Matrix Online: The Walrus Speaks on Storyline Implementation!

How the Story Unfolds in The Matrix Online

The Matrix Online has promised to deliver an "ongoing story" in a way that has never been done before. Throughout the beta, we have primarily concentrated on testing the underlying functionality of the game without revealing much of the planned story content. Because of this, I'd like to take a moment to describe the various story delivery mechanisms and features that players will have access to.

The Story Writer

First and foremost, the ongoing story will be written by Paul Chadwick, the award-winning creator of the acclaimed comic book series Concrete. Paul was handpicked by the Wachowskis to continue the story of the Matrix through The Matrix Online.

Missions

Missions provide a big chunk of the gameplay in The Matrix Online, but they are not simply a means to advance your character and find loot. From time to time, you will notice certain missions that appear as "Critical Missions" in your mission panel. These critical missions often provide insight and involvement into the ongoing story. Each Organization will sponsor critical missions and savvy players will be able to discern from these the evolving situations that are affecting the Matrix. You might even find clues that shed some light on previous or upcoming events!

Some critical missions are more exclusive than others. In these sorts of missions, you may even encounter famous Matrix characters like Morpheus or the Merovingian. Remember, because these missions are replaced by new missions on a periodic basis, not everyone will be able to access every mission. The Matrix Online is an evolving world, and nothing lasts forever. You may be one of the few players in the game who will ever participate in certain missions.

Some of the very early story-based Critical Missions are playable in beta. If you want to ensure that you get assigned to these exclusive and top-secret missions, make sure your Reputation with the Organization is as high as possible. The higher your Reputation is with the sponsoring Organization, the more missions you will have access to. Increasing your Reputation is done by performing any mission, even normal, non-critical missions. Prove yourself to your chosen Organization, and you will be recognized for your contributions.

Cinematics

Certain moments and situations in The Matrix Online are so dramatic and so important to the story of the Matrix that we want everyone to be able to view them. In these situations, we create special Cinematics that feature Matrix characters who are often voiced by the original actors who played those characters in the films.

New cinematics will be made available on a periodic basis. When a new one comes out, it will usually signal that a new series of Critical Missions are available, or that some kind of momentous event will occur.

The Sentinel

Of course, Redpills and Exiles are not the only denizens of the Matrix. They share the computer simulation with millions of Bluepills (humans that have not realized that the Matrix is a digital illusion).

The Sentinel is a newspaper written and produced by Bluepills. They often talk about boring, mundane events that don't concern Redpills, but many times, the activities of Redpills, Machines and Exiles accidentally interfere with or affect the lives of Bluepills.

Discerning players will be able to "read between the lines" and realize that the reports of "an unusual string of gang violence" or "strange break-ins" are actually Bluepill attempts to explain the results of Redpill and Exile activities. For players who want to know every possible nuance of the Matrix universe, the Sentinel is a great resource.

Story Events

Story Events are real-time gameplay activities that The Matrix Online live team creates in order to move the story forward. Story Events can consist of anything from an appearance by the Oracle to the onslaught of a world altering virus that threatens the stability of the Matrix.

In each case, these events will affect players in different ways. Some might be startlingly obvious, while others are subtle and will only be realized by a select few. It will be difficult for players to predict or know for certain when an event will occur, but this is the intent. To make the most of your time in The Matrix Online, stay alert for things that look unusual or out of place. You never know when you could get swept up into the history books of the Matrix.

Future Surprises

While the methods described above are the major vehicles for the delivering the story content in The Matrix Online, there is always more than meets than eye when it comes to the Matrix. Keep your eyes open over the coming months, and you may be surprised at some of the ways in which the story continues to be developed.

The original article can be found here.