The rules of engagement in Active Matter shifted dramatically today with the launch of the new solo Overtime Raid, "Headquarters: Code 2901." While standard extractions focus on avoiding anomalies, this operation encourages players to become one. Starting immediately, operatives can access this new zone to intentionally trigger unstable artifacts and undergo a radical mutation.
Embrace the Anomaly
The core hook of Headquarters: Code 2901 is the ability to interact with specific unstable artifacts scattered throughout the map. Activating these doesn't just warp the environment—it warps the player. Successful activation triggers a mutation into the Mothman, turning the typical tactical shooter loop on its head. Instead of checking corners for threats, you become the predator stalking the corridors of the facility.
Once mutated, your objective shifts from standard resource gathering to pure aggression. The mission profile is simple: hunt down and eliminate specific targets. This includes rival operatives trying to survive the time loop and other monsters inhabiting the zone. It turns the solo experience into an asymmetric hunt where the power dynamic is heavily skewed in favor of the mutated player, provided they can master the Mothman's unique capabilities.
Why the Agency Wants the Artifact
This raid digs deeper into the game's lore regarding the cryptic science labs and rusty Soviet industrial complexes that define the setting. The Agency isn't just sending you in to cause chaos; they want the source of the mutation. After the operation concludes, the narrative drive involves the evacuation of the activated artifact for further study. This suggests that the "Headquarters" location is likely one of the primary sites where these phenomena were originally studied, bridging the gap between gameplay mechanics and the mystery of the active matter itself.
For solo players, this update offers a distinct break from the usual tension of survival. By handing players the power of an anomaly, Gaijin Entertainment is testing a more aggressive, hunter-focused meta that rewards calculated risks with massive power spikes.