In our special, we want to clarify the story of the predecessor for everyone who is starting new or returning to The Division 2. We will reveal to you what has happened so far and what Part 1 and 2 have to do with each other.
The Division 1 was not particularly known for its outstanding story, yet the game had a solid 20-hour campaign, which can be considered extensive for an online game focused on loot.
In our special, we want to educate all those who are just starting with The Division 2 about the ongoing main story. Veterans may appreciate a refresher on their background knowledge.
The Backstory: Directive 51 and the Formation of the Division
After an operation called Dark Winter, the US government determined in 2001 that the country was not prepared for a dire emergency such as a terrorist attack with biological weapons. Therefore, Directive 51 was developed and enacted into law in 2007.
What is Directive 51? Once Directive 51 is activated, the head of the US government receives absolute control over all government areas. This only applies in the event of a disaster.
Alongside Directive 51, the Strategic Homeland Division, or “SHD,” was established. The Division is only supposed to activate when all other tactical options are exhausted, and Directive 51 is activated.
This is “The Division”: This secret unit of sleeper agents was created immediately after the establishment of Directive 51.
The agents were specifically trained, educated, and live as ordinary people in society.
In the event of a catastrophe, the Division is to be activated and work from within. This scenario actually occurred.
The Story of The Division 1
How it all started: In November 2015, a deadly virus was released during Black Friday in a shopping mall in New York. This virus was soon also called the Dollar Flu, as the pathogen spread via banknotes, infected locals and tourists, and spread rapidly around the world.
This is the “green poison” or “Dollar Flu”: The virus is particularly resilient and caused the familiar order to collapse within a short time. It triggered symptoms similar to swine flu, but is significantly more deadly.
However, not everyone was infected by this virus. Some individuals turned out to be immune. Still, the chaos and death toll were immense.
As a result, Directive 51 was activated, as was the Division. The first wave of agents was activated and sent to New York to help control the situation alongside the local units. But things went terribly wrong.
This is what happened to the first wave: Agent Aaron Keener was sent as the unit leader with many first-wave agents right to the center. There, a huge quarantine zone was established. The goal was to ensure the safety of the aid workers and civilians. But the situation spiraled out of control, and the center was sealed off. This former quarantine zone ultimately became the Dark Zone.
Keener and the other agents were left behind in the Dark Zone. After witnessing many of his comrades die, Keener developed a hatred for the government and went rogue. He vanished for a while and went underground somewhere in New York. He built a crew of rogue first-wave agents.
Every agent who opposed him was killed. Thus, he transitioned from a Division agent to one of their greatest enemies.
The Second Wave is Activated
This is the second wave: As part of the second wave of the Division, the players, meaning you, were sent to Manhattan to find surviving agents, recover equipment, and ensure stability.
Additionally, the goal was to gather as much data as possible about the virus, find the perpetrator, and develop an antidote.
However, New York has changed significantly. Organizations that previously worked to protect the city have become independent and, in some cases, hostile. The Cleaners were responsible for “eradicating” the contaminated corpses, but eventually turned against the remaining healthy population.
Throughout the main campaign, players faced these factions, fought at various locations in Manhattan, and ultimately succeeded in taking down all the leaders of these factions and, at least a little, restored peace.
The Origin of the Virus
Who was behind the virus? Furthermore, important data was collected about the virus and its creator was found: Gordon Amherst. He was discovered dead in his hideout by the Division agents, likely a victim of his own virus.
In his notes, he explained his actions by stating that humanity was too dangerous for the planet. He wanted to “heal” humanity and catalyze natural selection.
If the creator is dead, everything should be fine, right? Not quite. The virus continues to infect large parts of the population, killing many and causing a global crisis. Very little is known about the rest of the world and the state of other countries.
Moreover, Aaron Keener was able to recover most of the data about the virus before the Division agents could. Additionally, the rogue captured a Russian biologist named Tschernenko from the Russian consulate before the Division could evacuate him.
Together with Amherst’s technology for producing and spreading the virus and the esteemed biologist, Keener is now well out of reach. Thus, a highly intelligent, trained Division agent is in possession of a deadly biological weapon – and he has the means to deploy it.
But what are his motives? It is only certain that he pursues his own goals without regard for consequences. You can find everything about Aaron Keener in our special on the first rogue agent:
The Division 2 – What comes next?
The first part ends relatively abruptly with Keener’s disappearance. What happens next with New York remains open for now, as The Division 2 introduces a time jump and a change of location.
This is what The Division 2 is about: 7 months after the events of New York City, the action continues in the US capital, Washington D.C. Emergency calls are coming from the city where the actual seat of government is located.
A kind of civil war has broken out in D.C. after the outbreak of the virus has been able to take effect for over half a year. There are Division agents there too, but they are heavily decimated and spread across the city.
As a result, assistance is requested from the operations base in the White House, and all agents are summoned to Washington. This also includes agents from New York City. As one of these agents, it is once again your task to save an important city and ensure stability.
In doing so, you will once again face several brutal factions, this time better organized and more dangerous than before. The return of Aaron Keener is also confirmed, so one can be curious about how things will unfold with him and the virus.
There are still many questions to be answered. For example, what has become of the mysterious Hunters, who appeared out of nowhere in The Division 1 and posed the greatest threat to agents?
Whether they will play a role in The Division 2 remains open. However, there are already some theories about them:
What The Division 2 is about is also shown to you in the story trailer.
When does The Division 2 start? The official release is on March 15. Then you can play the story yourself and see how it continues.
However, it is also possible to start 3 days earlier, on March 12. We will show you how to do that:
