The Matrix Unplugged [Matrix-Themed, Open Source MMORPG]

[CipherJonathan]

The Matrix Unplugged, a Matrix-themed, text-based, open source MMO which I've been working on for a little while now, has just been publicly released for the first time! Over the past month, I've been working alongside our dedicated beta-testing team to get the game up to a reasonable standard before public release, and now I feel that we have achieved enough maturity, stability and security for me to feel comfortable releasing the game to the world.

The majority of the core game code is in (Training, Missions and Combat will constitute for most of the player's gameplay), although it is still early days and there's tons of additional content and further features which I still plan on implementing. Here are a few screenshots of the progress so far:

http://i.imgur.com/r3DhPl.png
http://i.imgur.com/dJHGGl.png
http://i.imgur.com/HS5zRl.png
http://i.imgur.com/L7M7Rl.png

The first image there is of the prototype training system, in which users can train their core stats (combat, coding, hacking and tactics) at the cost of some Focus. I plan to add images and some funky Javascript effects to the training system shortly.
The second image is of the Explore page, where the majority of the in-game features can be accessed (all of the other core features can be accessed via the sidebar menu).
The third image is of the selection interface for the in-game organizations system. This system allows you to join one of the in-game organizations: Zion, Machines or Merovingian (I also plan on adding other organizations, such as the Cypherites, to the game soon). As part of an organization, you will receive a certain amount of money and a certain number of stat increases per day, depending on your rank (you can increase your rank by reaching particular milestones within the organization).
The final image is of the combat system, which, admittedly, I'm not completely satisfied with at the moment. However, for the time being, this is how combat works in-game (note the cool health bars - they're a relatively new addition).

Anyway, I definitely welcome your suggestions and feedback, and would be honoured if you signed up and tried it out The game is completely free to play, and you can find us here: http://www.matrixunplugged.co.uk

Have fun, and have a nice day!

[Julius]

In before all the other negative comments

Don't make a game based on a propitiatory IP, all that will happen is Warner Brothers suing you to kill the project.

[sireus]

Why do y'all have to make games directly based on some proprietary movie or game or whatever? And people complain about commercial game developers not having any imagination... I mean, sure you can't invent a game which is completely original and not based on anything, but at least come up with your own story and setting. I know that's not easy, but actually developing a game isn't that easy either.
Sorry for the negativity, but this had to be said.

[hc]

Since this seems to be a working text-based game I can't hold back because it would be a pity:

Don't ever use pictures, art or whole texts by somebody else without written permission/license -
even a picture of a muffin can cost you some hundred (dollar/euro/pound).

Trademarks are sometimes whole phrases. If you don't use the hole phrase you're a *little* bit safer.
For example "Matrix" instead of "The Matrix" (btw the word "matrix" itself was well known before the movie).
Or even better remove and add words: "Another Matrix"
"Matrix Unplugged" seems fine, too. Just don't add "The"

But a trademark possibly doesn't directly apply to *totally* different kind of products (like "the matrix soap", soap as in washing).

Otherwise non-Product-Names are usually not protected and Ideas can't be protected (invalid patents excluded).

And in some countries there is a "design registration": Patterns and colors that can be protected (=> hot topic: cell phone design).

So: Just don't say the words and change your facelift. Just some small changes and you are safer.
Having a "Matrix-Theme" itself possibly isn't a problem as long as you don't claim word by word that it is that very thing by that company.

[hc]

Anyway: Good luck and success.

[qubodup]

Hello, thanks for sharing.

Where is the code and what is it's license though?

[leilei]

Matrix deliberately excluding the "The" is snooty. How about The Depth Arrays?