The Matrix, the sci-fi film trilogy in which Keanu Reaves wears a trench coat and gets irritated with some machines, is making a comeback in cinemas later this month in Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix Resurrections, and it appears that there will be some kind of accompanying tie-in “experience” heading to PlayStation 5.
The Matrix Awakens was discovered listed in the PSN backend, as detailed by Reddit user the andshrew on the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit, where it was accompanied by an extremely minimal amount of useful information – primarily a couple of database entry numbers, an associated image, and word that it will be coming to PS5.
The prominent namecheck for Unreal Engine 5 would imply that The Matrix Awakens is some kind of collaboration between Unreal Engine developer Epic Games and Matrix distributor Warner Bros, intended to do some double duty on the old marketing front – getting the Matrix in people’s minds for Resurrections’ impending release while also giving punters a first presumably interactive look at Unreal Engine 5, which has otherwise yet to appear in a shipped game.
Epic, of course, recently released Kid A Mnesia Exhibition, a “fevered dream-space” and virtual art gallery produced in collaboration with Radiohead for PC and PlayStation 5 – albeit one made in Unreal Engine 4.
The Matrix Awakens is now available for download on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S ahead of its release later this week.
This 29GB download will get you ready for The Game Awards 2021, a marketing extravaganza hosted by Geoff Keighley on Friday. There, Neo and Trinity will emerge to demonstrate this Warner Bros. and Epic Games cooperation powered by Unreal Engine 5.
“Created by members of the original movie team including Lana Wachowski along with Epic Games and partners, The Matrix Awakens: An Unreal Engine 5 Experience is a wild ride into the reality-bending universe of The Matrix that features performances by Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss,” the game’s description states.
“Get ready for a glimpse into the future of interactive storytelling and entertainment with UE5 in this free, boundary-pushing cinematic and real-time tech demo.”
