Enter the Matrix
Game concurrent with The Matrix Reloaded, featuring original Wachowski footage.
Len Williams · CC BY-SA 2.0
Enter the Matrix is a 2003 action-adventure video game developed by Shiny Entertainment and published by Infogrames under the Atari brand name. It is the first game based on The Matrix film series, with a story concurrent with that of the film The Matrix Reloaded. The game features over an hour of original footage written and directed by the Wachowskis and starring the cast of the films, produced specifically for the game.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Shiny Entertainment
- Publisher
- InfogramesReleased under the Atari brand name
- Director
- The Wachowskis
- Producer
- Joel Silver / Rosanna Sun
- Composer
- Don Davis / Erik Lundborg
- Series
- The Matrix
- Platforms
- GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox
- Released
- May 15, 2003
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Enter the Matrix gives players control of two supporting characters from Reloaded and Revolutions: Ghost (Anthony Wong) and Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), members of the same rebel group as Morpheus, Trinity, and Neo. Niobe is captain of the Logos, the fastest ship in the rebel fleet; Ghost is her first mate, weapons expert, and a philosophical assassin. The game takes place at roughly the same time as the events in Reloaded. Players can choose either character, each with slight story variations, and engage in third-person combat, martial arts, and vehicle sequences. A bullet-time mechanic called 'Focus' slows time, and a hacking system allows unlocking special skills and a two-player versus mode.
Reader's Guide
Enter the Matrix was designed to be an integral part of the Matrix universe, alongside the 2003 animated film The Animatrix. It includes one hour of live-action 35mm film footage written and directed by the Wachowskis, with martial arts moves motion-captured from the films' actors and stunt doubles under fight choreographer Yuen Woo-ping. The game introduces Mary Alice as the Oracle, explaining her change of appearance due to an attack by the Merovingian, as Gloria Foster had died during production. Despite mixed critical reception, the game sold 5 million copies by May 2004. Its significance lies in expanding the Matrix narrative across media, providing backstory and parallel events to the films, and featuring original content from the filmmakers.
Did You Know?
- Mary Alice first appears as the Oracle in The Matrix Reloaded, replacing Gloria Foster, who died before filming her scenes for the sequels.
- The game sold 5 million copies as of May 2004.
- Players can activate 'Focus' (bullet time) to slow time and perform actions like shooting in midair.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Enter the Matrix?
Enter the Matrix is a 2003 action-adventure video game that serves as the first interactive title set within The Matrix film universe. It was built around a narrative running parallel to the events of The Matrix Reloaded.
Who developed and published Enter the Matrix?
Shiny Entertainment handled the development, while Infogrames took on publishing duties, distributing the title under the Atari brand name.
How does Enter the Matrix tie into The Matrix Reloaded?
The game's plot unfolds concurrently with The Matrix Reloaded, giving players a parallel set of events rather than a retelling of the film. The Wachowskis wrote and directed over an hour of brand-new cinematic footage starring the original cast specifically for this game.
Does Enter the Matrix include original movie footage?
Yes — the Wachowskis scripted and directed more than sixty minutes of entirely new footage featuring the film's cast, produced exclusively for the game rather than repurposed from any theatrical release.
How well did Enter the Matrix sell?
By May 2004, the title had shipped roughly five million copies worldwide, making it one of the stronger commercial performers in the Matrix franchise.
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