Remedy Entertainment is keeping busy right now. It announced Alan Wake 2 at The Game Awards, and this came after it already confirmed a Control sequel and a multiplayer Control spinoff. Interestingly, fans know more about Alan Wake 2 than Control 2 to a certain extent, mostly by virtue of knowing Alan Wake 2's release year. In contrast, the Control sequel is a mystery. Jesse Faden's role as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Control could take her in any number of directions. However, it seems most likely that her next great challenge will somehow involve supernatural forces that already have a stake in the Bureau.
For instance, Control 2 could put a new emphasis on Ahti, the self-proclaimed janitor of the Bureau. Although he seems like an unassuming, eccentric elderly man at first, it doesn't take long for Control players to realize that there's much more to Ahti than meets the eye. His uncanny knowledge of the Oldest House's contents and changes, as well as his telepathic communication with Jesse, suggest that Ahti could be much closer to cosmic beings like the Board than fans realize. If Ahti really is so important, then maybe he'll play a more central part in Control 2's story.
Ahti's Potential Role in Control 2
Ahti is definitely important to Jesse's journey in Control, but he's largely a supportive character. He provides guidance and support for Jesse a few times, but the bulk of interactions with Ahti stem from the janitorial tasks that Jesse can complete for him. Even so, there's information surrounding Ahti that hints at his supernatural nature and his remarkable abilities. He's known to appear just about anywhere in the Bureau, whether he has the proper clearance or not, and he's shown a deep understanding of the Oldest House ever since the Bureau first established itself there. Those capabilities and his unknown origins make him ripe for a heightened role in Control 2.
It wouldn't be surprising to see Jesse work with Ahti more closely in the new game. The Hiss still pose a threat to the Bureau, as well as the Board, so a renewed Hiss assault could mean that Ahti has to help fight them more actively rather than offering cryptic clues and useful items to Jesse. While Ahti isn't confirmed to work for the Board, his habit of viewing the Director as an assistant makes it seem like he could be connected to them. If the Board is directly hampered or threatened at the start of Control 2, then Ahti might have to train Jesse more personally in the paranormal to save both the Bureau and the Board.
Alternatively, it's possible that Ahti himself could be in danger in Control 2. He seemed unaffected by the Hiss throughout Control, but that doesn't mean he's invulnerable to them. Ahti could be targeted directly by the Hiss in the sequel due to his involvement in Jesse's fight against them. Ahti may be an enigma, but he's clearly responsible for protecting and maintaining the Oldest House to some degree, so losing him could put the Bureau in serious danger. After Jesse's long quest to find her lost brother, Ahti could be the next person she has to save.
Expanding Control's Universe
Ahti seems like a good character to spotlight in Control 2 because of his potential to help the universe grow. Because of his strange abilities and connections to forces greater than humanity, he's a perfect reason for Jesse and the Bureau to run up against new mysteries and entities from other worlds. Control's universe is already expanding thanks to its connections to Alan Wake, but Remedy should make sure to offer new reasons to return to Control's side of the shared universe too. With Ahti's help, Control 2 could really help this IP's lore flourish.
Control is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.