The fact that the solution to a long-standing mystery can also turn out to be disappointing is shown by a recent case in The Division 2. This concerns a secret mission, the purpose of which fans have speculated about for a long time.
This is what the mystery is about: If you belong to the seekers of secrets and treasures, you should have already encountered one or another hidden mission in The Division 2. The Navy Hill mission even rewards you with a secret outfit.
Those who complete it will automatically come across another secret mission called “G. Phillips Protocol.” Many players have puzzled over this mission since the release, as the completion simply consists of entering a room.
Now, Massive has retroactively made a change to the mission in the Title Update 3, which likely resolves the mystery. The result is disappointing for some.
Players Turn Over Every Stone in the Storage Room
This happens during the secret mission: Once you have completed Navy Hill and received the outfit, the mission “G. Phillips Protocol” is activated.
- It leads you to a storage room in the west of Washington, D.C.
- Before Title Update 3, there were just a few loot boxes in this room, nothing noteworthy
- For months, agents have been searching this room for clues
This was suspected: Many players were not satisfied with the simple completion of the mission. The Division 2 is, as mentioned, a game with a huge world full of sometimes well-crafted puzzles.
- For example, there are 12 Hunter Masks that could only be found by deciphering codes on graffiti walls
- The Ivory Keys are also part of the many secrets that can only be found by cracking certain codes
- There are always hidden loot rooms on missions
- There is even a strange owl puzzle
Thus, it is not surprising that many suspected more behind this mission. The most adventurous things were tried out.
- For example, the flickering of a lamp was seen as a possible hint. One player speculated on Reddit whether Morse code could be behind the rhythm in which the lamp flickered.
- Others tried to glitch through walls.
- The pictures hanging there were examined very closely, with information about the artists researched
- and connections were even made to historical events during World War II.
Every tiny detail was analyzed on Reddit and further speculated about what great thing could be behind it.
It does not quite fit in the eyes of the persistent seekers of secrets with the attention to detail that the developers have otherwise shown. After all, they kept their secrets and puzzles even internally from most of the team.
Many simply could not give up, as they did not believe that Massive would simply end this mission unremarkably. Then, a few weeks ago, Massive made a small change to the mission with Title Update 3.
Is a Backpack Trophy the Solution?
This is what changed in the storage room: After the last major patch, there is now another chest in the storage room. This contains a backpack trophy in the shape of a film reel.
Stephen Totilo from kotaku.com also recently reported on this.
He and other players suspect that this trophy must be the real reward of the mission.
Some find the solution to the puzzle so disappointing that they have continued to search, as they still suspected more behind it. Most, however, have come to terms with the fact that this mission probably just has no spectacular secret.
Some even suspect that Massive only added the trophy due to the persistent players. However, many likely envisioned something different.
If you also enjoy Easter Eggs, check this one out that plays on conspiracy theories and a well-known book series:
