In an embodiment, an internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of cylinders, each of the plurality of cylinders comprising at least one intake deactivator operatively connected to at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust deactivator operatively connected to at least one exhaust. An intake deactivator controller is operatively connected to the intake deactivators associated with at least two cylinders of the plurality of cylinders, and an exhaust deactivator controller is operatively connected to the exhaust deactivators associated with the at least two cylinders. In another embodiment, only a single deactivator controller is operatively connected to both the intake deactivators and to the exhaust deactivators associated with the at least two cylinders of the plurality of cylinders.