How tall is the combine tower? [Archive]

Paintballer

01-02-2004, 04:27 AM

I think it has been theorised somewhere else that it may be a space elevator...

is the combine tower that black tower with like one side of it that goes up and down? Because if it is, then watch the dx9 video and you see the top of it when hes in the alley windtunnel thing. If thats not the right building, then i'm sorry :x

I have a feeling that I'm not sure which building is the combine tower, because i am usually wrong....

Cutey_Kaite

01-02-2004, 04:31 AM

The combine tower is a really cool and original idea
I really like it

Brian Damage

01-02-2004, 04:50 AM

Hey, if you deleted my post, moderator dudes, (which was just speculation), then you might as well delete <RJMC>s post too, as that amounts to more or less the same thing when you decipher it...

Jackal hit

01-02-2004, 05:31 AM

what did you say that they deleted...hehe ...i think it's twice as tall as the sears tower... (can you see the top in the dx9 vid?)
hmm i've been having this urge to download that vid again.

Paintballer

01-02-2004, 06:03 AM

what did you say that they deleted...hehe ...i think it's twice as tall as the sears tower... (can you see the top in the dx9 vid?)
hmm i've been having this urge to download that vid again.

I think this is the right building... correct?

http://www.rvsoftshield.com/screens/combine.gif

its on an angle cuz i didn't exactly time the video very well :p

FictiousWill

01-02-2004, 06:10 AM

0.2814 Miles exactly. Wind shear differential of 8 inches. Duh. :rolleyes:

Brian Damage

01-02-2004, 06:17 AM

Actually, since everyone seems to think (based on evidence of the vids, and all that) that the combine structures are growing... isn't this a bit like asking "How long is a piece of string?"...?

Sulkdodds

01-02-2004, 10:08 AM

How long is a piece of string?
As for the combine tower....well, big.

snark^

01-02-2004, 12:21 PM

Sometime last year there was the idea on these forums that it might be the base for a space elevator (earth -> geosynchronous satellite: think AC Clarke's Fountains of Paradise or Iain M. Banks's Feersum Enjin) which would be pretty cool -- it's gobbling up City 17 to produce the material needed to build the tower.

Eventually this might mean the last confrontation might take place aboard the station? Would be nice to see havok implemented in zero-g... bodies, blood and bullets floating everywhere.

The Dark Elf

01-02-2004, 01:37 PM

How long is a piece of string?

For me it never happens to be long enough for what I need

Oh and I'll undelete the mention of this space elevator thing.. but don't blame me if it does turn out to have been a spoiler from way back.

PvtRyan

01-02-2004, 02:15 PM

Brian Damage

01-02-2004, 02:43 PM

Thank you mods. Or mod, if it was just you, Fenric...

jimbones

02-02-2004, 11:58 AM

yeah if the combine structures are growing to whom does that tower belong to ? A giant lying down?

*tries to get his mind out of the gutter*
*fails*

Brian Damage

02-02-2004, 04:07 PM

Bad! Bad jimbones!

<Gets bucket of ice cold water>

snark^

03-02-2004, 04:22 PM

Get that mind out of the gutter... it's obscuring the view from my periscope.

Bleh, 5min after posting that my brayne clicks into gear. I suppose the whole space elevator thing is rendered moot by the location of City17 -- they pretty much have to be exactly on the equator for it to work (ie., not to tear itself to bits from the force induced by the direction of spin). So unless the alien invasion has done something drastic to the Earth's angle of rotation (assuming we're still on Earth anyway BTW) it's a no go.

Brian Damage

03-02-2004, 04:50 PM

... or VALVe forgot that bit... or the tower is made of force-nullifying alien technology...

-JeZ-

03-02-2004, 04:56 PM

... OR the satellite it's connected to is under thrust, and that thrust nullifies the stresses that would otherwise rip it to pieces.

jim, I don't mean THAT kind of thrust :P

DEATH eVADER

04-02-2004, 09:05 PM

I'm pretty sure there are two versions of the citadel.

1) what we saw in the E3 demo. Big, Black, Surreal, Moving parts, scary, etc.

2) what I saw in the teaser trailer. Curvy, Round, Reflective material, Silver (you get to see it whilst the player is in the city square)

Are they different buildings, or is the teaser trailer version just the early concept of the citadel

el Chi

05-02-2004, 04:07 AM

Why would it be an elevator or ladder? Wouldn't it be easier to teleport your forces around? A ladder might be more scenic, but it's not exactly practical.
Anyway, does it matter how tall it is? Surely what would matter more in the game is how far it's expanding out into the city...
And with all this talk of string I think that the tower's as long as a piece of string and is made of string and the Combine's motive for being there is the requisition of that precious resource, string (to build the tower even bigger, you see...) and in fact, the whole plotline is concerned exclusively with string. It's the only sensible explanation.

jimbones

05-02-2004, 10:41 AM

Maybe in that monolithic structure there is the black mesa complex and the whole thing was just a "movie set" and you were duped the whole first part..

