The Matrix Online Delayed

[Ruccus]

Originally slated as a January 2005 title, it has been announced that the upcomming MMORPG will be pushed back to a Spring 2005 release.

Here is the press release from The Matrix Online's website (http://thematrixonline.warnerbros.com/web/index.jsp):

The Matrix Online, a massively multi-player online game co-published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and SEGA of America, will now ship in Spring 2005. Previously slated for a January 2005 launch, the game will expand its beta program while the overall game experience is being enhanced.

"We are committed to quality games and making this the best possible experience for players," said Jason Hall, Senior Vice President of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "Since this is our first MMOG, we are taking measured steps to ensure it will be polished and are investing additional resources into our community oriented initiatives."

The Matrix Online is an MMOG where tens of thousands of players will jack into the Matrix world to take an active role in continuing the saga of The Matrix movie trilogy. Developed by Monolith Productions in conjunction with the Wachowski Brothers, creators of The Matrix trilogy, the game will be a re-creation of the virtual world of the Matrix, employing cutting-edge 3-D graphics, networking and server technology. Gameplay in The Matrix Online will be based on intricate and exciting "wire-fu" combat, an extensive mission structure, social interaction and a completely customizable skill and ability system.

[Krimzan]

Since this is our first MMOG, we are taking measured steps to ensure it will be polished


Translation: World of Warcraft came out, and we are so ****ed.

[Nenjin]

Not surprised, at all. Things have been up, down, sideways and backwards over there for the last 2 months. I believe this is the 3rd delay they've had, originally they were shooting for mid 2004. Then Nov. Then Jan.

It's a good thing IMO. I'd rather see a new company delay a bunch rather than turn out a even more haphazard project.

[Saoshen]

I wonder what effect that lawsuit on the wacho brothers will have/has had on this game...

[Nenjin]

It probably won't in any noticeable way for the gamers. MxO will release before that lawsuit is close to finalized. More than likely, the profit from MxO will go towards fulfilling their settlement agreement. I really, really doubt WB and the Wachowski are going to give up rights to Matrix. They will probably just pay the original author a massive royalty to continue using it. Part of those royalties will come from MxO sales and subs.

[Lisboa]

There's still time to change the game into a fun, workable BF 1942/Counterstrike kind of game. But they won't.

[Krimzan]

Yeah, cuz if it's one thing the world needs, it's another military FPS...

December 12, 2004 - Here are Gamespy´s top-25 games being played at this very moment:

1. Half Life - 34449 servers, 68508 players
2. Half Life 2 - 6075 servers, 23661 players
3. Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory - 2770 servers, 7214 players
4. Americas Army: Special Forces - 1473 servers, 6950 players
5. Call of Duty: United Offensive - 2050 servers, 6811 players
6. Battlefield 1942 - 2546 servers, 6759 players
7. Neverwinter Nights - 1507 servers, 6145 players
8. Call of Duty - 2956 servers, 6113 players
9. Unreal Tournament 2004 - 3249 servers, 5994 players
10. Medal of Honor Allied Assault - 2427 servers, 4460 players
11. Quake 3: Arena - 2403 servers, 4265 players
12. Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead - 1291 servers, 3763 players
13. Soldier of Fortune 2 - 1536 servers, 3205 players
14. Battlefield: Vietnam - 1425 servers, 3174 players
15. Halo: Combat Evolved - 675 servers, 2811 players
16. Unreal Tournament - 2500 servers, 2544 players
17. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy - 592 servers, 1077 players
18. Halo Demo - 217 servers, 915 players
19. Vietcong - 357 servers, 839 players
20. Quake II - 621 servers, 701 players
21. Starsiege TRIBES - 209 servers, 639 players
22. Tribes 2 - 141 servers, 633 players
23. Lord of the Rings: The Battle For Middle-Earth - 194 servers, 611 players
24. Unreal Tournament 2003 - 187 servers, 565 players
25. Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast - 259 servers, 511 players

[Lisboa]

But there are no matrix let alone close combat themed shooters. It'd be a guaranteed hit, where this misguided MMORPG idea is a guaranteed failure.

[Marbh]

I was in closed beta, and I deleted it from my hard drive. NDA prevents me from describing the craptastic reasons.

[Krimzan]

They are not going to change it into anything. It's not like the people developing the game have any say in it. They sunk $X million into an MMO because it was the trendy thing to do. There is this mentality that if you throw enough money at something and tell the devs to make it shiny, it will yield awesome. It just isn't true.

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
- E. F. Schumacher