What if in the future the world we think we know isn't really a world at all, but a peaceful, enjoyable artificial reality known as the Matrix? What if this same artificial reality was created by sentient machines in order to keep us unaware that they are growing and harvesting us as an energy source? Now, what if someone from the real world contacted you in this artificial reality, told you of your potential to free your mind and bend space and time to your will, and agreed to train you in exchange for your agreement to one day fight back against the human-harvesting machines? Would you listen? Would you follow the white rabbit and discover just how deep the rabbit-hole goes?

The Matrix Online is a MMORPG set in the fictional universe of The Matrix, made popular by various movies and books. This MMOG features a streamlined combat system unique among MMOs, comprising attacks and special abilities which personify the Matrix world. Examples include "bullet time", "wire fu" and "systemic anomalies". Players may side with one of three factions (Zionist Humans, Exiles, or Machines) and join in the ongoing war against the other two. Missions in The Matrix Online, unlike many MMOs, are randomly generated, involved, multi-tiered undertakings which encompass such Matrix-like activities as hacking, lock-picking and disabling security devices.

The Matrix Online is praised for being the first MMORPG ever to feature a storyline delivered cinematically and in mission packs made available each week between game updates. Special live events arranged and acted out by the Sony Online Entertainment game developers also help move the storyline along. During these live events, Matrix characters such as Niobe, Morpheus, Ghost and Seraph randomly enter the game (or “jack-inâ&a » circ;‚¬