tallneck

Tallneck is a term used in the Horizon video game series to describe a class of large, slow-moving machines. These creatures have a long, slender neck that supports a small, sensor-laden head, perched atop a bulky body with four legs. In appearance they resemble a giraffe-like silhouette against the landscape, and their size makes them among the most conspicuous machines in the game world.

Physical characteristics and design: Tallnecks are tall, quadrupedal constructs with an elongated neck and a compact head filled with sensors and cameras. Their design emphasizes mobility and data collection, with the neck and head serving as a high-mounted sensor array that scans the surrounding environment as they move.

In-universe function: Tallnecks serve as mobile mapping units. Their primary role is to scan terrain and feed data into the global network that reconstructs the world map within the game. When a player climbs to the top of a Tallneck and activates its control node, the surrounding region is revealed on the map, providing orientation and guiding exploration.

Behavior and encounters: Tallnecks are generally non-hostile and move slowly, making them approachable despite their size. While they can be damaged by players, they are not primarily combat-focused. Their paths and patrol patterns vary by region, but they typically traverse open terrain rather than remaining stationary.

Context within Horizon: In the Horizon lore, Tallnecks are remnants of ancient technology from the Old World. Their exact origins are not fully explained, but they are understood to be dedicated to environmental surveying and data collection. The map data they provide facilitates exploration and is a recurring objective for players in both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.