Yes, it's true, or so it would seem: Morpheus is dead. On Data Node One today, the full story is posted. Here's a snippet:

Predictably, there quickly followed a ferocious effort to stop him. The Assassin appeared in the Matrix, sent by... someone... to kill Morpheus. The Assassin finally caught up with Morpheus in a waste water treatment plant - which is significant.

Patch 7.3811 went live today, and the details are posted on Data Node One.

As promised, MxOS' own GreyPawn and AgentBoyer sat down with MxO producer Troy Skinner and designers Erik Krebs and Bruce Harlick for an in-depth interview. We cover everything from live events to coming features and much, much more in this 3,000 word extravaganza (our longest developer interview to date)! Check it out right now - there is a great deal of excellent information!

In a very busy news day, Walrus has posted his latest Other Side of the Looking Glass community newsletter. Walrus discusses bugs, stability issues, the meaning of balance, QA Test, and... wait for it... the first new discipline in the game.

That's right, Zen Master is available on the QA Test world. This branch off Martial Arts Initiate combines Akido with self-healing abilities, and is the first of three new Disciplines planned for the game (one each for Operative, Hacker and Coder).

Up on Data Node One, there's a lot to read about the Hunt for Morpheus event that's currently underway:

• Tyndall has given several speeches/broadcasts to Zion loyalists. Zionites are ordered to apprehend Morpheus, as he is a danger to everyone.
• Meanwhile, Machinists are told to avoid Morpheus, and that his apprehension is imminent. Morpheus is no longer protected by the truce, and in fact, his actions jeapordize the arrangement.
• Even the Exiles are telling their Organization that Morpheus should be killed. They also call upon all Exiles to help defuse Morpheus' code bombs wherever they might be found.
• General updates and breaking news are posted on Data Node One, updated daily as the event progresses.

Another new version of The Sentinel is available for review. Is Morpheus the new Elvis? Or is he an on again, off again frequent flier at the local looney bin? And, Megacity rolls out its own color-coded alert system. Are we at Red (Definite) or the even more fearsome Purple (Huge)?

We also suggest reading the first and third articles on the left sidebar of Page 2. Is there a power crisis looming?

Finally, there are hidden messages for Machinists and Zionites alike embedded. The Hunt is on!

For some time now here at Stratics, we've been aware that Monolith has been working on a super-secret, ultra-cool project. Despite our best attempts at prying and begging, we haven't been able to get any information on this.

Until now, that is. It turns out that Monolith is producing a launch title for the next-generation Microsoft Xbox 360: Condemned: Criminal Origins.

In more pertinent Matrix-related news, Atari's Matrix: Path of Neo (being developed by Shiny Entertainment, who also developed Enter the Matrix) is being shown on the floor, and it looks pretty good! The game will encompass all three films, plus the expanded fiction (meaning Matrix Comics and the like).

Our own GreyPawn and AgentBoyer are at the show, and they've had a chance to sit down with the MxO developers. Stay tuned for their interview!

In today's Other Side of the Looking Glass, Walrus drops some bombs. He details some things coming in the next patch, and... wait for it... the nerf bat swingeth, again. This time, caps are being introduced for maximum movement speed (no more than 160% total). Additionally, many Hacker tree abilities are being capped off in power. This is highly recommended reading for all who play MxO.

There are widespread discussions within the community about the ability to transfer characters from one server to another right now. Reports are that transfers will go live on Monday, May 16th. People asking about character transfers are receiving the following form letter from the GMs:

This will go into effect on Monday, May 16th. Players will be able to transfer a character 1 time. Players on a PvE server can only go to a PvE server. Players on a PvP server can go to any server. A player can't have a character already on the destination server. The character will keep experience, inventory, and reputation. However, they will start over in the mission lists and will be removed from any faction/crew (since the crew may not exist on the destination server).

Thinking about picking up The Matrix Online, but a little short on cash? No worries. You can now order MxO from GameStop for only $29.99. EB Games is also selling MxO for the same price. At these prices, why wait?

Matrix Online Vault held a chat with MxO staffers Aether (live events lead) and Walrus (community lead) on Friday night. Click here to read a transcript of the event!

The latest newsletter has gone out, detailing The Matrix Online Friends and Family Trial Program:

On Thursday, May 12th all current subscribers to The Matrix Online will be e-mailed 3 trial keys and a game client download link. Each of these keys will allow a non-subscriber guest to sign-up and play the game during this live event.

After a considerable period of quiet, a bunch of items has gone up on Data Node One today:

• An overview of the next patch (due out today, May 5).
• Aether posted a new Community Uplink. In it, he talks about the coming Hunt for Morpheus live events, and some steps being taken to make future live events run more smoothly.
• Also, The Hunt for Morpheus has been rescheduled to begin on May 20. The event will span 10 days. We've also heard internally from Warner that this event will be bigger and badder than anything witnessed to date. Get ready!
• A new in-game feature called The Metro World Atlas is coming! The Atlas will show detailed information on the game's neighborhoods, including text descriptions, threat levels, and some points of interest.
• A few items are in testing for the next patch.