Sony to unplug Matrix Online July 31

  • By Mark Walton, GameSpot UK
  • Posted May 29, 2009 7:51 am PT

After seven years of delays, controversy, and problems, the Monolith-developed, movie-inspired sci-fi MMORPG will shut its doors this summer.

When the Matrix Online was first announced back at E3 2002, few could have foreseen the delays the massively multiplayer online role-playing game would face in the run up to release. The game was to be originally copublished by Ubisoft in conjunction with Warner Bros.; however the deal fell through in 2004 for undisclosed reasons. Ironically, Warner bought the game's developer, Monolith Productions (F.E.A.R.), that same year.

If only the oracle could have foreseen this.

Work on the title continued, however, and at E3 2004 Sega announced that it would take over copublishing duties for the title before it was finally released in 2005. The story was far from over though because later that year, Ubisoft announced that it was leaving the MMO business and sold all rights to the game to Sony Online Entertainment.

Controversy continued to dog the game when Sony added in-game advertising, much to the lamentation of users, downsized the game world by two-thirds because of "a sparse population," and then finally tried to entice users back into the game with improved combat.

Now the long journey of the Matrix Online has come to an end. A post on the game’s forums yesterday evening has revealed the title is to be unplugged on July 31, after four years online. The cancellation of the game echoes the fate of many other MMOGs, including the six-years-in development Tabula Rasa, which launched in 2007 after several delays and barely made it 13 months. Namco Bandai and EA's single-player/persistent premium MMOG hybrid Hellgate: London also closed its doors after a year following technical difficulties and a weak public reception.

The Matrix Online team has promised an "end-of-the-world event" before the game closes shop, allowing players to "revisit all the things that make MxO the memorable experience it is."

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145 Comments

  • Shadow-909

    Posted Jul 25, 2009 3:28 pm PT

    Why?! Why?! Why?! I just bought it finally after 6 years of struggle!
    Just started playing! D'x

  • Cracktacularq

    Posted Jul 18, 2009 1:55 am PT

    Matrix Revolutions made me want to forget all things Matrix. Good riddance.

  • petrino

    Posted Jun 28, 2009 6:08 am PT

    so this is what REM sang about

  • smithy1185

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 3:30 pm PT

    I knew SOE wanted new subscribers because back in 06 they were including the game in every swag bag at their block parties. I have 3 copies of it sitting in my closet.

  • BloodMist

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 3:50 am PT

    The Battlefield series hasn't been good since 1942.Yeah, thumb me down for tellin it like it is.

  • sizzlingdviper

    Posted May 31, 2009 9:33 pm PT

    doesn't suprise me Sony's pulling the plug on this 1-Well just look at the PS2 for instance-Millions of owners,especially the slimline version with built in ethernet adapter,and anyone who-like me own the "Fat" original PS2 and have splashed out on add on network adapter,and yet basically no online play on hardly anything except the Excellent Battlefield 2.I know PS3 is the future,but can't help but feel Sony abandoned all PS2 owners who helped Sony build up their company.

  • Jedilink109

    Posted May 30, 2009 8:50 pm PT

    Yeah I bought this game when it first came out because I loved the Matrix and I was CRAZY HOOKED on this game for MONTHS. I can only PRAY that fans will start up a server to play it and let people play for free. I would without a DOUBT play the game again if it was free dude. I LOVED this game. I just can't get past paying monthly for a game. No matter what. Lots of people love playing WOW but they have to pay every month. It's exactly why I prefer Guild Wars. If they let me play MXO for free, I'd be back on it that day.

  • Darkon_X

    Posted May 30, 2009 6:38 pm PT

    So if you own the matrix online you won't be able to play after July 31? If so then that sucks. I feel bad for all those people who maxed out their characters and stuff... now they're just going to have to leave that behind.

  • -Raiden-

    Posted May 30, 2009 6:16 am PT

    Well i loved smith in the film, so maybe im getting this:-)

  • -Raiden-

    Posted May 30, 2009 6:16 am PT

    Well i loved smith in the film, so maybe im buying my first matrix game:-)

    I Will have a look at this:-)

  • erik_wolff

    Posted May 30, 2009 12:57 am PT

    I honestly thought this game died years ago. Haven't heard anything about it in years.

  • BloodMist

    Posted May 29, 2009 10:52 pm PT

    I liked the ideas that this game had, i played the beta and found it to be pretty enjoyable, definitely had a Matrix feel to it, it was neat that it had a story that was changing a lot...it's a shame that it couldn't keep enough subscribers to stay afloat.And with The Matrix hype all but gone these days thanks to most people not being able to understand the last two films for what they were really about and some shoddy Matrix games, it's doubtful there will ever be an MMO quite like it again.

