The MMORPGs of E3

Guardian Unlimited has tossed up a new article that explores the MMORPGs that were showcased at this year's E3, including EverQuest II, Tabula Rasa, Star Wars Galaxies, The Matrix Online, and more. A snippet:
Cinema spin-offs, on the other hand, can be MMORPG winners. Last year's Star Wars Galaxies was the fastest-growing game in the genre. This year, The Matrix Online hopes it holds the magic pill.

Set immediately after the film series ends, players take roles in a cold war between man and machine as either flesh and blood or nuts and bolts. The combat alone, a groundbreaking mainstay throughout the film series, translates superbly to the digital domain, and the story's progression, littered with conspiracy and red herrings, should inspire team play and higher levels of thought. Sega will release the game later in the year.

Also causing a stir at the Expo, Tabula Rasa is completely new intellectual property that nicely blends elements of sci-fi and fantasy. The title is under development by the origina tor of the contemporary MMORPG, Richard "Lord British" Garriott, whose Ultima series continues to set the pace for online games.