Automata
Biographical information
User	None
Compile Date	Various
Status	Alive
Physical description
Circuitry Color	Purple
Description	Variable physical appearance
Other information
Functions	Anti-mysticism Independence Scientific discovery and technology
Equipment	Identity Disc Staff
Allies	Core
Out of universe information
Appearances	TRON: Identity TRON: Catalyst
Gallery

Automata are a faction of ISOs in the Arq Grid who reside in the Sprawl. They believe Users to be a myth, feeling that belief in them distracts programs from discovering their full potential. As a result, they typically reside with their own kind.^[1] The faction was founded in the Sprawl, which provided solace for the earliest Automata programs to explore new concepts and theories.^[2]

History

Founding

The Automata were formed at some point in the Arq Grid after the coup in the Grid, after Kevin Flynn had stopped returning to the Arq Grid on account of being trapped in the other system. The group believes the Users to be a myth, blinding programs to the beauty of the code around them, and find those who do believe in Users to be foolish and untrustworthy. The Automata was founded in the Sprawl, in the ruins of a former society. The earliest residents of the Sprawl found solace there to begin exploring new concepts of philosophy and theories.

Babb's Code

Babb, one of the earliest residents of the Sprawl, was the first Automata to write code, forging a path towards independence for the Automata. The code he wrote simply counted and marked cycles, but it marked the moment a program ceased to emulate the Users and made something of their own. His discovery would allow the Automata to build a society which wields the code of the Arq Grid itself. The Automata aim to use technology to create a utopian society free from "hazards and superstitions," according to Sierra during his conversation with Spectre during the "System Crash" primary process.^[2]

Investigation into the Repository explosion

Sierra, an Automata ambassador, had gone to the Repository as a show of good faith between the Automata and Core, the governing faction of the Arq Grid, when an explosion occurred. As an initial suspect, Sierra was locked up the Repository library by Grish. Query, a detective and member of the Disciples of Tron, was called in by Prinz to investigate the explosion. Query interrogated Sierra, who told him what had happened. Query questioned why Ada and Grish hadn't told him or Prinz of Sierra's alibi, who claims that it was because of their loyalty to the Core and the condemnation of the Automata.

Sierra leaves Query with a choice, to let him leave the library due to his innocence, or to keep him imprisoned. Query's choice impacts his opinion of him. If the player chooses to let Sierra go, he says he'll remember it and hold nothing against Query. If the player chooses to keep him trapped, Sierra will become enraged at Query.^[1]

TRON: Catalyst

Regardless of Query's choice in the Repository, Sierra eventually leaves the building and is later elected as leader of the Automata. He commissioned the development of an Automata Embassy, built by the great Automata architect Sum, in the north east end of Vertical Slice, accessible via the artisan district, where the Repository had once stood before its demolition by Core.^[3][4] The embassy was set up by Sierra as an attempt to seem less "strange" to others, according to his conversation with Spectre during the "System Crash" primary process. Automata fashion has been picked up by Vertical Slice's inhabitants.^[5] As a result of the Automata's growing influence, Core has expanded its presence within the city, keeping an eye on the Automata.^[6]

An Automata named Spart serves as the ambassador of the Automata Embassy, who was formerly an apprentice of Sierra.^[2]

You Win, You Schmooze

While talking to programs in Arena 4A's VIP bar, Exo meets a program named Edri, who is wearing an Automata coat. Edri is offended when Exo asks if its Automata and denies. He explains to her that the coat was imported from the artisan district in Vertical Slice, refined by the best tailors in the Grid, and features multi-threads in a hexagonal weave. The coat itself, he adds, was uncovered by tailors a few cycles ago. When Exo asks if any of the tailors' expeditions were located in Automata territory, Edri, frustrated, simply replies, "Hmpf."^[2]

Diplomatic Relations

Once arriving at the Automata Embassy, Exo meets with embassy tour guide Kiya in the Embassy Offices, asking for help to escape the city. Noting that she is merely a tour guide, Kiya refers her to the embassy's ambassador, Spart, but that first, Spart needs Exo to obtain Core's access codes for her.^[2]

