View source for Myst III: Exile

{{short description|Third title in the Myst series of graphic adventure puzzle video games}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Myst III: Exile
| image = MystIIICover.png
| caption = The box art shows the main hub Age, J'nanin.
| alt = The cover art for Myst III: Exile
| developer = [[Presto Studios]]
| publisher = [[Ubi Soft]] (physical)<br/>[[Cyan Worlds]] (digital)
| director = Phil Saunders
| producer = Michel Kripalani, Greg Uhler
| designer = 
| programmer = Roland Gustafsson
| artist = 
| writer = [[Mary DeMarle]]
| composer = [[Jack Wall (composer)|Jack Wall]]
| series = ''[[Myst (series)|Myst]]''
| engine = 
| platforms = [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| released = '''Mac OS, Windows'''{{Video game release|NA|May 7, 2001|EU|September 7, 2001}}'''PlayStation 2, Xbox'''{{Video game release|NA|September 19, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2002-09-19 |title=Myst III Ships |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/19/myst-iii-ships |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>|EU|October 4, 2002}}
| genre = [[Graphic adventure game|Graphic adventure]],
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}

'''''Myst III: Exile''''' is the third title in the ''[[Myst (series)|Myst]]'' series of [[Graphic adventure game|graphic adventure]]. While the preceding games in the series, ''[[Myst]]'' and ''[[Riven]]'', were produced by [[Cyan Worlds]] and published by [[Broderbund]], ''Exile'' was developed by [[Presto Studios]] and published by [[Ubi Soft]]. The game was released on four [[compact disc]]s for both [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]] and [[Microsoft Windows]] on May 8, 2001; versions for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 2]] were released in late 2002. A single-disc DVD version was later released for Windows and Mac OS.

The player assumes the role of a friend of [[Characters of Myst#Atrus|Atrus]]. A member of the D'ni race, Atrus can create links to other worlds called Ages by writing descriptive books. In ''Exile'', Atrus has written an Age for the D'ni to live on while rebuilding their civilization. The book is stolen by a mysterious figure; the player pursues the thief in an attempt to reclaim Atrus' tablet.

The creators of the ''Myst'' franchise gave the task of creating the third ''Myst'' game to Presto Studios, known for its adventure game series [[The Journeyman Project (series)|''The Journeyman Project'']]. Presto sought to develop a diverse and logical approach to puzzles and Ages, and worked to make the villain sympathetically multifaceted. The developers hired [[Jack Wall (composer)|Jack Wall]] to develop a musical style different from earlier composer [[Robyn Miller]] but still recognizable as a ''Myst'' game. The project required millions of U.S. dollars and more than two years to complete.

''Exile'' was well-received by critics; ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' called it the best game in the ''Myst'' series. Despite selling more than one&nbsp;million copies within the first year of release, ''Exile'' performed worse commercially than ''Myst'' and ''Riven''. ''[[Myst IV: Revelation]]'', the fourth game in the series, was developed and published solely by Ubisoft.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:MystIII-mechage.png|thumb|left|alt=A gameplay screenshot of ''Myst III: Exile''|An example of gameplay in the Amateria Age of ''Myst III: Exile''. Items such as journals are accessible along the bottom edge of the screen.]]

Gameplay in ''Myst III: Exile'' is similar to that of its predecessors. The player explores immersive, [[pre-rendered]] environments known as "Ages" by using either [[mouse (computing)|mouse]] clicks or the [[space bar]] for movement from set nodes across each Age.<ref name="manual-4">{{cite book |title=Myst III: Exile – User's Manual |publisher=[[Ubisoft]] |author=Presto Studios |year=2001 |edition=PC/Mac |page=4 |series=Playing the Game}}</ref> Unlike previous games, which employed a series of still images, ''Exile'' uses a "free look" system which gives the player a 360-degree field of view at each node.<ref name="manual-4" /> The game also has an optional "zip" mode to rapidly cross explored terrain by skipping nodes.<ref name="manual-4" /> Clicking allows the player to manipulate objects and pick up items. The on-screen cursor changes to show contextual actions.<ref name="manual-5">{{cite book |title=Myst III: Exile – User's Manual |publisher=[[Ubisoft]] |author=Presto Studios |year=2001 |edition=PC/Mac |pages=5–6 |series=Manipulating Objects}}</ref>

Each of the game's Ages has a distinctive look and theme. Players begin their journey on the Age of J'nanin, which acts as a hub linking to other Ages<ref name="gamespot-preview3">{{cite web |author=Poole, Stephen |date=April 17, 2001 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/myst-iii-exile-preview/1100-2708918/ |title=Myst III: Exile Preview |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=May 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704210812/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/myst-iii-exile-preview/1100-2708918/ |archive-date=July 4, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> and as a "lesson Age" demonstrating important principles for later puzzles.<ref name="sfc-demystifying">{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/DEMYSTIFYING-MYST-An-ingenious-adventure-2921649.php |author=Yim, Roger |date=May 14, 2001 |title=Demystifying Myst: An ingenious adventure |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |page=C1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312170404/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/DEMYSTIFYING-MYST-An-ingenious-adventure-2921649.php |archive-date=March 12, 2016}}</ref> Three of these Ages are Amateria, a mechanical Age in the middle of a vast sea; Edanna, a world of preserved nature, with abundant plant and animal life; and Voltaic, a dusty island riddled with contraption-filled canyons.<ref name="gamespot-preview3" />

