Matrix Online: The Pwntouchables: Evolutionary Roleplaying

Despite the many complaints about most MMORPGs to date, the one thing the majority of them lack is the actual RPG. Sure, you can customize your character, but the usual game play results in little more than a grind-fest or first (third) person shooter with minimal character or NPC interaction. The Matrix Online aspires to be our best, latest hope to fulfill the one important requirement for carrying the title RPG. Story. There is a group out there, however, who is not willing to just sit idly by and wait to see if the developer's actually hold true to the spirit of the acronym. That group is the PWNTouchables.

I've recently sat down and had an enlightening conversation with the mastermind behind the PWNTouchables to find out exactly what it is that he and his team are planning. This is how it panned out:

RumblingSky: I'm sitting here with Doc_Matrix of the PWNTouchables, one of the most unique groups to hit the MMORPG scene. What's up Doc?

Doc_Matrix: LOL. Not much. Are we really that unique?

RumblingSky: I don't know. Honestly, in my experience, I've never heard of anything like it. Why don't you tell us about the PWNTouchables?

Doc_Matrix: Well, really, we're just a large group of roleplayers who will be playing in The Matrix Online. The difference between us and the groups that have come before us is that we aren't actually a singular guild. We're more like an organization of roleplayers who are made up of many people and guilds. Our goal is to promote roleplay for those who wish to partake and to provide an avenue for education about roleplaying for those who would like to learn.

RumblingSky: That's extremely cool. We all know one of the major points lacking in MMORPGs on the part of the developers has been instituting a way to promote roleplay inherently in their systems.

Doc_Matrix: Agreed. That's why we've developed MOSS for The Matrix Online.

RumblingSky: Well, what exactly is MOSS?

Doc_Matrix: Hehe, no one can be told what MOSS is. :)

RumblingSky: LOL.

Doc_Matrix: MOSS is an acronym which stands for the Matrix Online Supplemental Storyline. In addition to the official story arc written by the story team, the PWNTouchables, with the assistance of the community, are going to provide a supplemental storyline that will give participating players an additional outlet to better define their characters and the chance to interact with the larger roleplaying community.

RumblingSky: That is an impressive undertaking, for sure. This kind of thing has never been attempted before. Will these storylines interact with the official story arc in any way?

Doc_Matrix: Not at all. The official writers are much more qualified to stand alone in their endeavors. The official story arc will progress, and MOSS will be on the sidelines offering its own plot for inclined roleplayers to follow. Participating in MOSS will not keep anyone from participating in the official plot or visa versa.

RumblingSky: Will MOSS receive developer support?

Doc_Matrix: Not at this time. The developers will be busy making, running and debugging the game and probably wont even be aware of this project. The purpose of MOSS is to further player-created, player-driven storylines.

RumblingSky: Interesting. How will our characters benefit from our participation?

Doc_Matrix: As far as game mechanics go, your character would not benefit anymore so than if he were performing routine in-game missions. As the project grows, there may be player-donated or staff-donated rewards to be given to the first participants to complete sideline quests. Such rewards might include valuable Ability Codes, rare clothing, etc. The primary purpose of MOSS isn't items, grinding or to promote any of the monotonous aspects inherent in any MMO. It is about the players and the storylines their characters become involved in.

RumblingSky: When will MOSS take place?

Doc_Matrix: Moss storylines will take place continuously throughout the life of the project and/or The Matrix Online itself. MOSS storylines will be active not only during the normal course of the main writer storylines, but will also provide roleplayers with something to do during the time between official story updates. In all honesty, if you are a solo, hack 'n slash player who cares little about the development of character personality or the details of their lives, the MOSS will probably offer you nothing of interest.

RumblingSky: Who is in charge of writing these supplemental storylines and actually carrying them out? How can we participate?

Doc_Matrix: The community, actually. There are many ways to participate. You can be an actor, a contributor, a director, or any combination of the three depending on your desire for participation. Actors will merely benefit from taking part in the stories as they unfold. Contributors are those who wish to offer story ideas, donate character items as reward incentives for participation, or contribute to the actual implementation of the stories in whatever way they can. Directors are the players writing the stories themselves. Primarily, they are participating guild leaders who are active in developing the stories and who encourage their members to follow the plot. The PWNTouchables' staff will be directors as well.

RumblingSky: Are there specific rules to follow?

Doc_Matrix: There are no actual rules, per se. There are just general guidelines of etiquette for those who wish to participate. Players can get involved with the story the way their characters would. If the latest story arc is that your faction is warring with another faction, then you wouldn't go up to an enemy member and have a drink with him at the local bar and share knock-knock jokes. You'd be at war, after all. Other than that general concept, the only true rule is to maintain a separation between in-character (IC) and out-of-character (OOC) personalities. You, personally, may be a nice, benevolent person but if your character is a gruff, butt-kicking soldier then while you are playing that character, you should act accordingly.

RumblingSky: Well, I'm sold! Where do I go to sign up and communicate with other MOSS participants?

Doc_Matrix: The PWNTouchables have a specific discussion board dedicated to MOSS development within our forums. All OOC communication will take place there. IC communication will, of course, occur within the game itself. We will likely have a separate, IC forum for out of game IC communication and will likely have a fiction area where participants can write stories about their encounters inspired by MOSS if they would like.

RumblingSky: Well, Doc. I guess that's about it. Personally, I think what you guys have started here is something amazing. It sounds like you've got things well planned out and ready to go. I'm looking forward to taking part in this unique experience, myself.

Doc_Matrix: We're looking forward to having you aboard. Again, if anyone is interested in participating or have any further questions they should feel free to jack into the PWNTouchables site. We'll be more than happy to help in any way that we can. We are also more than willing to help anyone new to roleplaying learn about exactly what the concept is and how to take full advantage of what a roleplaying game has to offer.

RumblingSky: Fantastic! Thanks for your time, Doc!

Doc_Matrix: And thank you.

And there you have it folks. Here is where to go if you're interested in contacting the PWNTouchables!. I look forward to seeing you all there!