XBOX GETS MATRIX EXCLUSIVE
May 1, 2001

In its annual 10-K/A form, Interplay unveiled that Xbox has the exclusive (for at least 6 months) rights to The Matrix for a $5 million upfront payment by Microsoft through a loan of sorts (and a very timely one at that). Interplay will spend $500,000 on developing new features exclusive to the Xbox version. Of these, perhaps the most important is online capabilities, which will not be included in any other version.

Other additions to the Xbox game that differentiate it from other versions will be:

1. Extra characters
2. Extra gameplay
3. More dialog (including dialog with Hollywood actors)
4. More special stunt moves using Woo Ping choreography
5. More vehicles in driving section
6. Better speech AI
7. More motion capture for emotions
8. New weapons/extra pyrotechnics
9. Extra soundtracks from the movie composer
10. More hidden video (maybe even the original movie?)

According to the agreement, Interplay "shall not release in any Territory any interactive entertainment software product based on or related to Matrix and/or 'The Matrix' or 'Matrix 2' motion pictures (or further sequels to or derivative works thereof) as for any platform now known or hereafter developed, unless such product is an add-on or sequel to Matrix for the Xbox platform and approved pursuant to the terms of the Publisher Agreement."

At the latest, the game will be released within 3 months of The Matrix 2, which is tentatively set for Christmas, 2002. Considering that The Matrix 3 is set for about half a year after that, this should be excellent timing.