Matrix Online Closing In July After Four Years

An online community lead with Sony Online Entertainment said this week that the MMORPG The Matrix Online will be shutting down on July 31, after about four years of operation. Matrix Online community lead Daniel Meyers wrote on the game's official forums: "Now we’ve seen how far the rabbit hole goes and it’s time to wake up from that dream (or go back to sleep, depending how you look at it). On July 31, 2009, we will be jacking out for the last time. It’s a bittersweet moment for everyone involved with the game; as a player or as a developer." He called the game's longevity a "good run," particularly in light of other MMORPGs that have launched and quickly shut down during the course of The Matrix Online's life. The Matrix Online launched in North America in March 2005, and was developed by Monolith. SOE picked up the rights to operate the title early in the game's life. SOE will now concentrate its efforts on the rest of its portfolio, including its stalwart EverQuest franchise, the free-to-play Free Realms, the upcoming spy game The Agency, among others.