Warner Bros., Monolith Productions and EON Entertainment are producing a massively multiplayer online video game based on the hugely successful "The Matrix" franchise, it was announced today by Kevin Tsujihara, Executive Vice President, Corporate Business Development & Strategy, Warner Bros.; Jason Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Monolith Productions; and EON Entertainment, a collaboration between the films' producers, Joel Silver, and the films' creators, writers and director, Larry and Andy Wachowski.
Able to accommodate tens of thousands of players in a single shared environment, the game will be a re-creation of the virtual world of The Matrix, employing cutting-edge 3-D graphics, networking and server technology. The game will combine the best elements of the action-adventure genre and character building/role playing games with the social interaction/community of an ongoing online game. Under the direction of Warner Bros., Monolith Productions and EON Entertainment will design the game using LithTech's Discovery System, a completely new set of tools and technology, including a new 3-D renderer and high-capacity server system, built to accommodate the unique challenges presented in the creation of this type of product.
"The Matrix" is a perfect property on which to base a massively multiplayer online game, said Tsujihara. This project will combine the online entertainment resources and expertise of Warner Bros. and AOL Time Warner with one of the most cutting-edge game developers in the world.
We know fans of the franchise are extremely dedicated and loyal and we intend to do everything we can to remain true to "The Matrix," while providing them with the ultimate online gaming experience, said Hall. Warner Bros. Pictures' The Matrix, released in 1999, took in more than $475 million in box office worldwide. The next two segments of the trilogy, The Matrix: Reloaded and The Matrix: Revolutions, are scheduled for release in 2003. Warner Bros. Online will premiere its new Matrix Web site on May 16, 2003, as the teaser trailer for the two upcoming films appears nationwide in theaters. www.thematrix.com will now be the official online source for all things The Matrix.
