The Matrix is the term the worldwide computer network is called in the Shadowrun setting. It was created, after the Crash of 2029 which destroyed the old internet, as a completely Virtual Reality, icon and graphics -based network, because this was the only way the sheer amount of data traffic could be handled. The entire Matrix is composed of various Host Systems. People interact with this Matrix by using cyberterminals or cyberdecks.
The Rise of Wireless
In 2064 Crash 2.0 happens destroying most of the wired Matrix grid around the world.
Transys Neuronet and Erika have been working on wireless Matrix technology since 2058 and has plans to start to implement it in 2064, until the crash occurred. Both companies were going to merge into Novatech but lost a lot of face for being a part of Crash 2.0, in an indirect manner. Novatech rebranded itself as NeoNET and began to license its wireless technology and protocols to create the new wireless Matrix.
The wireless Matrix was based off the concept of a mesh network. Where all devices are both a computer and a router. Data travels from device to device until it reaches its location. Because of the mesh nature of the wireless Matrix, the size and shape of the physical Matrix is always changing. The more devices in the area, the more effective bandwidth all those devices have making lag virtually a thing of the past.
The wireless Matrix also brought PANs (Personal Area Networks), a connection of wireless devices on a person that are all communicating to one another, AR (Augmented Reality) which allows virtual icons to overlay physical objects and locations called ARO (augmented reality objects; pronounced arrow), and a slew of script kiddy hackers.
The End to the Open Wireless
The Mega Corporations not enjoying how vulnerable their systems were with the new wireless Matrix; in 2075 had GOD begin rolling out a new wireless Matrix protocols that removed a lot of the vulnerabilities in the previous wireless Matrix implementation. The new wireless protocols were said to be unhackable. However a few shadowrunners were able to get hold of the specifications for the new cyberdeck technology that allows access to exploit and edit the new protocols and were able to release it into the shadow networks.
A few changes in the new Matrix was that to get on to the Matrix a user has to use a Matrix Service Provider's Grid. For low income users, there is still the free Public Grid which is much more unreliable and is said to be the "barrens" of the Matrix.
Each Grid now had a demiGOD, an agent of GOD whose sole purpose is to monitor illegal Matrix activity. All illegal activity will now flag a user with OS (Overwatch Score). Once a user's OS hits a certain threshold the demiGOD begins a process called convergence, which reboots a user's persona (dumping them from the Matrix) and reports their physical location to the grid's authorities.
Comments
- The Term "Matrix" in the Shadowrun pen and paper roleplaying game isn't related in any way to the Films "The Matrix", "The Matrix Reloaded", "The Matrix Revolutions", or "The Animatrix".
Index
- Shadowrun Fourth Edition
- Shadowrun Fifth Ediction
- Unwired
- Target Matrix
- Denver City of Shadows
- Matrix
- Virtual Reality 2.0
