>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

SCIFI MXO REVIEW
Source: <SciFi>

It is no secret that the Wachowski brothers first conceived their virtual-reality philosophy and kung-fu epic as a video game. And that the first Matrix video game, Enter the Matrix, was as much about expanding on the story of the first two movies as it was about driving and shooting puzzles. So it is completely in keeping with the Wachowskis that despite their having ended the movies with the third, they are now carrying on the story of the Matrix in video-game form with the launch of The Matrix Online.

MxO is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Players take the role of newly awakened "red pills"; to create their characters, the game walks players through an abbreviated version of Neo's recruitment and training in the first film. In voice-over, Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith) presents each player with the red pill/blue pill choice, and very shortly a character is "awakened." The player now literally has a role in the continuing history of the Matrix and its heroes. Basically, that means doing missions to build influence with one of the game's factions (Zion, Machines, Merovingian) to unlock cinematics of and interactions with the characters from the films. In addition, the game also has "live events" where the developers play characters within the Matrix and change the state of the world based on how the players perform in various "contests." The first such event had players collecting fragments of Neo's consciousness and included Morpheus appearing on the street along with a glimmering echo of Neo's body.

In keeping with the movies, the characters do "learn" skills; they have them directly uploaded into their memory. The result is that in MxO, and unlike other MMORPGs, characters can literally change their "class" on the fly. By clicking on any hardline, a player can access a menu to change the character's program loadout, transforming from (for example) a kung-fu master to a master hacker in the time it takes to move the icons around. The characters are literally blank slates whose versatility is limited only by the size of their memory and the skills they've purchased or crafted. Memory size increases with level.

Combat and character interaction in MxO are unlike any other MMORPG currently on the market because the client computers actually know where each other's characters are. In practice, this means that the characters act together instead of simply running parallel animations: They can both grapple and embrace. They can shake hands and block punches. And so on. Hand-to-hand fighting looks like an arcade fighting game except that it also includes bullet time. A particularly effective strike or move will result in the game slowing down to bullet time to show the results.

Read the rest <here>.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

THE MATRIX: PATH OF NEO
Source: <IGN.com>

While you're busy hacking your way through The Matrix Online, the next Matrix videogame is already in production.

Though Atari originally confirmed that it would be making multiple Matrix titles a few years ago, the company made its next follow-up official today with the announcement of The Matrix: Path of Neo. Developed once again by Shiny Entertainment, Path of Neo ship to retailers nationwide in time for Christmas and will benefit from the input of the Wachowski Brothers and Producer Joe Silver for the second game in a row.

Set in the universe made popular by the trilogy of films, the game will enable players to play as the central character Neo as he relives all his most important moments from the movies. The script will be written entirely by series creators, the Wachowskis, and the likenesses of Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Ann Moss, and Hugo Weaving will also be featured. As an added bonus, footage from all three theatrical releases and the popular spin-off The Animatrix will be included as well.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to be embarking on a new Matrix project," said Jim Caparro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atari. "The Wachowski Brothers have created a universe that is uniquely deep and rich, with virtually limitless creative possibilities, and the interactive space is the ideal world in which to explore them. With The Matrix: Path of Neo, the Wachowski Brothers will be giving their legions of fans the best of everything: the first chance to personally relive Neo's journey, and the chance to experience new adventures they cannot yet even imagine."

"I'm very happy to continue my collaboration with Larry and Andy on all things Matrix and beyond," said Joel Silver, producer of The Matrix film trilogy. "Enter The Matrix added another exciting chapter to the legend. I'm thrilled that we are further expanding and exploring the vast Matrix universe through The Matrix: Path of Neo."

No other details about the game were revealed, but additional information is expected to surface before the annual trade show E3 this coming May. But given the fact that the first game sold more than 6 million units worldwide, you can bet that the number of interested parties are rather high. The Matrix: Path of Neo will be released simultaneously for the PC, PS2, and Xbox this Holiday.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


© 2005 Code 808