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This topic has moved here: Subject: Halo 4 ~ my analysis of the Sphere and the role of the Didact.
  • Subject: Halo 4 ~ my analysis of the Sphere and the role of the Didact.
Subject: Halo 4 ~ my analysis of the Sphere and the role of the Didact.

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

So yesterday we caught our first sneak-peek at the incredibly sexy-looking Halo 4 and straight away when we saw this mysterious sphere we were thrown back into this ominous technological world of mystery.

In my opinion, the sphere is some kind of vehicle captained by a Forerunner inside - which could be supported by this image from Halo 3's Terminals. Back in the day, people speculated that this represented some kind of advanced combat skin used by the Forerunners as a defense mechanism. This may well be true, but I think that this could be quite similar in fuction to the sphere we see.

Them, when they first see the sphere appear, Cortana says "we know where he's heading" and John replies, "same place we are". So let's break this down.

1) Judging by the lack of surprise Cortana and John show, it's implied that they've already encountered "him" before that sequence of events.

2) The use of the word "him" imples some kind of identity associated with the sphere itself, reinforcing the idea that it's some kind of vehicle operated by someone.

3) This would now be at least twice that John has encountered and not been killed by "him".

4) The sphere scanned John and decided to leave him alone, implying it's friendly. It should also be noted that as soon as John sees the sphere and recognises it, he lowers his gun and just stares at it. Now if this was something new and that big, his most likely reaction would have been to either run like hell or start shooting at it, since he doesn't do this we can assert that the sphere is relatively apathetic towards his presence.

So who is piloting this sphere then? IMO, it could be the Didact - this brings me to my next point, the role he'll play in the game (if he is indeed present on Requiem).

I don't think that the Didact will be a villain, in fact I think that there's going to be several Forerunner factions. In this screenshot you can see what clearly looks like a shot discharged from the new Light Rifle heading in the direction of these almost friendly-looking Forerunners, now this may just be the player with a Light Rifle but I'm holding out on the possibility of there being several factions.

The line, "I have long dreamt of this day, Reclaimer" doesn't really carry any aggressive connotations to it in the way it's spoken, at least IMO. It sounds almost like relief being expressed to me.

And so, this would all slot together nicely if it is indeed the Didact piloting the sphere and not showing aggression towards John.

[Edited on 06.05.2012 10:25 AM PDT]

  • 06.05.2012 10:24 AM PDT

Posted by: ajw34307

I very much agree with what you have said. However, this whole scenario reminds me of what Truth and the Covenant/343 Guilty Spark were attempting to do. They needed the humans (in particular Master Chief) in order to achieve their objective which was not for the greater health of human kind.

[Edited on 06.05.2012 10:33 AM PDT]

  • 06.05.2012 10:33 AM PDT
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"This bandicoot will be my general, he will lead my Cortex Commandos to world domination...

This time, I shall reign TRIUMPHANT!"

-Dr. Cortex

I was just about to say "I think the player was shooting that rifle", but you could be right.

  • 06.05.2012 10:44 AM PDT

Haters are going to hate.
Praisers are going to praise.

The Bungie Forums are what keeps my mind sharp and my fingers active, between writing my own movie scripts, drawing, and studying industrial design. At the moment I'm working on miniatures for a short movie that I'll hopefully be able to film once I've saved up for a camera... That's me, with the mug, trying to have a conversation with Konoko.

Nice analysis, lots of logic. There is however something that I'm wondering, and that's why they'd choose to portray the Didact as something as anonymous as a sphere? He is after all one of the fictions most important characters. Is it perhaps to increase the suspense when he's finally revealed?

Also, this might be completely off, if my theory ends up getting thrown out the window; how do you think the Composer fits into the story after the events on the Halo in Primordium? ...

[Edited on 06.05.2012 12:29 PM PDT]

  • 06.05.2012 12:28 PM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.

