The virtual world is first introduced in "The Matrix". The short comic "Bits and Pieces of Information" and the "Animatrix" short film "The Second Renaissance" show how the initial conflict between mankind and machines came about, and how and why the Matrix was first developed. Its history and purpose are further explained in "The Matrix Reloaded". In "The Matrix Revolutions" a new status quo is established in the Matrix's place in mankind and machines' conflict. This was further explored in "The Matrix Online", a now defunct MMORPG.