  • guynamedyeah posted May 29, 2009 10:33 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    guynamedyeah

    Posted May 29, 2009 10:33 pm PT (hide)

    the matrix? wow, havent heard about this lame game for a long time.

  • nurse_tsunami

    Posted May 29, 2009 10:18 pm PT

    I am surprised it lasted so long after it had so many problems on launch. I remember when it came out with all those bugs. Hopefully a better game will come along and take its place.

  • Zloth2

    Posted May 29, 2009 10:02 pm PT

    As an adult that's likely older than you, I know it's sheer folly to try and tell somebody they aren't having fun when they clearly are, or what goals they should be seeking. When we get to the old folks' home and they don't let you play basketball because it's too risky, I'll show you all the worlds you're missing out on right now. Well, screenshots of the worlds....

    Rest in peace, Matrix Online. It's a miracle you even got out the door, nevermind lasting this long.

  • twashington9737

    Posted May 29, 2009 9:42 pm PT

    I dunno. To me, MMOs are just a bit much. I was a video game nut growing up when console gaming first started when I was a kid and still game to this very day but I could never put as much time and desire into gaming like I did when I was much younger. I'm a single man with no kids or wife and although I do party or whatever, here and there, I prefer to get out the house and play basketball, go running, hit the gym or just go places in general. MMOs are too time consuming and I couldn't imagine spending that much time gaming, now, as an adult. I don't think it's very healthy. Come hate me...

  • StSk8ter29

    Posted May 29, 2009 7:31 pm PT

    Phazevariance: Not to be a jerk, but to think that WoW is the only successful mmo out there is being extremely close-minded. Other mmos that have seen great success during the "reign" of WoW have included Guild Wars, The Lord of the Rings Online, and Warhammer Online. All games may not have achieved 10 million subscribers, but they have all achieved success in becoming popular mmos even if they haven't etched themselves into the wall of pop culture.

  • IgotEpixx

    Posted May 29, 2009 6:40 pm PT

    Suprised it didn't happen sooner to be honest.

  • frogman666

    Posted May 29, 2009 5:33 pm PT

    well they had my money for a year I got to lvl 50 was head of Dream Warriors faction but it got boring so I left but the people their were really cool

  • steven141

    Posted May 29, 2009 5:24 pm PT

    The only thing i am surprised about is that this did not happen a lot sooner. I enjoyed it at first but the enjoyment disappears eventually. There used to be 9 server with mass amount of people, eventually it became 1 when it fell into SOE's hands, and now thats hardly has anyone. Should of happened sooner.

  • zedizdead

    Posted May 29, 2009 4:56 pm PT

    This game was out?

  • mrmac1595

    Posted May 29, 2009 4:55 pm PT

    Don't know how that gay smile got in there. That is suppose to say path. (see below)

  • mrmac1595

    Posted May 29, 2009 4:54 pm PT

    Matrixath of Neo on the ps2 was a great game however I think it never got the credit because the first Matrix game (unloaded I think) was a waste of the disc it was printed on. I think they should definitely cancel the online and remake the series in a detailed game only for PC/PS3/XBOX360 an open world game where your powers get ridiculously overcharged as you progress (similar to infamous/protoype)

  • games100

    Posted May 29, 2009 4:37 pm PT

    R.I.P

  • 2611mp

    Posted May 29, 2009 4:28 pm PT

    i would rather play super soccer '94 for 10 years straight than play WOW for an hour. anyway, shame about this closing, played it ages ago

  • AndyPandy1991

    Posted May 29, 2009 3:38 pm PT

    as long as WOW exists all others wil have futile tries...

  • Oni

    Posted May 29, 2009 3:37 pm PT

    Oh my, I thought it had been closed a long time ago. I played it and it was very repetitive.

  • flint101_7

    Posted May 29, 2009 3:09 pm PT

    such a shame i just went on the 14 trail over a month ago shame it has to come to an end it had its potentional sort of but at least they could put the servers up for the public to download and host

  • DFalcon999

    Posted May 29, 2009 3:06 pm PT

    This marks the first MMO game SOE has actually closed.

    I'd wager EverQuest: Online Adventures for the PS2 is next, I'd imagine it's userbase is even smaller than MxO's.

    And to everyone acting like SOE is at fault- Not this time. You can't break what is already a trainwreck. Warner Bros Interactive aimed too high, and delivered poorly. They screwed their own game over before SOE ever could.

    In-game advertising? How else do expect SOE to break even let alone profit when there was more Mr. Smith's in Matrix Reloaded's Burly Brawl Scene, than there were players for this game?

