The Controllers; Nihilanth's...suport network?

[ríomhaire]

Dear Mr. Laidlaw,
I am a great fan of the Half-Life series and an avid follower of the
story.
I have paid great attention to the interviews and e-mails Valve
provides, especially those regarding the story.

There is one thing I have noticed in these though, details regarding the
'Controllers'. Their role in Vortigaunt-Nihilanth-Controller society is
a bit unclear (as is Nihilanth's) and there doesn't seem to be any
mention of them in Half-Life 2 other than the Vortigaunts few lines
regarding slavery.
Will they be explored any more in future games or are Vortigaunts all
that remains of Xenian society?

Thank you for your time,
A big fan,
[ríomhaire]

The Xen Controllers were part of the Nihilanth's support network, and
they relied on the Nihilanth to throw them around where it wanted them
to go, so if there are any left, they are probably stranded in what
would not have been their natural native environment (nothing's native
to Xen). However, without access to a steady food supply (whatever it
is they eat), they may well have simply died out.

Support network? WTF does that mean? So Nihilanth was in charge? Who was he slave to? Not the Combine, so who?
Does not compute

 

[A True Canadian]

I'll take a crack at it:

The Xen Controllers were part of the Nihilanth's support network, and
they relied on the Nihilanth to throw them around where it wanted them
to go,

The Controllers aid Nihilanth with portals.

so if there are any left, they are probably stranded in what
would not have been their natural native environment (nothing's native
to Xen).

Without Nihilanth, they are trapped on Xen.

However, without access to a steady food supply (whatever it
is they eat), they may well have simply died out.

Since the Controllers are immune to Earth-bound portals (only Nihilanth had the ability to send them places) they did not come over in the portal storms. And because most of the food teleported to Earth during the portal storms, the Controllers are extinct on Xen.

 

[Asknoone]

We are their slaves - I'm certain he was referring to the Combine. Interesting stuff mind, that puts to rest the Controller theory.

 

[mortiz]

Yes, I never thought the Controllers were using the Nihilanth, it just didn't make much sense given the Nihilanth's evident power. It seems that despite the Vortigaunts weakness in Half-Life 1 they were perhaps some of the more powerful creatures, since in HL2 they're capable of teleportation without the aid of the Nihilanth and are able to oppose the G-Man.

 

[ríomhaire]

How could it be a reference to the Combine Samon when they where running from the Combine?

Edit: Mortiz, wouldn't the Vortigaunt's strenght in HL2 prove that it's possible to control something like Nihilanth seeing as they where themselves, enslaved.

 

[mortiz]

How could it be a reference to the Combine Samon when they where running from the Combine?

Edit: Mortiz, wouldn't the Vortigaunt's strenght in HL2 prove that it's possible to control something like Nihilanth seeing as they where themselves, enslaved.

You can see that the Nihilanth has been altered. He has a large cut in his chest, shackles on his arms and what looks like Combine technology extruding from his butt. Notice his legs, they look like they've been amputated. Remind you of any other creatures? The Stalkers maybe? In my opinion the Nihilanth plus the other Xenians were captured and enslaved by the Combine for a time, but the Nihilanth using all its power was able to free itself and the other members of its world and flee to the border world. He says "We are their slaves" because they are slaves on the run.

Look at the base of the Nihilanth, you've got to admit, that looks very Combine. It doesn't match with any Xenian technology, which is all very organic. It's a complete contrast.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

I agree completly but those stiches in him are annoying me. The Combine arn't that sloppy, even on Stalkers. Hmmmmm...

BTW Roimhaire whats Laidlaw's email?

 

[A True Canadian]

Good picture. And yes, why does it look like the third arm has been stitched on?? Perhaps it's the technology that allows him to create the portals, or just a way for him to fly/float?

Also, why are Nihilanth and the Vortigaunts wearing shackles or cuffs on their arms, but the Controllers do not? Could the Controllers be the masterminds behind the slavery?

Blah, where's Angry Lawer and Mechagodzilla when you need them? Aside from Samon, I usually look to them for clarity on these things.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

Good picture. And yes, why does it look like the third arm has been stitched on?? Perhaps it's the technology that allows him to create the portals, or just a way for him to fly/float?

Also, why are Nihilanth and the Vortigaunts wearing shackles or cuffs on their arms, but the Controllers do not? Could the Controllers be the masterminds behind the slavery?

Blah, where's Angry Lawer and Mechagodzilla when you need them? Aside from Samon, I usually look to them for clarity on these things.

Same here, those three are like Half-Life gods. Wait, that Controller is wearing a pair of pants

 

[A True Canadian]

Same here, those three are like Half-Life gods. Wait, that Controller is wearing a pair of pants

I don't think those are pants but the Controller's skin (really low-res and blurry but the colours match the arms and head). He is wearing a stylish red codpiece though.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

It looks like a dangler. With a boner.

 

[mortiz]

Good picture. And yes, why does it look like the third arm has been stitched on??

Maybe it was removed when they opened him originally and then stiched back on? The controllers share many traits with the Nihilanth, such as their three arms and their enlarged head with it's ability to open up like a flower. The Nihilanth is just a bigger and more powerful version of the controllers.

 

[Asknoone]

How could it be a reference to the Combine Samon when they where running from the Combine?

Because they were obviously former slaves, and despite the fact that they are running, still are. It's just a term. "We are their slaves." Simply, they are Combine slaves. Like Laidlaw said, there was always a glimpse of a larger threat in HL, looming beyond Xen, beyond the Nihilanth and co - he's merely addressing it.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

Because they were obviously former slaves, and despite the fact that they are running, still are. It's just a term. "We are their slaves." Simply, they are Combine slaves. Like Laidlaw said, there was always a glimpse of a larger threat in HL, looming beyond Xen, beyond the Nihilanth and co - he's merely addressing it.

But...but...that would mean a Combine presence on Xen, which has been disproven...

 

[mortiz]

But...but...that would mean a Combine presence on Xen, which has been disproven...

No it wouldn't, the Nihilanth escaped to Xen, it went to Xen because that's where the Combine weren't and then sealed all of the Combine portals. When the Nihilanth says "We are their slaves" it's just a figure of speech, they're not literally being enslaved at that moment but they're on the run from the Combine, pretty much being kept at bay on Xen. They're fugatives from the Combine empire.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

Oh, thanks for clearing that up.
When I think about, they are the Combiens slaves really, as tehy're trapped on Xen.

 

[ríomhaire]

I was right then, the Combine were the greater master.

 

[AJ Rimmer]

I was right then, the Combine were the greater master.

I've been right all along! Yippie!!!!