Kadayi

06-02-2004, 08:48 PM

Didn't syndicate wars rip the space elevator idea off in one of their missions? (I just remember it was rock solid)

Sulkdodds

07-02-2004, 06:11 AM

does it matter how tall it is?

No, it doesn't really. Don't spoil it!

Or maybe the tower is actually housing for a giant tiberium missile...oh, wait.

LoneDeranger

07-02-2004, 07:20 PM

It can't be a space elevator because it's not nearly tall anough. A space elevator would have to at least 35,000 km high.

That means even is this tower is 200 stories (twice the height of the tallest building in the world!) it would still have to be around 35 times taller to work as a space elevator. Plus there's there's the whole equator issue that someone mentioned.

LittleB

07-02-2004, 10:56 PM

Yes, if it was a space elevator, it would just disappear into the sky like a fishing line seen from the bottom of a pond. And it wouldn't be a tower or building, it would be a cable.

Besides, just like el Chi said, they have teleportation! Why the hell would they need a space elevator? It takes weeks to get to space that way.

Daiceman9

08-02-2004, 01:25 AM

How do you know? maby you downloaded the beta and went into it and timed it, HA! caught you beta downloader!

Edcrab

08-02-2004, 01:38 AM

In the same way that movemistakes.com’s victims should be proud of being famous/infamous enough to attract hordes of finicky gits, Valve should be honoured to have a community prepared to break down anything for entertainment value :D

I wonder if the Combine tower adds to its size with every city block it consumes. The Citadel was easily one of the most impressive sights- can't wait for a) the Bink video of the strider (moving wall scene) and b) the actual game...

<RJMC>

08-02-2004, 02:40 AM

or if is just a big building
maybe inside is very compact and are the worshop of the striders and all the macanichal things of the combine
but everibody say that are walls moving(floating) taken all the city(I dont hav see that videos) maybe that building is in construction to get more tall to something up there(another planet,leader sapceship,the heaven?)but well like someones say are teletrasporters so maybe is not the answer

or is just a dammit big building

Edit: yeah up there say my location,yeah viva Venezuela y fuera chavez

Sprafa

08-02-2004, 11:28 AM

Besides, just like el Chi said, they have teleportation! Why the hell would they need a space elevator?

I don't think the Combine dominate Xen-teleportation.
Th G-man and the Race X are the only ones we saw dominating it, using it every time they want to into pre-chosen locations.
The Xenians were only teleported by accident or something....

I doubt that the Combine have teleportation domination tech.

LittleB

09-02-2004, 07:17 PM

Yes but a space elevator is waaay too expensive (trillions of dollars), so why not devote all that energy to teleportation tech?

mrchimp

09-02-2004, 07:32 PM

I don't think the combine have to worry about money lol

Personally I can't think of a good reason why they would want a space elevator, although i can't think of a reason why they would want a really big tower either.

Sulkdodds

09-02-2004, 07:41 PM

So they can spit on passers-by?

mrchimp

09-02-2004, 09:17 PM

That must be it

G-Dub

10-02-2004, 10:09 PM

lol, definate reason

Stigmata

10-02-2004, 11:14 PM

I don't think the Combine dominate Xen-teleportation.
Th G-man and the Race X are the only ones we saw dominating it, using it every time they want to into pre-chosen locations.
The Xenians were only teleported by accident or something....

I doubt that the Combine have teleportation domination tech.But it's an almost 100%-assured fact that the Combine are a much more advanced race (or combination of races, hence the name?) than humans are. And in the story of Half-Life, we learn that that we had managed to harness the Xen teleportation technology, so a more advanced race such as the Combine would most likely have much more experience and expertise in using the tech.

nicrd

11-02-2004, 01:55 AM

maybe the tower fell from the sky and is digging, trying to access the earths core in order to destroy our planet or mining to get a special mineral essential to the teleportation process. Anyway, im sure gordon will go in it before the end of the game.

Stigmata

11-02-2004, 03:25 AM

Anyway, im sure gordon will go in it before the end of the game.I'm not so sure. We already know that HL3 will be in the works after HL2 and its expansions' release, and HL2 is going to have another cliffhanger ending... You can probably see where I'm going with this.

