Warner Brothers Interactive and America Online have cut a deal to integrate AOL's famous Instant Messenger into The Matrix Online, the two companies announced today.
When the game arrives later this year, players will be able to connect their MMO character's identity to an already-established AIM screen name (or create a screen name along with their game character, if they don't already have one). Players can then communicate with each other in or out of the game using the AIM client, and tell which of their friends or in-game compatriots is online at any given time.
For committed role-players, communicating from inside the game with a player outside the game maintains the in-game identity, so you don't have to break character while summoning someone else to your aid.
Microsoft plans to add similar features to Xbox Live later this year, employing its own MSN Messenger communication client.
News source: 1up