By gathering clues and manipulating the environment, the player solves thematically linked puzzles. For example, the book leading to Voltaic is accessed by aligning beams of light across a canyon; the Age itself contains similar energy-based puzzles.<ref name="telegraph-seductive" /> Edanna's plant-filled puzzles require manipulation of the Age's [[ecosystem]].<ref name="apple-preview2">{{cite web |author=Cook, Brad |date=April 1, 2001 |url=https://www.apple.com/games/articles/2001/04/myst3/index2.html |title=The Lost Ages: Myst 3 Revealed (page 2) |publisher=[[Apple, Inc]] |access-date=June 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320060824/http://www.apple.com/games/articles/2001/04/myst3/index2.html |archive-date=March 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Puzzles often involve observing interactions between elements of the environment, then adjusting the links between them.<ref name="macworld-game room" /> The player can also pick up and view journals or pages written by game characters which reveal [[back-story]] and give hints to solving puzzles.<ref name="gamespot-review" /> Cursor Mode allows the player to select items from a personal inventory at the bottom of the screen.<ref name="manual-5" />

== Plot ==
''Exile'' begins ten years after the events of ''Riven'',<ref name="ce-stunning sequel" /> when the player arrives at Tomahna, the home of [[Atrus]] and his wife Catherine. Atrus is a scientist and explorer who has mastered an ancient practice known as the Art: he can create links to different Ages by writing special books. This ability was developed by an ancient civilization known as the D'ni, whose society crumbled after the D'ni city was devastated by a plague. Atrus calls the player to his home to display his newest Age, Releeshahn, which Atrus has designed as a new home for the D'ni survivors.

As Atrus and the player prepare to leave for Releeshahn, a mysterious man appears in Atrus' study and sets it on fire, stealing the Releeshahn book. Following the thief via the book he left behind, the player arrives at J'nanin, an Age that Atrus had written long before as a way to teach the Art to his sons. Because the fire has caused considerable damage to the J'nanin book, Atrus cannot accompany the player.

The thief is named [[Characters of Myst#Saavedro|Saavedro]]. Twenty years earlier, Atrus' wayward sons [[Sirrus]] and [[Achenar]] destroyed Saavedro's home Age of Narayan and trapped him on J'nanin. Saavedro believes his family is dead and swears vengeance on Atrus, unaware that Atrus has imprisoned his sons for their crimes and that Saavedro's family is still alive. The game can end several ways depending on the player's actions. In the most ideal scenario, Saavedro returns to Narayan peacefully after giving back the book of Releeshahn. Other endings result in Saavedro destroying Releeshahn or killing the player; another option allows the player to leave Saavedro trapped forever.

== Development ==
[[File:Myst bluescreen.png|thumb|right|Maria Galante and Audrey Uhler on the bluescreen set (top), and with the footage composited with computer-generated elements|alt=Two images displaying the game's characters. The top image shows the actors in front of blue screens, while the bottom image shows the same actors in front of computer-generated scenes.]]
[[Cyan Worlds]] and [[Mattel Interactive]] (then the owner of the ''Myst'' and ''Riven'' franchise) sought bids from several development companies for the development of a sequel to ''Myst'' and ''Riven''; according to ''[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]]'', interested parties developed proposals including story concepts, analysis of the first two games, technology discussion, and technology demonstration.<ref name="game developer-presto studio">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tQVJEpgoiIwC&q=Presto+Studios%27+Myst+III%3A+Exile+game+developer&pg=PA127 |author=Uhler, Greg |date=October 2001 |title=Presto Studios' Myst III: Exile |magazine=[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]] |volume=8 |issue=10 |pages=40–47 |isbn=978-1-57820-214-0}}</ref> A core team from [[Presto Studios]] held discussions which analyzed ''Myst'' and ''Riven'', then set out specific goals for the third game. According to Presto founder and producer Greg Uhler, these goals included visual variety in the Ages, a satisfying ending, and a way for players to gauge their progress during the game.<ref name="game developer-presto studio" /> The progress goal was very important for Uhler, who stated: "Players who had failed to complete ''Myst'' or ''Riven'' did so because they were unsure of how much remained of the game and what their goals were."<ref name="game developer-presto studio" /> Initially, Presto prepared three possible storylines for the game to follow; a meeting between Cyan, Presto, and Mattel yielded a completely different plot, which explored some of the loose ends hinted at in ''Myst''.<ref name="gamespot-dd1" /> Mattel chose Presto for the task because of their talent, experience, and an existing business relationship.<ref name="gamespot-dd1">{{cite web|author=Staff|date=June 15, 2000|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/myst3_dd/061200/index.html|title=Myst III Designer Diaries: Mattel Interactive Designer Diary|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010208094312/http://www.gamespot.com/features/myst3_dd/061200/index.html|archive-date=February 8, 2001|url-status=dead|pages=1–2}}</ref>