Anable

12-02-2004, 05:58 AM

I hope HL doesn't go the way fo the "Wheel of Time" series where it starts off all awesome but then by book 10 you wonder if maybe Robert Jordan forgot where he was going with this...

Sulkdodds

12-02-2004, 08:54 AM

Too true. Still, at least there's multiplayer.
Anyway. Combine tower. I knwo nothing, but suffice to say you'll probably see it in HL2. It could be an inter-dimensional landmark, being in the same place in a load of different dimensions.

Brian Damage

12-02-2004, 10:45 AM

That's an interesting idea... Reminds me of the Dark Crystal...

AzzMan

12-02-2004, 03:05 PM

hmmm i like that idea. would make sense if they were trying to take over other dimensions as well. why go through the trouble of creating a bunch of bases when you could just build one that can be in many places at once? that way if they discover a new dimension they could have it there with their troops all ready instead of having to build everything up from scratch

Too true. Still, at least there's multiplayer.
Anyway. Combine tower. I knwo nothing, but suffice to say you'll probably see it in HL2. It could be an inter-dimensional landmark, being in the same place in a load of different dimensions.

DEATH eVADER

15-02-2004, 11:47 PM

DEATH eVADER

15-02-2004, 11:54 PM

Maybe what we all see is a giant tower of some sort, but what if it is something different. maybe it is some sort of drill, leeching the earth of all its precious material. every time it gets deeper, it has to eat the surrounding city to make some sort of extension to the drill. eventually, a massive FKN nuke is sent down there and destroys the whole earth.....

He, He, He, He,He,He,He,Ha,He,Ha,He,Ha,He,Ha,He,Ha,He,cough.....cough,cough,Ha,He,Ha,He......

Foxtrot

18-02-2004, 10:00 PM

I know the answer...but it is probably a spoiler.

DEATH eVADER

18-02-2004, 11:00 PM

I know I shouldn't encourage spoilers, but we should all be relieved that spoilers are only myth and folklore, and are not 100% accurate, such as Bigfoot, Mermaids and leprechauns (Cute little critters, much like Yoda)

Spoiler!, Spoiler!, Spoiler!

Foxtrot

18-02-2004, 11:43 PM

**********SPOILER***************

HERE IT COMES!!!!

You never go into the tower, it is only apart of the background.

<RJMC>

19-02-2004, 03:11 AM

you never go into the tower?
but one thing is in a webpage(about HL2 of course)apear a image called "inside combine forrtres"and look like a big machinery like a big engine,if that is not inside the tower so..
where is
and in this page are pictures like that

Foxtrot

19-02-2004, 03:52 AM

Can you find the picture and post it?

Brian Damage

19-02-2004, 10:06 AM

There's a place for spoilers, now...

Foxtrot

19-02-2004, 01:25 PM

I don't want the story to be spoiled for me :P

<RJMC>

19-02-2004, 06:57 PM

I dont spoiling
I found that in a web page and I dont know what is that

I can post the image?
if someone of the satff of this site give me the chance I will do it

and whats is the section of the spoilers?

Brian Damage

19-02-2004, 07:04 PM

I didn't say the image was a spoiler.

The spoilers section is the one with the spoiler warning...

DEATH eVADER

19-02-2004, 09:46 PM

I've seen a peice of concept art, which looks like its inside the citadel (but I wasn't sure). I'm pretty sure concept art on this web site might have pictures from inside the core.

dæmon

20-02-2004, 07:04 PM

The attachment is a screenshot from the video showing off the Source engine in Direct X 9. The tower in the background must be the Combine, and gives an impression of how tall it is, as it is so far away.

If you don't want it spoiled for you, don't download the picture, but I'd recommend the video anyway if you are interested to see what Source is capable of. You can download it from here (http://www.fileplanet.com/files/130000/130227.shtml)

Sulkdodds

22-02-2004, 10:28 AM

Er...Foxtrot...how can you know that you never go into it? Assuming you know this from the stolen build, it isn't the entire game, surely?

Foxtrot

22-02-2004, 01:53 PM

Well I think they had all the levels listed, I was able to play the begining levels of the game some in the middle and a few at the end and none of them were in the tower. Also none of them have names that sound like it would be in the tower.

Zetahl2world

22-02-2004, 03:55 PM

Foxtrot

22-02-2004, 04:04 PM

Map pack???

Brian Damage

22-02-2004, 04:15 PM

I have read in certain places that the stolen build did seem to be missing levels.

