The Matrix online

GiMpY-wAnNaBe · 10-11-2003, 01:10 PM

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May 13, 2003 - Last E3 we learned that Monolith and EON (the company owned by the acclaimed Wachowski brothers) were busy developing a videogame rendition of the Matrix fiction in addition to what Shiny was doing with its own Enter the Matrix. That videogame, then tentatively dubbed The Matrix Online has grown to become...The Matrix Online. You guessed it, this E3 we're once again talking about a massively multiplayer title in the Matrix universe, only now it's coming from Ubi Soft (co-published by Warner Bros. Studios) sometime in the second half of 2004 following a late 2003 beta test. Basically, Ubi will distribute the Monolith developed MMO and manage the entire thing once it goes live, while Warner Bros. Studios will be responsible for overseeing story and content development.
Like the movies, The Matrix Online takes place in the zoo created by the machines to house unwitting humans for energy. Portrayed as a sprawling urban metropolis, the environment of Matrix Online will house thousands of players simultaneously. While the daft populous goes about its business, gamers will be waging the secret war (stabbing Agent Smith with a big stick or a car or something). It's

man versus machine all over again.

Based on what little we know of the game, Matrix Online is going to be the next step in the Matrix fiction and is supposed to pick up right where the trilogy leaves off, which itself may be a spoiler (whoops, it appears the Matrix is still around after Revolutions, oh well). I wouldn't get too angry about having the films ruined for you. The story of this one is penned by the same folks responsible for the flicks, so if they're cool with saying what it's all about, we're cool with saying what it's all about. With that and the very nature of the game in mind, it's unlikely we'll see the kinds of presentation and production values we're seeing placed into Enter the Matrix. So, I wouldn't suddenly expect to see hours upon hours of actual new footage added to the game. But what we will see is a lot of action and a lot of classic Matrix suave in persistent world form.

Already, Matrix Online is boasting some impressive features. True to the films, the game revolves around intense action in an open urban setting that "stretches on for miles." This is all there to get the point of "this game is cool" across to players. To do this, expect the title to employ dozens of weapons and martial arts maneuvers that are all built off of the same Matrix-esque action seen in the films. How special effects popularized by the movie and new ones to be popularized by its sequels will be faithfully delivered in a real-time environment with limitless players remains to be seen, as does the exact nature of the combat system, but the basics all seem to be there.

Of course, what's an MMO game without character development and some lasting draw to continue playing? Improve your own character much? This is where Matrix Online gets clever. So you can build your own bad ass all wrapped up in ass cradling, tight, sexy leather. Yeah, yeah, yeah... But, you can also earn and obtain hundreds of different powers (there is no spoon). And, once you have these powers, you can trade them with other people just as if they were baseball cards! Whoa.

What's the point of all of this? To kick ass in a nearly infinite amount of generated "missions" that promise real, dramatic storyline "revelations." Here comes the first bit of skepticism. I've seen a load of behind the scenes Matrix documentaries, and according to every person interviewed, the trilogy tells the whole story. When asked about the potential of a fourth film, Keanu himself admitted, "The trilogy is it. I think we've told the story." How it's going to extend beyond this for pretty much ever and still remain intriguing and interesting is another unknown. If anyone can do it, Monolith and the Wachowski's own EON Entertainment sure can. Joel Silver, producer of the Matrix films, sure thinks the story and the game will be fine:
"The Wachowski Brothers' vision for The Matrix is one that extends far beyond the theatrical trilogy, and the world they have created is so rich that we've chosen to tell inter-connected Matrix-related stories in multiple mediums. Our goal in collaborating with Ubi Soft is to create a multiplayer online game that reflects the trilogy's highly stylized storytelling and innovative action, taking fans beyond the boundaries of the movie screen and into a 'persistent world' where they can fully explore the vast realm of the Matrix."
Yves Guillemot, President of Ubi Soft Entertainment, also chimes in with:

"Imagine if the Matrix existed today, if millions of people could enter a simulation so convincing, so real, that they believed it to be an actual place. Ubi Soft and Warner Bros. Studios will bring the Matrix universe to life -- enabling gamers throughout the world to participate in the continuously evolving world of The Matrix Online."
There's no doubt that the prospect is great. But then that's the same thing we all thought about Enter the Matrix, which really hasn't turned out as expected. Here's the problem: The Matrix is all about style, visual splendor, and extremely fast, extremely fluid action whether it be with guns, swords, or fists. Translating all of this into a singleplayer action title is difficult enough, but doing it and doing it right for an MMO is going to be an insanely difficult task. Monolith has talent, for sure. The creators of NOLF, Shogo, Aliens vs. Predator 2 and TRON 2.0 are no slouches when it comes to delivering quality games. Keep in mind that all of those titles are first-person shooters heavy on ranged combat. The Matrix demands third-person action heavy on melee combat. Normally we'd still believe Monolith was more than up to the task; however, is massively multiplayer technology really at a state to deliver the seamless, fluid action experience with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of players that gamers are going to want, demand and expect of a title branded with the mighty Matrix name? Classic MMO "just shut up and hit the A key" to fight mentality won't cut it, nor will lag and stuttering issues. At this point it's impossible to tell whether the technology and design are there to deliver what you have in mind.

