What is the Matrix?

**Rarebit**

Just thought I'd ask, since this is a question that underlies a lot of discussion that goes on concerning features added to the game. I don't want you to think about what *isn't* the Matrix here--laser pew-pew discussions have already been done to death. And this isn't a question about MXO the game directly. In fact, just imagine that MXO doesn't exist. Clear your mind, and ask yourself: What is the Matrix to you?

**Othinn1**

"The Matrix is whatever you want it to be." -Laurence Fishburne, USA Today interview.

What it is depends on who you are and what you believe, I guess. If you've ever seen that one website that claimed that "The Matrix is a metaphor for Wicca", you'd understand. SMILEY

Abierto

Rarebit,

Do you watch the TV shows "Lost" or "Battlestar Galactica?" Do you read comics like Marvel's "Civil War?" For me, the Matrix really helped set off today's storytelling style, where long-form episodic narratives can offer opportunities for incredible characterization, long set-ups, and super-shocking but satisfying payoffs that let you as an audience member know you're in good hands and being taken on an amazing ride that sparks the imagination and grabs the heart.

The current story has the seeds for kickass payoffs that are worthy of we loyalists' years of waiting:

1. Morpheus could come back with an incredible story detailing his time away...a story that we can learn of through cinematics, missions, and live events.

2. Neo's body's whereabouts and the reason for its disappearance could be the makings for another incredible payoff that could be built up and delivered over several cinematics, missions, and live events.

3. The Twins' time away is a third opportunity to provide a rousing story detailing what they were doing while gone from our view.

4. Seraph is a character that's severely under-utilized, and many of us are chomping at the bit to get more of his backstory.

5. Ghost is also a character worthy of more attention in the storyline proper. Anyone who's that cool has a catalogue of adventures that we can learn more about.

6. The goings-on in the Real is very mysterious and in need of more explanation. As such, it's also fresh territory for more storytelling. Controllers and Tyndall deserve their own backstory elaboration, and learning more about Zionites living amonst each other while supporting three different factions would be very interesting to learn more of.

7. Finally, any sort of input/endorsement from the Wachowski Brothers themselves would be such a boon for those of us holding on in the hopes of being taken to the magic of the trilogy once again. If Mr. Chadwick could meet with them again (I thought he was going to meet once a year with them) and let us know that he has, or that he will, then it would be a great validation for sticking around.

Thanks for starting this thread, and we hope your efforts to entertain us are bolstered by like-minded reinforcements soon!

Peace,

Abierto

Matsumura

To me we are wither lving in the Matrix right now or we could be living in it, in the future. Theres no way that we could tell or not wether we were in the matrix or not. People say "Well they wouldnt be dumb enough to make a movie about what is really happening" But I think that we would be too dumb to even now if it was right in front of our faces.

"...It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth..."

-Morpheus

**GypsyJuggler**

To at least one of my characters, the Matrix represents the Negotiating Table. The fate of the real world is going to be decided by our actions in the Matrix. It's like, a chapter in the saga of humankind. We've reached a kind of crisis point, the future can go one of three ways and only one of those will continue the free lives of men. Or at least that's how it looks to one old grizzly bear.

**10011**

To Abierto: I think Rarebit said once that he either doesn't own a TV or doesn't watch it.

To the thread at hand:

To me, the Matrix was exemplified through several dominant themes. Primarily, the varying levels of control: the simulation that controls the majority of humanity, the facade of freedom represented by Zion, the One and the factors in place that were designed to control him. Coupled with this, there was also the inherent mystery within every story and side story. Never knowing what exactly was going on kept the imagination running full speed. Even after the completion of the movie trilogy, the majority of the story is still open to interpretation and debate as to whether things were as simple as they seemed or if it was an even deeper system of control at work. Plenty of philosophical infusion too.
For one thing, I don't think there has ever been the appropriate emphasis on Exiles in MxO. There's all kinds of generic soldier Exiles that are just space fillers for missions, but nothing special. Think about how popular the Assassin was and continues to be, not to mention the Effectuator and, of course, the Twins. When I think of the Matrix, I think of just how many independent programs exist, making up the whole of the simulation, and just how many unique Exiles there could be out there. The story has been so human and Zion-centric so far.

