anderson (Creative Director) presented the footage with a blunt caveat: 'everything we're about to show you is not actively in development, and will not be released in its current form,' Gamiel said.
The trailer was originally intended for publishers only. Cyan's decision to share it publicly marks an unusual move for a cancelled prototype, though the studio framed it as a send-off for work they were proud of despite the project's termination.
A Rare Glimpse at Original Myst Content
Project Anglerfish would have marked the first brand-new Myst entry since Myst V: End of Ages launched in 2005 — roughly 20 years ago. Cyan has recently focused on remakes and remasters of existing titles, making the prototype's existence notable even in its cancelled state.
According to the footage and accompanying presentation, the game featured subterranean pathways and centered on a quest for a mysterious book commissioned by a benefactor. Classic Myst DNA, but built for a modern era.
The project was cancelled 'for a variety of reasons,' Gamiel and Anderson said, without elaborating further.
Cyan Still Building New Myst Experiences
Despite Anglerfish's cancellation, Cyan confirmed it is working on other new games and experiences in the Myst universe. The studio referenced a separate project codenamed 'Mudfish' as part of its ongoing development pipeline.
The reveal underscores the rarity of original content in the Myst franchise, which has leaned heavily on nostalgia-driven releases in recent years. By sharing the Anglerfish trailer, Cyan signaled continued commitment to expanding the IP beyond remasters — even if this particular vision won't reach players.
For fans who have waited two decades for a true sequel, the teaser offers both a tantalizing glimpse and a reminder of how fragile game development can be. The subterranean environments and book-hunting premise suggest a return to Myst's core puzzle-adventure roots, now lost to the same industry pressures that kill prototypes everywhere.
Cyan's transparency about the cancellation — and its willingness to show the work publicly — stands out in an industry that often buries cancelled projects without a trace. Anglerfish won't be played, but at least it won't be forgotten.