  • Intrakitt

    Posted May 29, 2009 3:04 pm PT

    I forgot this game even existed. Oh well...goes to show how important it was.

  • Spartan_418

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:52 pm PT

    This is too bad. Seems like Eve is the only non-WoW MMO enjoying any kind of success. I heard that this game still had a dedicated population of a couple hundred, but I guess that's not enough.

  • cowmaster2k3

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:48 pm PT

    Sucks for the 5 people still playing it...

  • Dreski83

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    Like most MMO's, Matrix was fun for about a month... after seeing the story concept tossed out (which was the whole hook for playing) I expected to see the game shut down eventually.

    I feel bad for my friend who's been playing since day one, but at least he has Conan to keep busy with.

  • kemar7856

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:46 pm PT

    this game still alive? wow

  • Warchief_Zuljin

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:36 pm PT

    Sony changed the combat system to make it more appealing. Sounds like another MMO they destroyed and for some reason hasn't been axed yet: Star Wars Galaxies. Ah, that game will forever be remembered for Sony's stupidity. "We want new players, and we'll sacrifice all our current players to get those new players". "Oops, it didn't work, but we won't change the game back to the way it was before!"

  • Phazevariance posted May 29, 2009 2:33 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Phazevariance

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:33 pm PT (hide)

    MMORPG's will slowly go the way of the buffalo, its a cash cow when it works, but there can only be one it seems, and it isn't neo, its WoW.

  • eric_neo3

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:26 pm PT

    Sony added in-game advertising, much to the lamentation of users,

    This tells me sony got greedy with a costly game, subscription and then advertising on top. Of course people would leave the mmo once you get that greedy.

    As for hellgate they lied to the public and offered online via a once off payment for, here's the key words "a Life-time subscription" which they did not deliver. and with no lan capabilities because of the online multiplayer mode the game wasn't on many gamers lists.

  • shadowysea07

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:22 pm PT

    unless its popular its most likely to get the plug pulled.

  • chibi-acer

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    I think there were more Agent Smiths in the 3 films than there were players for this game. R.I.P.

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted May 29, 2009 2:05 pm PT

    It's kind of like a baby that was never born, died. I never knew you Matrix MMORPG but you will be missed.

  • cjasko94

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:52 pm PT

    ah It didn't look to great any way. I would like a new matrix movie though ^_^

  • TXMostWanted

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:44 pm PT

    MMO are hard enough to capitalize on (even though Blizzard has perfected it). Making a movie-based video game franchise successful & high on quality is harder.
    Doing both = 10 Plagues of Egypt on a video game. Surprised it lasted this long

  • ssjdagas

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:38 pm PT

    I'm surprised that it's still online and that it was released in 2005, I thought it was released in 2003 or something, but 2005 was 4 years ago (doesn't feel like that long).

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:32 pm PT

    Honestly, did anyone actually know this was still active? Talk about being so far off the radar that when people ask for a new MMO, people can't even think of this.

  • Dante2710

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:29 pm PT

    cant say im surprised, but then again, there are too many mmos in the market, might have something to do with this getting overshadow by the big boys

  • FoxExecutive

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:28 pm PT

    MMORPGs = bad ideas. There has a handful of exceptions. If you decide to make one you better have really deep pockets and a superb dev team. I know a lot of people hate Warcraft but just look at the cost of development on that project. What is funny is that even Warcraft divides people who love its interactivity with NPC's and other players and others who think it is mindless grinding and repetitive quest/dungeons/bosses.

    Honestly, I thought this game fell through a long time ago.

  • gohoanq

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:16 pm PT

    Lol, well it had a...somewhat...good..run..i guess... o.o It's been on life support until now and it's finally getting let go. T.T Love Matrix.. but this game is just sad.

  • XanderZane

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:09 pm PT

    Tabula Rasa barely lasted a year and was shut down. It was 6 yrs in the making for that game. Talk about through million and millions out the window. They didn't even get 1/10 of their money back for that game. Like everyone else, I too thought TMO got shut down 6-12 months after Sony took it over. The game was just awful and not really worth your time or money. The next MMO I may try is Champions Online, as long as the fee is low or it's FREE.

  • ALLoY1717

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:08 pm PT

    It is not surprising. The MMO market is overflowing and there is only room for a very few select games in this area, since people dont have the time and money to play more than one. I would expect more to follow suit Conan wont be able to hold up for too much longer.

  • Dawg9000

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:08 pm PT

    This is why I hated Everquest 2. The population is immensely smaller than WoW's population.

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