Presto spent millions of [[United States dollar|U.S. dollars]] developing the game, using the studio's entire staff to complete the project. Development took two and a half years, of which nine months were spent on design and pre-production.<ref name="game developer-presto studio" /> Particular attention was devoted to strong visual styles and mechanics, which a critic described as "a collaboration of [[Jules Verne]], [[Rube Goldberg]] and [[Claes Oldenburg]]".<ref name="sfc-demystifying" /> By July 2000, the game's look and feel, story, and puzzles were all complete, and Presto was building the game worlds.<ref name="gamespot-dd2">{{cite web|author=Staff|date=July 13, 2000|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/myst3_dd/071300/index.html|title=Myst III Designer Diaries #2|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210225525/http://www.gamespot.com/features/myst3_dd/071300/index.html|archive-date=February 10, 2001|url-status=dead|pages=1–2}}</ref> Pre-rendered environments, like those in the earlier ''Myst'' games, were used, providing what producer Dan Irish described as the "photorealistic ability to present the world in a convincing way. The 360-degree camera view also allows you to experience it in a way that makes it feel real."<ref name="apple-preview1">{{cite web |author=Cook, Brad |date=April 1, 2001 |url=https://www.apple.com/games/articles/2001/04/myst3/ |title=The Lost Ages: Myst 3 Revealed (page 1) |publisher=[[Apple, Inc]] |access-date=June 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217035125/https://www.apple.com/games/articles/2001/04/myst3/index.html |archive-date=December 17, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Presto used [[Autodesk 3ds Max|3ds Max]], Areté's Digital Nature Tools, and additional software to generate the pre-rendered visuals as well as dynamic water, character animations, and lighting.<ref name="digimation-profile">{{cite journal|date=March 7, 2001|volume=3|issue=5|title=Company Profile: Presto Studios, Inc.|publisher=Digimation|journal=Digimation Newsletter|url=http://newsletters.digimation.com/Mar7-01/CompanyProfile.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030214222042/http://newsletters.digimation.com/Mar7-01/CompanyProfile.htm|archive-date=February 14, 2003}}</ref>

As in ''Myst'' and ''Riven'', the developers used live-action sequences instead of computer-generated actors and props; Irish stated that using computer graphics would have reminded players they were in a game, "which would wreck the immersion that is so critical to the ''Myst'' games".<ref name="gamespot-dd3">{{cite web|author=Staff|date=August 14, 2000|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/myst3_dd/081400/index.html|title=Myst III Designer Diaries #3|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210005129/http://www.gamespot.com/features/myst3_dd/081400/index.html|archive-date=February 10, 2001|url-status=dead|pages=1–2}}</ref> Live actors were filmed on a [[Chroma key|blue screen]] and then placed in the digital environments using [[chroma key]] technology.<ref name="gamespot-dd2" /> Before any shooting could begin, all the sets were constructed and filled with props the actors could use, costumes for all the characters were fashioned, and each scene was plotted out by [[storyboard]].<ref name="gamespot-dd2" /> [[Rand Miller]] returned to play Atrus, a role he had filled since the first ''Myst'' game. [[Brad Dourif]], a professional actor best known for the [[Child's Play (franchise)|''Child's Play'' films]], agreed to play Saavedro because he was a huge ''Myst'' fan.<ref name="gamespy-dourif interview">{{cite web |author=Semel, Paul |date=June 1, 2001 |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/june01/dourif/ |title=Myst-ery Man |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=June 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203232320/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/june01/dourif/ |archive-date=December 3, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Dourif noted that acting for a game was much more difficult than working on movie sets, as he could not see the player or interact with the game environment.<ref name="gamespy-dourif interview" /> Other actors included Maria Galante as Atrus' wife Catherine, and Greg Uhler's daughter Audrey in a cameo as Atrus' daughter [[Yeesha]].<ref name="game developer-presto studio" /> Preparation for the video shoots took four months; filming the scenes took just seven days.<ref name="tvg-feature">{{cite web |author=Leyton, Chris |date=October 12, 2000 |url=http://www.totalvideogames.com/Myst-III-Exile/feature-4924.html |title=TVG: Myst III Exile Feature |work=[[British Sky Broadcasting|Total Video Games]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210210740/http://www.totalvideogames.com/Myst-III-Exile/feature-4924.html |archive-date=February 10, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Uhler noted that the video was one aspect of ''Myst'' that Presto "did wrong"; because [[high-definition video]] cameras were not used, the resulting video was not as crisp as developers had hoped.<ref name="game developer-presto studio" />

After Mattel sold off their video gaming assets during their sale of [[The Learning Company]] to the [[Gores Technology Group]] in 2000,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-company-looking-for-a-name/1100-2651583/ |title=Game Company Looking for a Name |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=8 November 2000 |first=Trey |last=Walker}}</ref> Exile ended up in the hands of a new subsidiary of The Learning Company titled GAME Studios.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-studios-to-publish-myst-iii/1100-2673066/ |title=GAME Studios to Publish Myst III |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=28 February 2001|first=Giancarlo |last=Varanini}}</ref> After Gores sold GAME Studios and their assets to [[Ubi Soft]] in March 2001, the title alongside the Myst franchise as a whole was put in the hands of the company.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/game-studios-sale-confirmed |title=Game Studios Sale Confirmed |website=[[Gamasutra]] |date=5 March 2001 |first=Kris |last=Graft}}</ref>

=== Audio ===
The music for ''Myst'' and ''Riven'' was composed by Robyn Miller; [[Jack Wall (composer)|Jack Wall]] created the score for the third installment. Irish stated that developing the music was one of the hardest aspects of ''Exile'': "We had to match or exceed the surrealistic style of music that Robyn [Miller] had pioneered. It had to be recognizable as ''Myst'', but unique and distinctive."<ref name="la times-game design">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-may-17-tt-64538-story.html |author=Pham, Alex |date=May 17, 2001 |title=Game Design; Adding Texture, Detail to Miller Brothers' Legacy |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=T4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203123338/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/may/17/news/tt-64538 |archive-date=February 3, 2013}}</ref> Wall looked at the increasing complexity of games as an opportunity to give players a soundtrack with as much force as a movie score.<ref name="gamasutra-music for myst">{{cite web |author=Wall, Jack |date=January 11, 2002 |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20020110/wall_01.htm |title=Music for Myst III: Exile – The Evolution of a Videogame Soundtrack (page 1) |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=June 2, 2008 |author-link=Jack Wall (composer) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603142458/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20020110/wall_01.htm |archive-date=June 3, 2008}}</ref> Wall also echoed Irish's opinion that he wanted to make a very different score from the "wonderful sonic pastiche" of ''Myst'' and ''Riven'', yet still recognizable as a sequel to the earlier games; Wall considered copying Miller's style as the "safe" yet unappealing route that was expected of him.<ref name="gamasutra-music for myst" />

In preparation for his composition, Wall studied Miller's music, noting that he and Miller differed on their use of music theory. Miller, according to Wall, felt that "melody could easily get in the way of the experience of playing the game", but Wall felt that some melody provided something thematic for the player to grasp.<ref name="gamasutra-music for myst" /> Wall wanted the music to have a sense of purpose while still preserving interactivity, so he composed "reward music" for completing puzzles and recorded the score with a real orchestra.<ref name="gamasutra-music for myst" />
{{track listing
| headline = ''Myst III: Exile – The Soundtrack'' track list<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/myst-iii-exile-original-game/451650352 |title=Myst III – Exile (Original Game Soundtrack) |date=May 7, 2001 |publisher=[[Apple, Inc]] |access-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704210811/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/myst-iii-exile-original-game/id451650352 |archive-date=July 4, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| total_length = 59:02
| title1 = Main Theme
| length1 = 4:22
| title2 = Opening Titles
| length2 = 1:54
| title3 = Atrus' Study
| length3 = 2:46
| title4 = Saavedro Enters
| length4 = 0:45
| title5 = Saavedro's Theme
| length5 = 2:14
| title6 = A Heartbeat Away
| length6 = 1:47
| title7 = Saavedro's Lair
| length7 = 1:20
| title8 = Theme from Amateria
| length8 = 2:15
| title9 = The Spider Spinner
| length9 = 1:11
| title10 = Libra's Lever
| length10 = 1:13
| title11 = The Wheels of Wonder
| length11 = 1:29
| title12 = Theme from Edanna
| length12 = 3:24
| title13 = Deadwood Ridge
| length13 = 2:14
| title14 = Swing Vines
| length14 = 2:54
| title15 = The Forest and the Swamp
| length15 = 2:00
| title16 = Theme from Voltaic
| length16 = 3:10
| title17 = The Airship Chasm
| length17 = 3:14
| title18 = Energy Island
| length18 = 1:40
| title19 = The Confrontation
| length19 = 2:52
| title20 = He Sees Hope
| length20 = 2:07
| title21 = Let Me Go!
| length21 = 2:14
| title22 = You've Been Followed
| length22 = 0:29
| title23 = Into Oblivion
| length23 = 0:40
| title24 = All Is Lost
| length24 = 0:48
| title25 = Trapped
| length25 = 0:45
| title26 = The Tide Has Turned
| length26 = 1:30
| title27 = The Dilemma
| length27 = 2:02
| title28 = All Is Well, My Friend
| length28 = 1:06
| title29 = Going Home
| length29 = 1:10
| title30 = Exile (Bonus Track)
| length30 = 3:27
}}