I dunno. I certainly hope that we see inside the tower. However, I'd like to wait until I've bought and played the game before I find out...

Zetahl2world

22-02-2004, 04:25 PM

Map pack???

The released uncompiled map pack - contains 1000 world craft maps for hl2. However i strongly advise you not to download it - IT WILL RUIN THE GAME FOR YOU

ComradeBadger

22-02-2004, 04:49 PM

No details of the contents of the Stolen build. Ok?

Foxtrot

22-02-2004, 04:55 PM

Ok mrBader.

Vegeta897

22-02-2004, 05:28 PM

0.2814 Miles exactly. Wind shear differential of 8 inches. Duh. :rolleyes:

Hey, you must have played the beta...

He's right ya know... Our we allowed to state that?
Someone should know about this...

DEATH eVADER

22-02-2004, 08:01 PM

Shall we report this to Valve???

Just Kidding, got you sweating like an gorilla on a cold day, didn't we???

Vegeta897

22-02-2004, 10:22 PM

Who got sweating? *Sniff Sniff* I didn't.
And this thread is getting pointless, if I may quote, "There's nothing more maddening than empty speculation."

Sulkdodds

24-02-2004, 05:57 PM

Badgers ate my prize pumpkin. That was far more maddening.

But...1000 maps? What the hell?
Thats a lot of maps.......

Xenome

24-02-2004, 07:23 PM

maybe he was just saying, in his way, that there are alot..?
( not 1000 i think LOL)

DEATH eVADER

24-02-2004, 07:39 PM

And this thread is getting pointless, if I may quote, "There's nothing more maddening than empty speculation."

Okay, Okay, lets look at the facts.

1) The Citadel is metallic in nature

2) If looked at more closely, it has extruding metal beams (Theres a piece of concept art somewhere, which shows this to be cables, ladders, antennae, etc.)

3) Its at the "centre of the Alien Combine. The Combine is a force that is slowly eating its way through the rest of city17".

4) The concept art of inside the citadel. One of which looks like a core, with a haze of orange and red coming from beneath it.

5) Midway up the citadel, there seems to be a moving column that moves on the vertical axis.

6) In PC Gamer, its said 'While we have been shown artwork of new teleportation chambers and told that there will be off world locations, Valve's Gabe Newell assures us that these visits "wouldn't be so jarring" or involve so many obvious puzzle and platform elements as Xen did before.

Looking at the above, I'm going to guess that the Combine Citadel is some sort of transporter node to there world, and that the Combine do not come from Xen, but a totally different world.

Imrahil

24-02-2004, 07:47 PM

Gabe said that it's taking over City 17. If you look at the E3 video, you see it spreading out from its base. So soon City 17 will be taken over by this Combine fortress.

Imrahil

DEATH eVADER

24-02-2004, 07:51 PM

Gabe said that it's taking over City 17. If you look at the E3 video, you see it spreading out from its base. So soon City 17 will be taken over by this Combine fortress.

Imrahil

He said that its eating away city17, yes, but we don't know whats on the other side of that massive wall that seems to be eating the city, inside the perimeter, its probably nicer buildings, or cleaner buildings

Zetahl2world

24-02-2004, 11:14 PM

maybe he was just saying, in his way, that there are alot..?
( not 1000 i think LOL)

1240 to be precise :E

dæmon

24-02-2004, 11:35 PM

4) The concept art of inside the citadel. One of which looks like a core, with a haze of orange and red coming from beneath it.

5) Midway up the citadel, there seems to be a moving column that moves on the vertical axis.

I just had the crazy idea that the vertical column is a massive piston to power the core. In one of the videos, you see the large column apparently being pulled up by a coil like wire, and another, thinner column moving downwards as it does so. :x

DEATH eVADER

25-02-2004, 12:07 AM

Pendulum POWER!!! Mwa HA HA

Pauly

25-02-2004, 12:34 AM

hope that no one crashes that combine helicopter alien gun flying thing into the combine tower
it might fall down..

DEATH eVADER

25-02-2004, 06:58 PM

That would just be so cliche' or deja vu

Saiboat

25-02-2004, 07:27 PM

ah forget it...found a nice illegal site..rofl so funny what they do there xD

Fuzzy-_-Muff

03-03-2004, 06:11 AM

someone said earlier that valve should be proud to have a community that will speculate over every minor detail. The problem is that it isnt just minor speculation anymore with more and more people playing the dodgy leaked build. All i can say is, for those of you who caved and played the leaked build, you have ruined a fair bit of the mystery for yourselves, try not to wreck it for others.