The Matrix Online

Become a part of Matrix history as you play through and experience events directed by the renowned Wachowskis. Master the innovative combat system to defeat your enemies, while using devastating martial arts maneuvers and gunplay in a fully realized Mega City.

Released: 22 March 2005
Platforms: Windows
Genres: MMORPG Role-playing
Developers: Monolith Productions
Publishers: —
Series: The Matrix
Modes: Multiplayer
Themes: Science fiction
Country: United States
Age ratings: PEGI 12 ESRB T USK 12
Languages: English
Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski

About

The Matrix Online (abbreviated as MxO) is a discontinued massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) initially developed by Monolith Productions and later, a few months after launch, by Sony Online Entertainment. It was advertised as a continuation of the storyline of The Matrix films, as The Wachowskis, the franchise's creators, gave their blessing to the notion of gamers "inherit[ing] the storyline". The game began closed beta-testing in June 2004 which was then opened for people who pre-ordered the game in November 2004. Warner Bros.

and Sega released MxO on March 22, 2005, in the United States. It was released in Europe on April 15, 2005. In June, Warner Bros. sold the rights to the game to Sony Online Entertainment, and the game's development and operation was transferred to the latter on August 15, 2005.

Keywords

martial arts
simulated reality
cyberpunk
grinding
dating
dystopian
summoning support
death
based on - movie
bullet time
apocalypse
online

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

In The Matrix Online, the player assumes the role of a redpill, a human who was formerly trapped inside the Matrix and has since been freed and shown the truth of humanity's imprisonment. When creating a new character, the player is given the choice of taking a blue pill that will return them to their former life (quit the game) or a red pill, which will free their mind from the Matrix and allow them to take the body of a physical human and experience reality. Characters who are unaware of the fact that they are in the simulation are often referred to as "bluepills" because they have either taken the blue pill or have not been given the choice yet. People who are aware of the simulation (players) are referred to as "redpills" because they have taken the red pill (or, in very rare cases, when a character has self-substantiated out of the Matrix on their own).

Following the choice between the two pills, the player is then taken through a basic tutorial of the game's mechanics, including mission interaction and the combat system. After the tutorial, they are then free to roam the Mega City (the large metropolis that the entire Matrix story is set in).

Development

The game had a budget of $20 million. The game started its project in 2002 when Monolith Productions partnered with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, then a licensing firm and a unit of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, to conceive the game. During production on the game, Monolith Productions was acquired by WBIE.