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = PC: 77%<ref name="game rankings">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/914209-myst-iii-exile/index.html |title=Myst III: Exile for PC |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=December 11, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315101839/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/914209-myst-iii-exile/index.html |archive-date=March 15, 2009}}</ref><br />PS2: 62%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/914486-myst-iii-exile/index.html |title=Myst III: Exile for PlayStation 2 |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324223202/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/914486-myst-iii-exile/index.html |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />XBOX: 62%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/475754-myst-iii-exile/index.html |title=Myst III: Exile for Xbox |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325043129/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/475754-myst-iii-exile/index.html |archive-date=March 25, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC = PC: 83/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/myst-iii-exile/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Myst III: Exile for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=July 19, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820025348/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/myst-iii-exile |archive-date=August 20, 2010}}</ref><br />PS2: 57/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/myst-iii-exile/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Myst III: Exile for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214230430/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/myst-iii-exile |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />XBOX: 55/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/myst-iii-exile/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Myst III: Exile for Xbox Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206190248/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/myst-iii-exile |archive-date=February 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| CGW = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="cgw-review">{{cite magazine |last1=Ardai |first1=Charles |date=July 2001 |title=Myst Me? |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_204/page/n85 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |pages=82–83 |issue=204 |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref>
| GI = 7.5/10<ref name="gameinformer-review">{{cite magazine|date=July 2001 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/p/reviewarchive.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026025027/https://www.gameinformer.com/p/reviewarchive.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |title=Myst III: Exile |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref>
| GameRev = B−<ref name="game revolution-review" />
| GSpot = 8.7/10<ref name="gamespot-review" />
| GSpy = 79%<ref name="gspy-review">{{cite web |last1=Hansen |first1=Philip |title=Myst III: Exile |url=http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/june01/myst3/index.shtm |website=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010715011339/http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/june01/myst3/index.shtm |archive-date=July 15, 2001 |language=en |date=June 2001}}</ref>
| IGN = 8/10<ref name="ign-review" />
| NGen = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|last=Harker|first=Carla|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=4|issue=7|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=July 2001|page=89}}</ref>
| PCF = 67%<ref name="pcformat-review">{{cite web |title=Myst III |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/reviews/game_review_467.html |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011021060848/http://www.gamesradar.com/reviews/game_review_467.html |archive-date=October 21, 2001 |language=en |date=September 24, 2001}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 85%<ref name="pcgus-review">{{cite magazine |last1=Wolf |first1=Michael |date=July 2001 |title=Myst III: Exile |url=https://archive.org/stream/UneditedPCGamer_marktrade/PC_Gamer_086u#page/n63/mode/2up |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |pages=62–63 |volume=8 |issue=7 |publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] |issn=1080-4471 |access-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref>
| PCZone = 35/100<ref name="pczone-review">{{cite magazine |last1=Lyon |first1=James |date=December 2001 |title=Myst III: Exile |url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_Issue_109_2001-12_Dennis_Publishing_GB/page/n79 |magazine=[[PC Zone]] |page=80 |issue=109 |publisher=Dennis Publishing |access-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref>
}}

''Exile'' was generally received positively upon release; the PC version holds a 77% rating at [[GameRankings]] and an 83/100 rating at [[Metacritic]].<ref name="game rankings" /><ref name="metacritic" />

''Exile''{{'s}} graphics and sound received nearly universal praise, and were credited with completing the game's immersion.<ref name="ce-stunning sequel">{{cite web |author=Saltzman, Mark |date=June 13, 2001 |url=http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/061301_myst3.html |title=Myst III a Stunning sequel |work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |access-date=June 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316102539/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/061301_myst3.html |archive-date=March 16, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="game revolution-review">{{cite web |author=Staff |date=June 1, 2001 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/myst-3-exile |title=Reviews page: Myst III Exile |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=May 19, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426172428/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/myst-3-exile |archive-date=April 26, 2012}}</ref> The puzzles were described as less difficult and more contained, meaning that players did not have to experiment with switches and then click several screens away to see the effect, as in ''Riven''.<ref name="ce-stunning sequel" /><ref name="game revolution-review" /><ref name="ign-review" /> ''[[Macworld]]''{{'}}s Peter Cohen praised Presto for giving out bits of story throughout the game, rather than providing exposition only during opening and closing sequences.<ref name="macworld-game room">{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020417113810/http://www.macworld.com/2001/08/opinion/gameroom.html |url=http://www.macworld.com/2001/08/opinion/gameroom.html |last=Cohen |first=Peter |date=August 2001 |title=Mystified |magazine=[[Macworld]] |archive-date=April 17, 2002 |volume=18 |issue=8 |pages=43–45}}</ref> The pacing and rewards system was also appreciated by reviewers.<ref name="sfc-demystifying" /><ref name="newsweek-not to be missed">{{cite magazine |author=Staff |date=May 14, 2001 |title=A Myst not to be missed |magazine=[[Newsweek]] |volume=137 |issue=20 |page=12}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' concluded their review of the game by stating that Presto had done "a pretty good job with a notable addition to the series".<ref name="ign-review">{{cite web |author=Staff |date=May 7, 2001 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/07/myst-iii-exile-3 |title=Myst III: Exile Review |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=May 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103164946/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/07/myst-iii-exile-3 |archive-date=November 3, 2012}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' offered even stronger praise, saying that Presto had crafted the best ''Myst'' game in the series thus far,<ref name="telegraph-seductive">{{cite news |author=Boxer, Steve |date=July 12, 2001 |title=Seductive kind of Myst |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |page=6}}</ref> a sentiment that was echoed in other publications.<ref name="macworld-game room" /> The editors of ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'' named ''Exile'' the best adventure game of 2001, and called it "a breath of fresh air amidst the otherwise barren crop of adventure titles." They also presented the game with their "Best Art Direction" and "Best Acting" awards, the latter for Dourif's performance.<ref name="cgm11th">{{cite magazine |author=Staff |magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]] |title=11th Annual ''Computer Games'' Awards |date=March 2002 |issue=136 |pages=50–56}}</ref>

