A Theory (SPOILER WARNING)

[_ALuX_]

After completing the quest chain for the Vultaum Star Assembly, I came to the realization that the Vultaum did succeed in their goal to "escape" the simulation they thought they were living in to "embrace true existence."

The simulation in question is the game you are playing right now.

[_ALuX_]

In reation to the debate about the Cybrex and the Contingency: I personally don't belive they are one in the same. If I was to make a theory about it, we would need to figure out what exactly is a "Class-30 Singularity." The only thing I can think of that could be just that is the Shroud, something that only organics can access. Which leaves a few questions: what was the real reason for the creators to commit suicide? What really drives the contingency: is it really homicidal? Or is it just not fully understanding its full programming?

"Kill organics? Okay!"

While we are on the subject of endgame crisis has anyone noticed how the Unbidden seem to imply that they fear the Shroud? In the meantime who are these "Hunters" the Prethoryn keep going on about? A popular theory seems to be the Unbidden, but could it actually be the Shroud?

(Moment of realization)

ITS THE SHROUD HOLY BLORG!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=6fq_DRVlUHg

[Chastity the Celibate]

The game files refer to the Unbidden as the hunters and the Aberrant and Vehement are the “Chasers”.

[_ALuX_]

Originally posted by xnadu27:

The game files refer to the Unbidden as the hunters and the Aberrant and Vehement are the “Chasers”.

Oof. How very incriminating.

[Xobra]

What if the Cyberex were a Machine Empire that got hacked by the Contigency and forced to exterminate? They updated their Firewall somehow and broke free, trying to redeem thmeself/ seeing the Contigency as a great risk turning on them/ on their not liberated brothers.
Meanwhile the Fallen ME fought the Contigency too, at a great cost

[Markus Reese]

Originally posted by Fernando:

What if the Cyberex were a Machine Empire that got hacked by the Contigency and forced to exterminate? They updated their Firewall somehow and broke free, trying to redeem thmeself/ seeing the Contigency as a great risk turning on them/ on their not liberated brothers.
Meanwhile the Fallen ME fought the Contigency too, at a great cost

It is the one theory for them I like the most actually. There is a tragic irony that the great galactic protectors be immortalized in history as a great exterminator only due to the hacking of the contingency. Is why I like the last bit of story if it does generate in the map. Bit of redemption for them :-)

[Dialask]

Hmm, the only issues I have with the singularity being The Shroud (or The end of the Cycle) are that:

1: They aggressively go after machine empires. Determined Exterminators and Driven Assimilators should, if anything, be of logical assistance to the Contingency's aims, as they are also curtailing organic empire's abilities to access the shroud. No need to destroy them.

2: The term "singularity" is vague, but is mostly used in this sort of context (in modern parlance) as referring to the technolgical singularity when our technological capacity ends up creating an AI that causes our human civilization to experience unpredictable changes due to the exponential rate of technological advancement.

If anything I'd always assumed that it meant: A: a concern for the eventual and/or inevitable development of a determined exterminator style empire powerful enough to wipe out all life in the universe. Or B: A concern for technological development that eventually reaches a point that it starts threatening the fabric of reality, causing the universe to end.

B could simply be a reinterpretation of The Shroud, though.

[_ALuX_]

Originally posted by Dialask:

Hmm, the only issues I have with the singularity being The Shroud (or The end of the Cycle) are that:

1: They aggressively go after machine empires. Determined Exterminators and Driven Assimilators should, if anything, be of logical assistance to the Contingency's aims, as they are also curtailing organic empire's abilities to access the shroud. No need to destroy them.

2: The term "singularity" is vague, but is mostly used in this sort of context (in modern parlance) as referring to the technolgical singularity when our technological capacity ends up creating an AI that causes our human civilization to experience unpredictable changes due to the exponential rate of technological advancement.

If anything I'd always assumed that it meant: A: a concern for the eventual and/or inevitable development of a determined exterminator style empire powerful enough to wipe out all life in the universe. Or B: A concern for technological development that eventually reaches a point that it starts threatening the fabric of reality, causing the universe to end.

B could simply be a reinterpretation of The Shroud, though.

Good points.

[Markus Reese]

^^^ Theory threads are always the best threads for any game :D Good points agreed

[Xobra]

Wasn't a Type 30-Singularity described as an threat, that could end the universe? I mean, even the End-Of-Cycles is beatable, the "Hunters", if they are the Unbidden, can be beaten too, since their weakpoint are the portals (and their Kinetic weapons)
Whatever it is, it may be a piece of tech/ knowledge, that would not only work in 3 or 4 dimensional space, but 5, 6 or more. That level of "dimensional access" should be able to instantly wipe out a whole universe.
We may not perceive more then 3 dimensions, or fully understand it (yet) but maybe someday someone will.
We can research Tachyon weapons/radar; by definition, Tachyons are particles (truly) fast than light, which should be impossible.

Btw, didn't the Contigency start "prematurely" because they were "bored"?

[Chastity the Celibate]

Originally posted by Fernando:

Wasn't a Type 30-Singularity described as an thread, that could end the universe? I mean, even the End-Of-Cycles is beatable, the "Hunters", if they are the Unbidden, can be beaten too, since their weakpoint are the portals (and their Kinetic weapons)
Whatever it is, it may be a piece of tech/ knowledge, that would not only work in 3 or 4 dimensional space, but 5, 6 or more. That level of "dimensional access" should be able to instantly wipe out a whole universe.
We may not perceive more then 3 dimensions, or fully understand it (yet) but maybe someday someone will.
We can research Tachyon weapons/radar; by definition, Tachyons are particles (truly) fast than light, which should be impossible.

Btw, didn't the Contigency start "prematurely" because they were "bored"?

The End of the Cycle not supposed to be beatable, but it is. So technically lorewise it is unbeatable.

[Xobra]

If the lore isn't somewhere canon approved, we the community make it until Paradox says otherwise :P
But tbh, the End of cycle is slow. it still needs years to clean the universe, and if it can't leave the galaxy, then it shouldn't be a threat to the whole universe

[Chastity the Celibate]

Originally posted by Fernando:

If the lore isn't somewhere canon approved, we the community make it until Paradox says otherwise :P
But tbh, the End of cycle is slow. it still needs years to clean the universe, and if it can't leave the galaxy, then it shouldn't be a threat to the whole universe

Who says it can’t leave the galaxy?

[Xobra]

If it can, it will end up in a unbidden galaxy once. That should end the end ....(I miss a Kappa emote)

[Chastity the Celibate]

Originally posted by Fernando:

If it can, it will end up in a unbidden galaxy once. That should end the end ....(I miss a Kappa emote)

I think the End of the Cycle could beat the Unbidden.

[Xobra]

If the End is a weak one, it should die, if it is max strength according to game files, throw the Aberrant and the Vehement in the pot, and it should considerably weaken enough.
The End got really low self repair/ shield regen