Alternate Matrix Conversions

Several people want to get abilities they coin Matrix Abilities, and, of course, the characters in the movie. Of course, someone can GM themselves into a corner, because Matrix abilities come from the fact that the "world" is actually a computer program. Which means that you can "debug" the Agents out of existence, and that Agents pixelate, and... basically, all sorts of nasty stuff, right?

The fallacy of this approach is that it takes the movie literally. The Matrix is inherently an attempt to market Eastern philosopy to dumb Western audiences (sorry for the editorial comment). Neo is inherently a Messiah, someone who has realized that reality is an illusion. He offers others a way out of this illusion, having first been taught by a man who began the process (Morpheus.) Read Siddhartha and you'll see the same process. Eastern philosophy teaches us that the world is an illusion. Similarly, Kant and Schopenhauer concluded that given the limitations of our sensory and neurological apparatuses, we can only have a limited view of the world. Neo is the "Buddha" of this world rejection philosophy, this concept that nothing is real.

So, how does it convert into RPG lingo? Simple. The Agents and the Matrix Warriors have, for their own reasons, discovered that the world is an illusion, and by suspending disbelief in a trained way, they can exert supernatural/paranormal powers. Sages in real life who have suspended belief can walk on coals and perform other superhuman feats. This takes it a step farther. Now, in the continuity of the Matrix, the Agents are the ones who are trying to enforce the illusion. In the world of Final Battle and RPG Project, however, the Agents function as a legal apparatus of the government. Their way to enlightenment and power is no superior to anyone else's. Thus, this means that the Agents and the Matrix Warriors can teach their abilities! It is merely a taught way to suspend belief, although certain people have the penchant better than others. Faith is an essential part of the training.

Then how do you explain the Agent's abilities to take over others? Simple. In real life, several ascetics learn powerful hypnotic techniques to dominate someone else's will. The Agents have merely taken it a step further to a level akin to supernatural possession. When necessary, they may inhabit a body of the "unenlightened", i.e. non-supermen.

Of course, for those RPGs that are a little less serious, interpreting it in the literal format can be a blast. But, if you don't want problems with the "computer program" framework, remember this article.