Criticism of the game included complaints about the four-disc format of the game, which required players to swap out the installer disc with one of the other discs every time the player entered a new Age.<ref name="game revolution-review" /> ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'s}} Scott Osborne noted that due to the frame-by-frame nature of gameplay, it was occasionally difficult to discern where players were allowed to venture and what areas were unreachable.<ref name="gamespot-review">{{cite web |author=Osborne, Scott |date=May 4, 2001 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/myst-iii-exile-review/1900-2715657/ |title=Myst 3: Exile Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=June 2, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125002734/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/myst-iii-exile-review/1900-2715657/ |archive-date=January 25, 2015}}</ref> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that bugs including a lack of sound, incompatibility with certain graphics cards and system crashes were present in as many as 10 percent of the first shipment of discs.<ref name="pham-buggies" /> Reviewers who had not enjoyed ''Myst'' or ''Riven'' stated that there was nothing new or substantially different in the game to warrant interest; ''[[The New York Times]]'' observed, "''Exile'' has everything you loved or hated about ''Myst'' and ''Riven''."<ref name="nyt-to play">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/15/technology/game-theory-to-play-emperor-or-god-or-grunt-in-a-tennis-skirt.html?pagewanted=all |author=Herold, Charles |date=November 15, 2001 |title=To Play Emperor or God, or Grunt in a Tennis Skirt |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=G11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305081624/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/15/technology/game-theory-to-play-emperor-or-god-or-grunt-in-a-tennis-skirt.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-access=limited}}</ref>

During the [[5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Myst III'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story Development]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition|Outstanding Achievement in Original Musical Composition]]" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|PC Action/Adventure Game of the Year]]";<ref name="aias2001-2">{{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602183409/http://www.interactive.org/newsandevents.asp?show=138&thetype=1 |url=http://www.interactive.org:80/newsandevents.asp?show=138&thetype=1 |title=Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Announces Finalists for the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards |date=February 5, 2002 |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |archive-date=June 2, 2002 |url-status=dead |location=[[Los Angeles]]}}</ref> these awards ultimately went to ''[[Ico]]'', ''[[Tropico (video game)|Tropico]]'' and ''[[Return to Castle Wolfenstein]]'', respectively.<ref name="aias2001">{{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020306070041/http://www.interactive.org/newsandevents.asp |url=http://www.interactive.org:80/newsandevents.asp |title=Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Announces Recipients of Fifth Annual Interactive Achievement Awards |date=March 1, 2002 |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |archive-date=March 6, 2002 |url-status=dead |location=[[Las Vegas]]}}</ref> In 2011, ''[[Adventure Gamers]]'' named ''Myst III'' the 59th-best adventure game ever released.<ref name="top100">{{cite web |author=AG Staff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604021011/http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/18643 |url=http://www.adventuregamers.com:80/articles/view/18643 |title=Top 100 All-Time Adventure Games |date=December 30, 2011 |archive-date=June 4, 2012 |work=[[Adventure Gamers]] |url-status=live |access-date=June 9, 2018 }}</ref>

