HADES

HADES

HADES is the primary antagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn. It is a rogue artificial intelligence that was previously a subordinate function of the A.I. GAIA, specifically serving as the extinction failsafe protocol for Project Zero Dawn.

Purpose

HADES was one of a suite of nine subordinate functions under the control of GAIA as part of Project Zero Dawn. The erstwhile criminal hacker Travis Tate was the lead programmer in charge of the HADES’ development. If GAIA's terraforming efforts proved unsuccessful with regard to producing an environment suitable for sustaining life, HADES' function was to reverse the work done, reverting the planet to its previous lifeless, sterile state so that GAIA could engage in another attempt. In the process, any life that was introduced during the terraforming attempt would be exterminated. As such, HADES was originally not a true A.I., but could instead be considered an extension of GAIA.