One thing is certain, add this to Shadowbane and Uru and Ubi's growing focus on an online gaming world should become pretty apparent. MMO Matrix seems like an instant money machine -- of yeah. So did Sims Online -- oh no. How it will turn out in the end is anybody's guess, but with a franchise this big and a developer this talented, it's impossible not to be optimistic.

We'll be sure to come back later on in the show to deliver more details on The Matrix Online. Of course, after that we'll be back with all the tender loving care only the lady in red can provide until this baby launches in 2004.

-- IGN

AAAAAND the trailer

here -->Matrix Trailer

everything gotten from Matrix Online

Dyne · 10-11-2003, 01:20 PM

Better be better than Enter the Matrix. >:O

Yeah, I'm glad this game hasn't disappeared off the horizon.

Happydude · 10-11-2003, 01:52 PM

hmm...graphic-wise...it sux...the HUD really needs to be improved, and so do the ingame textures..i mean, you could see all the pixels...

and i'm wondering how they'll manage to make bullet time...guess we'll have to wait and see

Jonbo298 · 10-12-2003, 02:29 AM

I wonder if this game will actually sell considering the other Matrix game's "wonderful reception"(not in sales, but after the sales

)

GiMpY-wAnNaBe · 10-12-2003, 12:59 PM

Apparantly supposeed to be able to go into any building you see, and thats pretty impressive, with no load times in between

thatmariolover · 10-23-2003, 06:27 PM

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Originally Posted by GiMpY-wAnNaBe

Apparantly supposeed to be able to go into any building you see, and thats pretty impressive, with no load times in between

Blah. Friggen Deus Ex RIP OFF. I suggest all of you play the game these guys are ripping off.

Deus Ex is already out and Deus Ex 2 will be out on the 3'rd of December.

Happydude · 10-23-2003, 06:48 PM

Deus ex is an amazing game if you save often

can't wait for DE2...

Ace195 · 10-23-2003, 06:53 PM

I seriously doubt that you will be able to go into any building with no load time. They must be running the MATRIX Server style then

ooh I made a funny [b]

GiMpY-wAnNaBe · 10-23-2003, 08:38 PM

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Originally Posted by thatmariolover

Blah. Friggen Deus Ex RIP OFF. I suggest all of you play the game these guys are ripping off.

Deus Ex is already out and Deus Ex 2 will be out on the 3'rd of December.

yes, its exactly like, dues ex....except...umm...its a completely different game, with different elements, oh and did i mention the fact that it was an mmorpg??? i mean, what is even remotely similar other than the fact that its 3d, thats a its third person, and that.....thats all!!!

Happydude · 10-23-2003, 08:49 PM

i know i know!!! its a game!!!!

Xantar · 10-23-2003, 09:55 PM

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hmm...graphic-wise...it sux...the HUD really needs to be improved, and so do the ingame textures..i mean, you could see all the pixels...

It's an MMORPG. You weren't seriously expecting great graphics out of the game, were you? And remember, the action in this game is going to be fast, not like EverQuest. Slowdown isn't going to be acceptable (whether it's inevitable is another question).

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I wonder if this game will actually sell considering the other Matrix game's "wonderful reception"(not in sales, but after the sales)

Hardcore gamers may have come down rather hard on the game, but I'm betting your average gamer thought Enter the Matrix rocked harder than Max Payne. No seriously. Casual gamers are that stupid.

GiMpY-wAnNaBe · 10-23-2003, 10:02 PM

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Originally Posted by Xantar

It's an MMORPG. You weren't seriously expecting great graphics out of the game, were you? And remember, the action in this game is going to be fast, not like EverQuest. Slowdown isn't going to be acceptable (whether it's inevitable is another question).

Hardcore gamers may have come down rather hard on the game, but I'm betting your average gamer thought Enter the Matrix rocked harder than Max Payne. No seriously. Casual gamers are that stupid.

i'm a bit more than a casual gamer, i firmly believe that enter the matrix was better than max payne in every concievable way

Happydude · 10-23-2003, 10:59 PM

i think it was better too...

thatmariolover · 10-24-2003, 11:40 AM

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Originally Posted by GiMpY-wAnNaBe

yes, its exactly like, dues ex....except...umm...its a completely different game, with different elements, oh and did i mention the fact that it was an mmorpg??? i mean, what is even remotely similar other than the fact that its 3d, thats a its third person, and that.....thats all!!!

Yeah. Did you play Deus Ex? Who's the mech with the kill phrase "Leputan Machine?" Deus Ex isn't in 3'rd person. Different camera.

Look, maybe "rip-off" was too strong. But they're definately taking a lot of the aspects of Deus Ex to heart.

Look at the screenshots.

You activate speed, ballistic protection, etc. from the side of the screen there on either game. The concept of doing anything anytime was a huge selling point for Deus Ex. But as I said before, I was too harsh. Being an MMORPG will make things different.

On another note:
I guess.. I enjoyed Max Payne better than Enter the Matrix myself. But that's just me.

Ace195 · 10-24-2003, 01:01 PM

Dude Dues Ex was a great game