===Sales===
''Exile'' was highly anticipated; preorders topped 500,000 units by March 2001.<ref name="digimation-profile"/> The game was the best-selling computer title in the United States within a week of release,<ref name="pham-buggies">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-may-25-fi-2267-story.html |author=Pham, Alex |date=May 25, 2001 |title='Myst III' Loses Its Magic Amid Glitches |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=C3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204053751/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/may/25/business/fi-2267 |archive-date=December 4, 2015}}</ref> with an average retail price of $42. Its ''Collector's Edition'' claimed fifth place.<ref name="may6">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011023073340/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2764668,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2764668,00.html |title=''Sims'' games get lost in the ''Myst'' |author=Walker, Trey |date=May 23, 2001 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=October 23, 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The two [[Stock keeping unit|SKUs]] held #1 and #9 the following week,<ref name="may13">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010609191207/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2766868,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2766868,00.html |title=''Myst III'' holds the lead |author=Walker, Trey |date=May 30, 2001 |archive-date=June 9, 2001 |work=[[GameSpot]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> by which time Ubisoft reported overall sales of 75,000 units.<ref>{{cite web |author=Walker, Trey |date=June 1, 2001 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/myst-iii-off-to-a-strong-start/1100-2767688/ |title=Myst III off to a strong start |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=June 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704210811/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/myst-iii-off-to-a-strong-start/1100-2767688/ |archive-date=July 4, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> After staying in first place for three weeks,<ref name="may26">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010622005231/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2770427,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2770427,00.html |title=''Myst III'' hangs tight as ''Sims'' games slip |author=Walker, Trey |date=June 6, 2001 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=June 22, 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Exile'' dropped to third during the week ending June 2.<ref name="june2">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010707104620/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2774877,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2774877,00.html |title=''The Sims'' makes a comeback |author=Walker, Trey |archive-date=July 7, 2001 |date=June 13, 2001 |work=[[GameSpot]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was the fourth-best-selling computer game of May in the region; [[PC Data]] reported sales of 54,468 retail units for the month. The ''Collector's Edition'' secured 12th place and sold 20,104.<ref name="may2001">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010710035412/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2778721,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2778721,00.html |title=''World War II Online'' debuts at number three |author=Walker, Trey |date=June 20, 2001 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=July 10, 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="maytotal">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030418031216/http://www.justadventure.com/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/01-06/June_01.shtm |url=http://www.justadventure.com:80/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/01-06/June_01.shtm |title=The State of Adventure Gaming |date=June 2001 |archive-date=April 18, 2003 |author=Sluganski, Randy |work=[[Just Adventure]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Exile'' remained on [[NPD Intelect]]'s weekly computer game sales top 10 from June 3–23,<ref name="may2001" /><ref name="june16">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010703110700/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2780694,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2780694,00.html |title=''Train Simulator'' chugs to number two |date=June 27, 2001 |author=Walker, Trey |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=July 3, 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="june23">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010707024522/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2782618,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2782618,00.html |title=''The Sims'' dethroned |date=July 3, 2001 |author=Varanini, Giancarlo |archive-date=July 7, 2001 |work=[[GameSpot]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> and maintained fourth place for the month of June; PC Data tracked domestic retail sales of 49,287 units during the period.<ref name="june2001">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020203222117/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2791070,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2791070,00.html |title=''Diablo'' holds on |work=[[GameSpot]] |author=Varanini, Giancarlo |date=July 18, 2001 |archive-date=February 3, 2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="randyjune2001">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020215014752/http://justadventure.com/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/01-08/August_01.shtm |url=http://justadventure.com:80/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/01-08/August_01.shtm |title=The State of Adventure Gaming |date=August 2001 |author=Sluganski, Randy |archive-date=February 15, 2002 |work=[[Just Adventure]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to Ubisoft, ''Exile'' sold over 400,000 units worldwide by June 30.<ref name="sales3">{{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921040558/https://www.ubisoft.com/en-US/company/press/detail.aspx?id=32197 |url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-US/company/press/detail.aspx?id=32197 |url-status=live |title=Very Strong First-Quarter Growth: Consolidated Sales Up 162% |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |publisher=[[Ubisoft]] |date=August 2, 2001}}</ref>