Anyways, there's a few details I managed to spit out. I think I kind of strayed from the actual question. I have trouble expressing what stories mean to me because when I watch/read one or write something, I capture the feeling behind it but have trouble putting it into words. Kind of like trying to describe what a color looks like.

Dunno if this helps, but I asked this same question a month or two ago and there's about 4 pages of responses.
http://forums.station.sony.com/mxo/..._id=10400151372

**Mercio**

good question.....

I'll have an indepth answer for you tomorrow.

**AqueousRei**

Who has not had a dream that was so realistic that you thought it was the real... and what if both are the dream, And what if neither are dreams?

For me the space inbetween is what lets me define them seperately.

The matrix as a simulation would be like a physical cyberspace seperate from your dreams and the real world... the Online game with graphics so crisp that if you were born inside of it, you would think it was real... hey wait a minute.... SMILEY

**Abigor666**

The Matrix to me is life. What I mean by this is that I feel the Matrix from the movies reflect alot on American society today as a whole which in one respect is why I suppose Im a Cypherite.

You see in alot of respects Machines I feel represent our goverment. Were nothing but profit margins and in many respects expendable. In a best case scenerio this is wrong but I feel it also reflects that we are given a controled area to live our lives in peace as long as we dont threaten the system. Forgive the cliche but I feel The Matrix and our countries society as a whole let us pick what is on the menu but dont let us choose whats on it so it doesnt threaten the system and helps it run efficiently.

I feel Exiles really reflect deeply on Criminal Society in America alot. When you cant go to the goverment in the Matrix you go to organized crime. I think exiles in many respects show the in ability to predict the criminal element as a whole as well as its unique culture. Although the Merovingian's name suggests the royal bloodline his method's he uses with running his organization are similiar to that of the Italian Mafia. Although Flood didnt come onto the scene until after the movies he is a perfect example of this.

Zion reflects deeply on the religous right wing. I think that it reflects in this manner due to the fact that they are willing to kill over faith based beliefs and believe anyone who isnt with them is against them. There arnt many grey areas with Zion on how they feel and I believe its their greatest weakness and has reflected deep into the actual online story.

**Fractor**

The Matrix is a mix of combat and philosophy. We already have alot of combat but maybe we could do with some more philosophy linking with religion like in the movies as this site shows.

**zeroone506**

Rarebit wrote:

Just thought I'd ask, since this is a question that underlies a lot of discussion that goes on concerning features added to the game. I don't want you to think about what *isn't* the Matrix here--laser pew-pew discussions have already been done to death. And this isn't a question about MXO the game directly. In fact, just imagine that MXO doesn't exist. Clear your mind, and ask yourself: What is the Matrix to you?

The Matrix is laser pew-pew.

But seriously, it depends on how this question is meant. It doesn't make much sense to think about how it's meant, because in this case, it really comes down to what the questioner has in mind. Once the more specific question is asked, it can be discussed properly, otherwise, it's just an abstract question people will read anything into.
In case you unbelievers still doubt, it's as if I asked "What is spam?". SMILEY

If it's the original meaning of this question, namely the one Neo had been asking himself and later, Morpheus, I think the answer was given to most already before they had seen the movies, namely in summaries and reviews, and in the white construt scene, movie one.

Or does it mean what the Matrix means to me or represents within the (pop) culture scene (limited)? A totally different question, and probably already with all kinds of answers and opinions.

Or what "style" it stands for in this pop culture? Bride, overarching artistic question, touching lots of different areas. I just know it's not laser pew pew SMILEY

Is it the meaning of the name, or which of these meanings corresponds to the plot? More of a symbolism and analogy question.

