Giant's Deep
A cloud-covered water planet with floating islands and the Nomai probe cannon in orbit.
Giant's Deep is a cloud-covered water planet in the Outer Wilds planetary system, containing several floating islands. It is one of the celestial bodies the Hatchling can explore while investigating the Nomai ruins and the cause of the time loop.
- Planet Type
- Ocean World
- Location
- Outer Wilds System
- Surface Feature
- Global Ocean with Volcanic Islands
- Key Structure
- Nomai Space Station (Orbiting)
- Significance
- Critical to Time Loop Mechanics
Lore & Background
The Nomai built a probe cannon in orbit around Giant's Deep as part of their plan to locate the Eye of the Universe. The cannon was designed to fire a probe in a random direction, and with enough power—generated by artificially inducing a supernova—the probe's data would be sent back in time 22 minutes. This would allow the probe to be fired in as many times and directions as necessary to find the Eye. The probe cannon itself is the Nomai space station; there is no separate station. The probe cannon found the Eye on the 9,318,054th loop, and the Hatchling's induction into the time loop occurs during that same loop because the statues activate when the Eye is located, not at its start.
In Their Own Story
The Nomai constructed a probe cannon in orbit around Giant's Deep to fire a probe in a random direction, searching for the Eye of the Universe. They planned to use the Sun Station to artificially induce a supernova, generating enough power to send the probe's data back in time 22 minutes. However, the Sun Station failed to induce a supernova. Long after the Nomai went extinct, the sun went supernova naturally, triggering the time loop repeatedly until the probe cannon found the Eye at the beginning of the game. At that moment, a Nomai statue in the museum activated and turned towards the Hatchling, inducting them into the loop.
Reader's Guide
Giant's Deep is a cloud-covered water planet with several floating islands. The Hatchling can explore its surface and the islands using their spacesuit's jetpack and spacecraft. The planet is orbited by a Nomai space station and the probe cannon. The probe cannon is a key location: it fired the probe that eventually found the Eye of the Universe. The Hatchling can visit the cannon to learn about the Nomai's plan and the probe's discovery. The planet's oceans and islands may contain Nomai ruins and writings that reveal more about their history and the time loop. The Hatchling should be cautious of the planet's storms and the need to manage oxygen and fuel while exploring.
Did You Know?
- Giant's Deep is a cloud-covered water planet containing several floating islands.
- The Nomai built a probe cannon in orbit around Giant's Deep to fire a probe in a random direction to locate the Eye of the Universe.
- The probe cannon was part of a plan to use a supernova to send probe data back in time 22 minutes.
- The probe cannon found the Eye on the 9,318,054th loop, and the Hatchling's induction into the time loop occurs during that same loop because the statues activate when the Eye is located, not at its start.
- The Nomai probe cannon itself is the space station orbiting Giant's Deep; there is no separate station.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Giant's Deep?
Giant's Deep is a stormy ocean world shrouded in thick clouds, featuring volcanic islands and a global sea that hides ancient Nomai ruins beneath its surface. It serves as the location for the planet's massive space station orbiting above.
Why is the planet covered in storms?
The constant violent weather on Giant's Deep is actually caused by the gravitational pull of the nearby black hole, which distorts the atmosphere and makes navigation difficult for travelers.
What is the most important structure found here?
The Nomai Space Station orbits this world and houses the cannon used to launch probes into the black hole known as The Eye of the Universe. This station is essential for understanding the time loop mechanics.
How does Giant's Deep connect to the time loop?
This planet holds the key to breaking the cycle because the Nomai constructed a device here that allows players to interact with the black hole and reset the universe.
What can you find on the surface of Giant's Deep?
Explorers will discover floating volcanic islands, underwater temples containing Nomai history, and the entrance to a deep trench leading toward the planet's core.
More in Planets & Locations
Elsewhere in the Outer Wilds universe
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