''Exile'' remained in NPD Intelect's monthly top 20 from July through August,<ref name="july2001">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011022032925/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2809110,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2809110,00.html |title=''Diablo'' takes July |date=August 29, 2001 |author=Walker, Trey |archive-date=October 22, 2001 |work=[[GameSpot]] |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="august2001">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020210224840/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2814102,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2814102,00.html |title=''Diablo II'' rules August |work=[[GameSpot]] |date=September 21, 2001 |archive-date=February 10, 2002 |author=Walker, Trey |url-status=dead }}</ref> and sold 173,569 domestic retail units by October, while its ''Collector's Edition'' sold 40,051.<ref name="oct2001">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020103210905/http://www.justadventure.com/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/Dec-01/sales.shtm |url=http://www.justadventure.com:80/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/Dec-01/sales.shtm |title=State of Adventure Gaming – December 2001 – Oct. Sales Table |date=December 2001 |author=Sluganski, Randy |work=[[Just Adventure]] |archive-date=January 3, 2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following ''Exile''{{'}}s European release on September 7, it reached second place on the British sales charts, and #1 on those of Germany and France. Ubisoft reported global sales of over 750,000 units by the end of September,<ref name="sales4">{{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921043030/https://www.ubisoft.com/en-US/company/press/detail.aspx?id=32195 |url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-US/company/press/detail.aspx?id=32195 |url-status=live |title=First Half of the 2001/2002 Fiscal Year; Considerable Increase in Sales: +72% |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |publisher=[[Ubisoft]] |date=October 30, 2001}}</ref> and of nearly 1.2 million units by the end of December.<ref name="sales2">{{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921031636/https://www.ubisoft.com/en-US/company/press/detail.aspx?id=32199 |url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-US/company/press/detail.aspx?id=32199 |url-status=live |title=Ubi Soft Outperforms the Market in the Third Quarter; Sales: 165.1 Million Euros, Up 45%; On a Like for Like Basis Up 34% |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |publisher=[[Ubisoft]] |date=January 31, 2002}}</ref> Its domestic retail sales for 2001 totaled 284,555 units, for $11.7 million in revenue.<ref name=2001nyu>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619191112/https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | url=https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | title=Markle Forum on Children and Media | author=Bradshaw, Lucy | author-link=Lucy Bradshaw (game developer) | date=January 31, 2002 | publisher=[[New York University]] | archive-date=June 19, 2004 | url-status=live }}</ref> Domestic sales continued in 2002, with 80,810 retail units sold from January to June;<ref name="janjun2002">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050314010007/http://justadventure.com/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/August2002/SalesJune2002.shtm |url=http://justadventure.com:80/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/August2002/SalesJune2002.shtm |title=State of Adventure Gaming – August 2002 – June 2002 Sales Table |date=August 2002 |author=Sluganski, Randy |archive-date=March 14, 2005 |work=[[Just Adventure]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in 2003, with 43,735 sales for the year.<ref name="2003sales">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040411223950/http://www.justadventure.com/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/March2004/Dec03ret_gam.shtm |url=http://www.justadventure.com:80/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/March2004/Dec03ret_gam.shtm |title=Sales December 2003 – The State of Adventure Gaming |date=March 2004 |author=Sluganski, Randy |archive-date=April 11, 2004 |work=[[Just Adventure]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> By August 2006, ''Exile''{{'}}s computer version had sold 400,000 copies and earned $14 million in the United States alone. ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' ranked it as the country's 37th-best-selling computer game released between January 2000 and August 2006. As of the latter date, it was also the country's highest-selling ''Myst'' game released during the 2000s.<ref name="edgesales">{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165955/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/ |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/ |title=The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century |author=''Edge'' Staff |date=August 25, 2006 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By 2010, ''Exile''{{'}}s total sales had reached 1.5 million copies.<ref name="venturebeatsales">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130191038/https://venturebeat.com/2010/06/30/oceanhouse-media-shows-how-to-bootstrap-a-sustainable-business-on-the-iphone-and-ipad/ |url=https://venturebeat.com/2010/06/30/oceanhouse-media-shows-how-to-bootstrap-a-sustainable-business-on-the-iphone-and-ipad/ |title=Oceanhouse Media bootstraps a sustainable business on the iPhone and iPad |author=Takahashi, Dean |date=June 30, 2010 |work=[[VentureBeat]] |archive-date=November 30, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Despite strong sales, ''Exile'' was considered commercially disappointing compared to the phenomenal sales of the first two games, which had sold nearly 10&nbsp;million units by the time of ''Exile''{{'}}s release.<ref name="telegraph-seductive" /> ''GameSpot'' editor [[Greg Kasavin]] told ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine that "''Myst'' is no longer as relevant to gamers as it used to be" and that "it represents an antiquated style of gaming" compared to the 3-D action games being released at the time.<ref name="time-legacy">{{cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,994827,00.html |author=Hamilton, Anita |date=September 4, 2004 |title=Secrets of the New Myst |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |volume=164 |issue=6 |page=84 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721182454/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C994827%2C00.html |archive-date=July 21, 2016}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Soon after ''Exile''{{'}}s release, Presto announced it was discontinuing software development; the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] title ''[[Whacked!]]'' was to be the last title produced by the company.<ref name="game over">{{cite news |author=Peterson, Kim |date=August 31, 2002 |title=Local video game-maker Presto closes despite being debt- free and rich in talent |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]}}</ref><!-- https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B03E4D91038F93AA35754C0A9679C8B63&scp=2&sq=myst&st=nyt --> Presto employee Michael Saladino pointed to the maverick style of the studio and its inability to develop more than one title at a time as reasons for its folding.<ref name="developer-gone">{{cite magazine |last=Saladino |first=Michael |date=December 2002 |title=And presto... it's gone! |magazine=[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]] |volume=9 |issue=12 |pages=44–49 |url=https://archive.org/details/GDM_December_2002/page/n25/mode/1up}}</ref> The next game in the ''Myst'' series, entitled ''[[Myst IV: Revelation|Revelation]]'', would be produced and published by [[Ubisoft]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Castro, Juan |date=April 5, 2004 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/05/myst-iv-announced |title=Myst IV Announced |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=June 12, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026090707/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/05/myst-iv-announced |archive-date=October 26, 2012}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Award !! Category !! Result !! Ref
|- 
| rowspan="3" | [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]]
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|PC Action/Adventure Game of the Year]]
| {{Nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="myst3-accolades">{{cite web|url=http://myst3.com:80/html/awards.html|title=Myst 3 Awards and Accolades|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030610025233/http://myst3.com/html/awards.html|publisher=Myst III: Exile official website. Ubisoft|archive-date=June 10, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=April 7, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story Development]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition|Outstanding Achievement in Original Musical Composition]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[GameSpot]]
| Best Adventure Game (2001)
| {{Won}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="myst3-accolades"/>
|-
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]''
| Best Adventure Game of the Year<br />Best Art Direction 
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="myst3-accolades"/>
|-
| Best Acting (Brad Dourif)
| {{won}}
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080219063204/http://www.ubi.com/US/Games/Info.aspx?pId=116 ''Myst III: Exile''] at [[Ubisoft]]
* {{MobyGames|id=/myst-iii-exile}}
* {{Metacritic game}}
* {{IMDb title}}

{{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Myst III Exile.ogg|date=2009-12-10}}

{{Clear}}
{{Presto Studios}}
{{Myst franchise}}
{{Authority control}}

{{featured article}}

[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:First-person adventure games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Myst games| Myst III]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:Presto Studios games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Ubisoft games]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Jack Wall]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]
[[Category:ScummVM-supported games]]
[[Category:Video games with pre-rendered 3D graphics]]