Or what it stands for, what kind of society/philosophy/whatever it represents, or shows? Again, symbolism and allegory.

Really, there's lots of ways to pose or interpret this question, or also to read into it. What is the Matrix? The section of the Machine simulation network reserved for enslaved humans. Easy as that.

**zeroone506**

Ok, I think I was rather looking at the replies than your post I've quoted. I guess you mean the style and story, namely what's "Matrixy" and what's not.

It's, indeed, a difficult question, and I don't want to simplify it. However, if there's one term to describe the "Matrix", it's: cross-over. The Matrix is a cross-over. Wherever you look, it's a mixed pot of seemingly uncombinable ideas and styles. There is hardly one definite style to the music or atmosphere, to the look or action, to dialogues, to structure, to story elements etc.. The concept allows a great diversity, and impressive contrasts.
We have a cold, menacing city, agents in suits and guns contrasted to medieval castles, mythological creatures and swords, and it just doesn't want to seem out of place. I find it great how the concept allows to take elements from pretty much any area, be it science-fiction cyberpunk, comics, mythology/fantasy or horror without breaking the logic or the style. Well, ya just need to make it look stylish, of course, cinematic 5.2 maybe not being the best example (though I liked the pew-pew bullet time).
The Assassin, then again, and the whole theme revolving around decay, corruption and flies was just so unbelievable dark and atmospheric...

However, I also don't think you can simply put anything what comes up in your mind. But I think I'm not ready to deepen or elaborate, at least not yet. Difficult question, after all =P

Well, maybe a part of me is sceptical with the high dosis of humour in the critical missions, since you kinda associate the Matrix with "dark". But then again, it wasn't all dark and serious, and I have yet to build up a proper opinion about the crits, not lastly by completing the archive missions... so yea, I'm so unready to present that, either...

**Othinn1**

zeroone506 wrote:

It's, indeed, a difficult question, and I don't want to simplify it. However, if there's one term to describe the "Matrix", it's: cross-over. The Matrix is a cross-over. Wherever you look, it's a mixed pot of seemingly uncombinable ideas and styles. There is hardly one definite style to the music or atmosphere, to the look or action, to dialogues, to structure, to story elements etc.. The concept allows a great diversity, and impressive contrasts.
We have a cold, menacing city, agents in suits and guns contrasted to medieval castles, mythological creatures and swords, and it just doesn't want to seem out of place. I find it great how the concept allows to take elements from pretty much any area, be it science-fiction cyberpunk, comics, mythology/fantasy or horror without breaking the logic or the style.

   That's pretty much what I was trying to say in my post. The Matrix franchise has a ton of potential.

   You have redpills who can load practically any piece of information into their heads. You have a simulated world whose code has varying degrees of malleability depending on how strong the individual is. You also have smaller virtual worlds whose laws don't have to match the ones in the Matrix. And you have Exiles who could look like anything from a human to a monster.

   Let's not forget that everything in these virtual environments is code. Normal everyday objects can have entirely different properties. A vase of roses could be a computer virus that affects anyone who takes in its scent.

**cloudwolf**

"A world where anything is possible"

**cloudwolf**

To answer more specifically and personally (now i remember making the perfect answer to this in one of said pew pew discussions but to heck if im hunting it down... though it really was awesome... meh, i might) I'll just throw out words which spark 'matrix' in my mind.

"Dark"
"Grunge"
"Goth"
"Cyper-Punk"
"Stylish"
"Secretive"
"Psedu-Reality"
"Ever Shifting"
"Mysterious"
"Questioning"
"Dangerous"
"Cold war"
"Half truths"
"Doubt"
"Lies, using and being lead"
"Un-easyness"
"Conspiracy"
"Tension"

Some small phrases...

"A battle to find one's place in a struggle of ideals"
"Either fighting blindly for ones beliefs or instead questioning everything"
"Final realisation and enlightenment"
"The Matrix has, beneath it's dark exterior, the potential for undescribable wonder and beauty (sati sunset)"