Combine interface
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| Combine interface | |
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| General information | |
| Faction | |
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Computer/interface system |
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The Combine interface,[1] also known as the Combine Mainframe Access Command Module,[2] or simply computer terminal,[3] is the typical Combine computer, made of several monitors and one to several consoles. Notably, these interfaces are featured throughout City 17, Nova Prospekt, the Citadel or any Combine-occupied area. They are used to control many aspects of Combine technology.
Contents
Overview[edit]
Half-Life 2 and Episodes[edit]
Interfaces found in City 17 are often used to open and close gates or locks, as seen during the uprising. Interfaces can also manage Force Fields along with standard buttons, such as Bridge Point's Force Fields located on the bridge, referred to in this context as "Bridge Access Field". In this case, the interface's monitor, which is blue, shows if the Force Field is active. When deactivated, it blinks from blue to red.
They may also be used for communication, as seen when Barney Calhoun contacts Isaac Kleiner from the City 17 Trainstation, when Dr. Mossman contacts Wallace Breen from Nova Prospekt, or when Breen contacts a Combine Advisor from the Citadel. The conversation partner will typically be displayed on the central monitor (such as Kleiner with Barney) or through larger "holomonitors" (such as Combine Advisors).
In Nova Prospekt, the majority of command panels found are used to work the systems around the facility – such as gaining access to surveillance cameras or transporting prisoner pods. They are also used to work the teleport that Mossman helped build for the Combine. An interface is also used to operate a camera in the Victory Mine, allowing one to spot the Muscle Car at the end of the bridge.
The command panels in the Citadel are only seen conveying Breencasts, while they probably possess other functions as well. While the Gravity Gun has no effect on panels, the Citadel is the only area in which they can be torn from their support when the gun turns into its Dark Energy-powered version.
Interfaces often control other devices through Combine power generators that often need to be disabled by the player to proceed.
Ordinarily, command panels can only be operated by Combine personnel. However, Alyx can use her Multi-tool to hijack them, like the Combine locks. Barney has a limited Civil Protection clearance, which allows him to operate some, but not all of the panels.
When an interface is idle, its monitors are blue. In alert mode, they will turn red.
An interface also controls the life support system of the Barn Advisor found in the Outlands.
Half-Life: Alyx[edit]
In Half-Life: Alyx, Combine interfaces use living Xen[4] creatures called Memory Worms stored in large circular containers called Memory Tanks. The Memory Worms themselves have sucker-like mouths filled with human-like teeth and appear to still be continuing to grow inside their tanks, some swelling up and squeezing against the glass. In some cases, it appears that rats have been partially absorbed into the Worms. The creatures react with agitation when powered up, although they can do little other than squirm inside their tanks. Similar biomechanical technology is seen with the datapod device Eli uses to gain information on the Vault, which instead uses a Memory Brain. It is unknown if this system is still used in the future Combine interfaces during the events of Half-Life 2 and its Episodes.
Trivia[edit]
The screen on the Combine interfaces in Half-Life: Alyx contains legible text which reads "THIS IS PHOTOSHOP'S VERSION OF LOREM IPSUM" followed by additional automatically generated text.
Gallery[edit]
Models[edit]
Console variant 1.
Console variant 2.
Console variant 3.
Monitor variant 1, used with a single console.
Monitor variant 3, used with a single console. Variant 2 does not exist.
Monitor bay variant, used with several consoles.
Monitor wall support.
Large console from Breen's office.
Console controlling the Combine Prisoner Pods in Breen's office.
Textures[edit]
Combine logo found on some of the consoles.
Placeholder monitor texture featuring Wallace Breen, used in Nova Prospekt.
Second frame, unused.
Third frame, unused.
Temporary monitor texture featuring a circuit board and a chart of the human skeletal system.
Temporary monitor texture featuring Eli.
Temporary monitor texture featuring Alyx and Gordon.
Temporary monitor texture featuring Mossman and Gordon.
Temporary monitor texture featuring Mossman.
Half-Life 2[edit]
Interface on the Nova Prospekt platforms at the City 17 Trainstation.
A Combine interface in an apartment building.
Ditto, in a Combine control room.
Combine interface in Barney's interrogation room.
Barney and Kleiner discussing Gordon's situation.
Interface at Breen's office during Gordon's first day.
Breen addressing Gordon through an interface monitor in the APC garage.
Metro Cop launching Manhacks through an interface.
The interface controlling the Force Field located on the Bridge Point bridge, showing the field is active.
After killing the guards and deactivating the Force Field protecting the interface and blocking the bridge.
Interfaces monitoring a stripped Combine Soldier at Nova Prospekt.
Alyx trapping Mossman through an interface at Nova Prospekt.
Alyx and Mossman near a large interface at Nova Prospekt.
Alyx working on the large interface.
Combine interface at the prison.
Alyx listening to Mossman speak with Dr. Breen.
Combine interfaces in a Combine security room.
Alyx operating a Combine interface during the City 17 uprising.
Barney using an interface in the Overwatch Nexus.
Power generator interface in the Overwatch Nexus.
Breen addressing Gordon through interfaces.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
The same monitor after the end of the broadcast.
The same monitor a few seconds later, idle.
Breen bargaining with an Advisor broadcast through a holoscreen at an interface located on top of the Citadel's Dark Fusion Reactor.
The same interface after Alyx has revealed the reactor.
Half-Life 2: Episode One[edit]
Breen's face on an Interface during the Episode One introduction.
An interface in the Citadel after having its screen torn from its support with the Gravity Gun.
An interface being operated by a Stalker.
Variant without the monitor.
Breen's recording appearing when Alyx tries to operate the interface.
Ditto.
Advisor broadcast through a holoscreen at an interface located at the Citadel Core.
Interfaces in alert mode.
The same interfaces after being torn from their support.
Half-Life 2: Episode Two[edit]
The Muscle Car as seen on the Victory Mine interface's monitor.
Inside the Barn Advisor's barn, with its life support system's interface and covered generator.
The interface controlling the Barn Advisor's life support system burning during its attack.
Half-Life 2: Deathmatch[edit]
Interface in the map Underpass.
Interface in the map Run Off.
Half-Life: Alyx[edit]
A Memory Worm in a Combine Memory Tank.
Ditto.
Ditto, with a rat partially absorbed into the Worm.
Ditto.
A Combine interface near the Quarantine Zone hatch.
Inside the control room of Fairview Junction.
Close view of the control panel.
Vortigaunt Prisoner Pod generators and dedicated Combine interface at the Holden Company Processing Plant.
Ditto.
Multiple interfaces with a console.
Combine monitors behind a Fabricator in the Tanker Yard.
Alyx seeing Combine soldiers approaching through a Combine monitor.
List of appearances[edit]
Main games[edit]
- Half-Life 2 (First appearance)
- Half-Life 2: Episode One
- Half-Life 2: Episode Two
- Half-Life: Alyx
Other[edit]
- Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar
- Half-Life 2: Deathmatch (Non-canonical appearance)
- Source Particle Benchmark (Game files only) (Non-canonical appearance)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Model names
- ↑ As seen on the small screens of console models 1 and 3
- ↑ Half-Life 2 Prima Guide
- ↑ Half-Life: Alyx game files,
xen_memory_worm_base_lp.vsnd
