Massively Multi-player Online Game Goes Live - Putting The Future of The Matrix in Gamers’ Hands

Burbank, Calif. – March 22, 2005 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and SEGA are pleased to announce that today, hundreds of thousands of players can now jack into The Matrix Online, a massively multi-player online game (MMOG), to participate in the continuing saga of the The Matrix franchise. Developed by Monolith Productions, directed by the Wachowski Brothers and co-published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and SEGA, The Matrix Online is launching for the PC today in North America and April 8, 2005 in Europe.

The Matrix Online’s story continues after the third film, The Matrix Revolutions, ended with Zion and the Machines in an uneasy truce. Capturing the authenticity of the films, Laurence Fishburne (Morpheus), Monica Bellucci (Persephone), Mary Alice (The Oracle), Lambert Wilson (The Merovingian), Harold Perrineau, Jr. (Link), Harry Lennix (Lock), Nona Gaye (Zee), Collin Chou (Seraph) and Tanveer Atwal (Sati) have provided voice-over and character likenesses to the game. Don Davis, the film composer for The Matrix trilogy, is also providing the score for The Matrix Online.

“The Matrix Online takes massively multi-player online games to a new level by giving players the chance to directly participate and make history within the Matrix’s continuing, intriguing story,” said Jason Hall, Senior Vice President for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “In The Matrix Online, gamers can create their ideal character for combat and socialization within an incredibly expansive urban environment and then interact with actual characters from the Matrix films.”

“The Matrix Online is a fast-paced, action-driven MMOG that combines the excitement of wire-fu combat and bullet time with an engaging, persistent world directed by the creators of the world-famous franchise,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO of SEGA of America, Inc. “SEGA expects The Matrix Online to satisfy hardcore gamers while remaining extremely accessible to newcomers and fans of the Matrix universe.”

In an unprecedented move, a specialized role-playing live events team at Monolith will assume the roles of the actual Matrix characters and support the continuation of the game’s storyline through choreographed interaction. Players will meet, battle and eventually team up with the familiar characters on high-profile missions or at player-organized events.

The Matrix Online’s interlock combat system offers gamers special martial arts moves based on "wire-fu" and “bullet time” effects popularized in the films. An MMOG with the most intense combat set in a contemporary urban environment, The Matrix Online is designed to be a compelling experience for players of all types, ability levels and interests with extensive character creation, dynamic social experiences, and a high-level fashion component.

The Matrix Online will be sold through all major game retailers for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $49.99.  Gamers can either subscribe online for a monthly subscription fee of $14.99 or purchase pre-paid game cards with 60 days worth of playtime for $29.99.For more information on The Matrix Online, please visit the official website: www.thematrixonline.com