In What kind of program is the Merovingian?, we learn that the Merovingian was likely a kind of operating system, and was the Oracle's predecessor for at least one of the previous versions of the Matrix.
My question is, do we know exactly which of the previous versions he was in control of?
- The Paradise Matrix only?
- The Nightmare Matrix only?
- Both of the above?
Unless it's the last option, who was in control when he wasn't (before the Oracle in the current version)? I doubt that it's the Archetect because he only designs and creates them, he doesn't serve the same purpose as the Merovingian did, so then, who was it?
Null's answer from the above Q&A says:
The Merovingian controls many powerful exile programs from the Matrix betas. He controls fallen angel (demon) programs from the Paradise Matrix (these are the programs that can defy gravity in Club Hel) and a variety of programs from the Nightmare Matrix (vampires, werewolves, ghosts, etc.). These programs were exiled along with the Merovingian once the Oracle took over, which explains why they work for the Merovingian -- they used to work for him before they became exiles.
and the Matrix wiki page on him says this:
A connection between the Merovingian and the second failed Matrix may exist.
It has been confirmed [has it?] that the Merovingian's purpose prior to exile was the Operating System ... for an earlier version of the Matrix, the second of the two Matrix betas.
This would all imply that he's at least very likely in control of the Nightmare Matrix at least (and the pages on the Nightmare Matrix and Matrix betas seem to back this up), but then the Paradise Matrix page says:
As one of the oldest programs, it is thought that The Merovingian may have been part of the Paradise Matrix, though his original purpose is not known.
So it seems as though my second option is most likely, but there's enough ambiguity around this that it is not clear. I doubt it has been explicitly said, but is there any way for us to know which beta versions the Merovingian was in control of, and if not both, then who was in control of the one he wasn't in control of?