That sounds like a very logical analysis to me. I agree with all that you said and I'm hoping that the sphere is indeed friendly and is controlled by the Didact. Having some Forerunner allies would be a nice touch.

  • 06.05.2012 12:35 PM PDT
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Do not waste your tears, I was not born to watch the world grow dim. Life is not measured in years, but by the deeds of men.

Posted by: goldhawk
We should know better, because we are better.

If the Didact is in the sphere, it could also mean there are more then one faction of Forerunners there who have the Prometheans under control. If Didact is friendly with the Chief, or at least impartial, why would he allow the Prometheans to attack him? Perhaps someone else is controlling the Prometheans.

  • 06.05.2012 12:46 PM PDT
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The sphere is a cryptum (go to artwork), though that doesn't destroy the speculation that the Didact was the one inside (though I'm not quite sure if cryptums can be automated in any way) and only reinforces it, since he seemed pretty upset about having to activate the Halo array and likely sent himself into exile after doing so.

  • 06.05.2012 12:52 PM PDT


Posted by: ajw34307
1) Judging by the lack of surprise Cortana and John show, it's implied that they've already encountered "him" before that sequence of events.

2) The use of the word "him" imples some kind of identity associated with the sphere itself, reinforcing the idea that it's some kind of vehicle operated by someone.

3) This would now be at least twice that John has encountered and not been killed by "him".

4) The sphere scanned John and decided to leave him alone, implying it's friendly. It should also be noted that as soon as John sees the sphere and recognises it, he lowers his gun and just stares at it. Now if this was something new and that big, his most likely reaction would have been to either run like hell or start shooting at it, since he doesn't do this we can assert that the sphere is relatively apathetic towards his presence.


An interview with Frankie implied that the level depicted in the demo was 1/3 into the game and is the first time the Chief comes into contact with the Prometheans , having been participating in skirmishes against the hostile Covenant faction in the earlier levels only .

  • 06.05.2012 12:55 PM PDT


Posted by: DorkLord54
The sphere is a cryptum (go to artwork), though that doesn't destroy the speculation that the Didact was the one inside (though I'm not quite sure if cryptums can be automated in any way) and only reinforces it, since he seemed pretty upset about having to activate the Halo array and likely sent himself into exile after doing so.


It couldve been Master Builder Faber inside . Just sayin

  • 06.05.2012 12:56 PM PDT

There is a Microsoft press page (look at the artwork tab) that has the image name as "Cryptum".

To date we only know of one Cryptum, the original Didact. Personally I'm already on board with that is the Didact (him) and his Cryptum.

It even appears friendly, as Cortana & Chief are relaxed about being scanned and once they see the sphere they already know who it is etc.

This also implies they have already had an encounter with "him" prior to the Infinity crashing event.

  • 06.05.2012 8:47 PM PDT

maybe the master builder locked him inside a cryptum and controls the red machines while the didact controls the blue ones ( btw i'm pretty sure blue and grey are the colors of a warrior-servant).

  • 06.06.2012 1:16 PM PDT

The insectoid-looking enemies we encounter, I am sure, are not the Forerunners themselves, as Cortana states: "Whatever it is, it's not organic" around the point where the enemy (the one who reveals his skull) is hiding behind his blue portable shield.

I believe they're AI/robots employed by the Forerunners. The Forerunners would rather not fight themselves since combatting the Flood, as organic beings are susceptible to infection and that's something they're especially wary of now.

Also, great observations with the Sphere at the beginning. You may also note the same sphere can be seen hovering above a mountain close to Infinity's crash-site.

[Edited on 06.06.2012 1:35 PM PDT]

  • 06.06.2012 1:34 PM PDT
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"Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." - James T Kirk

An ancient evil awakens.

(shows inverted Didact sign)

Honestly I think we may be on the other side of the wrath of him.

The quote at the end sounds cold and uncaring.


It seems detached, I think this is because he still thinks his wife is dead.