Public Relations

A Core officer named Estir requested that Exo search the artisan district in Vertical Slice and speak to Automata members, in order to know what they've been discussing with locals. In the mall, Exo spoke to three Automata representatives - Para, Vac, and an unnamed female member.^[2]

Loose Lips

Upon returning to the Core Base in Vertical Slice, Exo tells Estir the Automata in the artisan district are doing nothing noteworthy, and that they are simply socializing. Estir is initially in disbelief, insisting that they must be spreading their ideology. Exo suggests while they may be doing so in their embassy, these Automata representatives seem only interested in making friends in the artisan district.^[2]

Escape Velocity

After stealing Core's access codes and escaping their pursuit, Exo returns to Kiya in the embassy and gives her the stolen access codes. In return, Kiya modifies code in Exo's Identity Disc to grant her access to the top floor of the embassy, where she can find Spart.^[2]

The Emissary

Before meeting Spart, Exo confronts a Core officer named Mo at the embassy, leading a manhunt for Exo. Exo eventually defeats Mo and his squad, and reaches the top floor of the embassy. However, she is stunned to see Spart talking to Conn, a Core guard, who has turned her over to him as a means to protect the Automata. Spart explains that the Automata have attempted true independence in the past, and while Sierra still strives for that society, she believes him to be an "old fool," and that only by building bridges can peace be truly achieved.^[2]

System Crash

On the top of a tower in the Outlands, after finding Oracle's fourth piece of research, Exo witnesses a conversation between Sierra and Spectre, leader of Reset, who are discussing the possibility of forming an alliance between the Automata and Reset against Core. Sierra notes his past experience with Core, and finds Spart's attempt at common ground with them to be naive.^[2]

The Coming Storm

Finding another projection of their conversation, Exo witnesses Spectre declining an alliance between the Automata and Reset, finding that best way to deal Core's tyranny is through patience. Sierra is adamant that there is no better time for an alliance, as he is aware of Core's prior cruelty. Spectre continued to decline his offer, with Sierra remarking that the Automata will need to redouble their efforts to prepare for another glitch storm, and that is he disappointed in her.^[2]

Playing Catch Up

On her way to Oracle's lair to see Sierra and Spectre, Exo is confronted by an Automata member named Tan, who, upon noticing that she is not a member of Reset, requests that she turn her Identity Disc over to him. Exo explains that Sierra is in danger and she's in a hurry to meet him. Insisting that Sierra is well-protected, he orders her again to hand him her disc, which she refuses, leading to a skirmish between her and him. Exo derezzes Tan and arrives at Oracle's lair.^[2]

Doctor, How?

In Tacitus' Stronghold, following another time loop, Exo reintroduces herself to Moto, Tacitus' brother. During their conversation, Exo suggests she steal Automata code from their embassy's lab to dismantle the Induction Chamber in response to Moto suggesting to feed the chamber code it can't convert, with the hope that it'll prevent his brother's future experiments.^[2]

Script Kiddie

Following her successful break-in, Exo steps into the Induction Chamber with the Automata code flowing through her circuits. Oracle reassures her that the machine will not be usable for some time, and that she'll lock its destruction for future loops.^[2]

End Of Line

At Communication Tower Omega in the Outlands, Exo arrives to meet with her allies upon defeating Conn. She ponders how Conn was able to protect himself from being instantly derezzed, with Horii suggesting he stole Automata technology. Sierra believed Spart willingly gave Conn this technology, saying she knew better than to trust Core.^[2]

Known Members

• Sierra: Formerly an ambassador between Automata and the cities,^[1] Sierra was elected leader of his people following the investigation into the Repository explosion.^[2]
• Para: An Automata Representative located in the mall in Vertical Slice. When asked by Exo if they fear Core, they answered in the affirmative.
• Vac: Automata Representative located sitting by a program named Atun in the mall. He reveals that he's talking to programs about the new Automata Embassy in town, hoping to invite them.
• Unnamed female Automata representative sitting on a bench with a program named Hos in the mall of Vertical Slice.
• Kiya: A tour guide at the Automata Embassy. She offers Exo a tour of the embassy should the player choose so.
• Palla: A female Automata artisan who created a syncopated quaternion titled "Entering the Sprawl," on display in the Automata Embassy in Vertical Slice.
• Infra: The creator of an art piece in the Automata Embassy titled "User Defined," intended to be satire scripted in machine code that reproduces the biometric patterns of Kevin Flynn from Core's records, aiming to challenge viewers.
• Babb: One of the first programs to settle in the Sprawl, showing a new path to independent thought by being the first Automata to write code.
• Sum: An architect responsible for designing the Automata Embassy in Vertical Slice, following specifications given by Sierra.
• Spart: Ambassador of the Automata Embassy in Vertical Slice and former apprentice of Sierra.
• Tan: An Automata Sage who confronted Exo in the Outlands, ordering her to turn her disc to him. He was derezzed in battle by Exo.
• Welcome Byte: An Automata-developed artificial intelligence who serves to welcome visitors to the Automata Embassy.

General information

Appearance

Most of the Automata look nothing like regular ISOs, according to Sierra. Those like him, who travel out beyond the Sprawl, adopt an appearance similar to ISOs, but double the height of an average program with pale skin and a stretched out face. As stated by Sierra to Query, Automata ordinarily prefer not to look too much like humans, but adopt a humanoid form around other ISOs to put them at ease.^[1]

Personality and traits

Automata are typically homogeneous, and reside with their own kind. They reject the existence of Users, and feel those who do believe in Users to be foolish and untrustworthy. Their primary goal is scientific advancement and innovation, beyond the teachings of the Users. This philosophy has led them to unconventional discoveries, developing arts, architecture, and technology never before seen on the Grid. They ordinarily dwell away from the rest of society in a region called the Sprawl,^[1] though an embassy in the city of Vertical Slice was opened by Sierra in an attempt to coexist.^[2]

Automata seemingly have their own written language, as it is noted that Exo knew enough Automata to operate their elevator in their Embassy.^[2]

Skills and abilities

• Appearance Modification: Automata are capable of modifying their physical appearance. Most of the Automata look nothing like regular ISOs and prefer to not resemble humans, but choose to adopt a humanoid form around other ISOs to put them at ease.^[1] It is unknown how the Automata modify their appearance.
• Advanced Technology: Automata possess advanced technology and tools, given their pursuit of scientific knowledge and innovation. Several Automata soldiers wield staffs. When defeated, they can drop the Sweep Modifier or a Decoy ability for Exo to utilize in combat.
• Levitation: Automata Sages, such as Tan, wear robes and can levitate above their opponents.
• Energy Barriers: Automata Sages can create energy barriers around themselves for defensive measures.
• Mirages: Automata Sages can create mirages of themselves to fight alongside them in combat. Automata developed this technology, and traded it to Core in exchange for a temporary peace deal by Spart; it is featured inside the Training Dojo in Arena 4A.^[2]

TRON: Catalyst Codex

AUTOMATA

To be added.

AUTOMATA EMBASSY

Still under construction, the Automata embassy is nevertheless impressive. Grand organic forms and light mark a space bustling with new ideas and futuristic technology. You can see why Core are so unsettled by its presence.

It is exciting to see new structures in the city. A desire to call back to our past, and a generally conservative approach to city planning has made much of the city resemble the primary Grid. You understand the politics of this, but still long for more of this new architecture. Maybe the city's population will take inspiration from it the same way they've drawn on Automata fashion.

Anything to see a little less cyan.

AUTOMATA LABS

To be added.

Trivia

• The Automata are likely named after and inspired by automatons and automata theory, which is the study of abstract machines and automation, as well as the computational problems that can be solved using them.^[7] Like automatons, the Automata operate independently from User input.

References