Matrix 2.0, good or bad, Deckers vs Hackers aside Options

[Lilt]

There's a fair bit of discussion about the loss of 'decks' and, theoretically, decking.

What I've not really seen is a discussion of what the new matrix 2.0 would be like, and wether or not it's a good idea.

As they say it's going to be an augmented reality, is remote access still possible with it? (the overwatch decker) If not, to encourage on-site decking, is that a good thing or is it a bit unrealistic in what's supposed to be primarily a telecommunications network.

Is it going to be possible to project one's senses in a similar manner to astral projection? Are there matrix-free zones and similar, or does everywhere have at-least satelite backup?

Who has access to the Matrix 2.0? Is it anyone with a jack or does it still require some form of extra hardware like a deck (or the cyber equivalent).

I once ran a game with something similar. It went rather well and, although I didn't intentionally make it as an alternative to the matrix, had a system which possibly bore a resemblance to The Matrix 2.0.

[ Spoiler ]

The scenario was originally one I dreapt-up for a short-story which I never wrote. It was a post-apocalyptic scenario where humanity had been genetically altered such-that everyone had mini wireless biotech computers in their heads. This information had been lost, and this is so many generations down th eline that some people's computers 'evolved' such that they were able to hack the system (and were known as 'technomancers', yay me) but at great cost nutritionally (thus they tended to be weedy, go magic user stereotype!).

Somewhat intelligent, talking, animals also existed which had originally been engineered as pets. The original breed mostly died as they were made to be non-violent pets. Some half-breeds thrived, however, creating survivable animals who were playable albeit a bit thick.

Everybody (except those with malfunctioning units, who will forever be known as mundanes) had access to basic commands (lights, food, doors), and everybody could see basic icons in the world (with the aforementioned 'mundane' exception). Sometimes even blind people could see icons, even though they couldn't see the real world they augmented.

Technomancers ferreted-out hidden icons, and manipulated icons to do what they wished. I didn;t rip-off projection, but there were ICE attached to certain icons.

I only ever ran it once as a one-off (and systemless) as this was largely supposed to test the technomancer idea. They had a couple with them manipulating cameras and disabling security systems so that they could get into a top-secret area.