  • 06.06.2012 1:46 PM PDT

althuogh the voice itself sounded kind of evil his choice of words doesn't mean he is going to be an enemy.

  • 06.06.2012 1:50 PM PDT
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"Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." - James T Kirk


Posted by: Leaf Dragoon
althuogh the voice itself sounded kind of evil his choice of words doesn't mean he is going to be an enemy.


We all know he isn't a fan of humanity. I don't think he'd start a one man war unless he had too. He's a smart guy but right now I don't know if he's going to kill you or not.

  • 06.06.2012 1:53 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: Onomatopoeia

Posted by: Leaf Dragoon
althuogh the voice itself sounded kind of evil his choice of words doesn't mean he is going to be an enemy.


We all know he isn't a fan of humanity. I don't think he'd start a one man war unless he had too. He's a smart guy but right now I don't know if he's going to kill you or not.


But the Didact doesn't really HATE humanity either.

  • 06.06.2012 1:55 PM PDT
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"Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." - James T Kirk


Posted by: DecepticonCobra
Posted by: Onomatopoeia

Posted by: Leaf Dragoon
althuogh the voice itself sounded kind of evil his choice of words doesn't mean he is going to be an enemy.


We all know he isn't a fan of humanity. I don't think he'd start a one man war unless he had too. He's a smart guy but right now I don't know if he's going to kill you or not.


But the Didact doesn't really HATE humanity either.


I hope we don't have to fight. He'd be impossible to kill.

  • 06.06.2012 1:56 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: Onomatopoeia
I hope we don't have to fight. He'd be impossible to kill.


Fighting actual Promethean warriors would be impossible.

  • 06.06.2012 2:00 PM PDT

I ♥ Bungie!

Very interesting theory, You got me believing it, only time will tell.

  • 06.06.2012 2:11 PM PDT
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Reach beats GoW!
Reach beats CoD!!
Reach beats everything!!!

A very plausible theory for what it is and its contents. Also look at my theory... perhaps not the Didact who is controlling that AI and the occupant of the spherical cryptum?

  • 06.06.2012 2:20 PM PDT


Posted by: DecepticonCobra
Posted by: Onomatopoeia

Posted by: Leaf Dragoon
althuogh the voice itself sounded kind of evil his choice of words doesn't mean he is going to be an enemy.


We all know he isn't a fan of humanity. I don't think he'd start a one man war unless he had too. He's a smart guy but right now I don't know if he's going to kill you or not.


But the Didact doesn't really HATE humanity either.


He could hold resentment towards us for technically being why his wife is "dead", but I don't think that'd be worth going to war over. Especially since she's still alive, possibly as an AI. They could all be AIs now, actually.

Plus, fighting him would be impossible, as has been said. The Precursors have to show up at some point, if not in H4, then at least referenced so they don't just get interjected into the trilogy out of nowhere when they do show up. They're way too important to not be a key character; I'd argue they're pulling the strings on Requiem somehow.

  • 06.06.2012 5:37 PM PDT

Also I believe to "open" a Cryptum it takes a Reclaimer or a Promethean of the highest order.

So the Cryptum could be operating itself so as to open and restore it's occupant to full health, which takes days from what I understand.

  • 06.06.2012 7:03 PM PDT

Why are you here?

Can someone inform me exactly how tall a Promethean is, in feet? Would it not be somewhere around 13 feet?

  • 06.06.2012 7:23 PM PDT


Posted by: PISTOLSQUIRREL
Can someone inform me exactly how tall a Promethean is, in feet? Would it not be somewhere around 13 feet?


Around 4 metres .

  • 06.06.2012 7:39 PM PDT


Posted by: RangyPro1337

Posted by: PISTOLSQUIRREL
Can someone inform me exactly how tall a Promethean is, in feet? Would it not be somewhere around 13 feet?


Around 4 metres .

More or less 13 feet.

  • 06.07.2012 11:37 AM PDT