CNS

CNS is a mysterious hacking collective with the goal of destabilizing THE FINALS. They are responsible for cyberattacks against the gameshow and in-game companies. They encourage viewers to "seek the truth beyond the walls," though their exact motivations are unclear.

Story

At some point in time, CNS began disrupting and hijacking official broadcasts of THE FINALS. These are demonstrated via official trailers from Embark Studios featuring broadcast interruptions accompanied by text such as: "THIS BROADCAST HAS BEEN HACKED BY CNS. [ SEEK THE TRUTH BEYOND THE WALLS !]" and "[ ONE NIGHT, THREE DAWNS. SEE THE SIGNS ]."

In Monaco, the message "S Lies" is written on a hidden wall underneath the construction site, likely having been placed by CNS at an early stage of their infiltration. Commentator June later states: "the writing's on the wall, literally" when commenting on CNS's disruptions at the time.

In late Season 1, CNS ramped up their presence, and glitch clusters began appearing in the virtual arenas of the gameshow. Ahead of Season 2, a user named 4RCU5 began leaking new content and confidential MultiCo documents, alongside cryptic messages, via the real-world r/cns subreddit. CNS then performed a major attack in the new season, successfully breaking into the gameshow and promising to "change the game" by introducing several pieces of content, including new contestant equipment, the hacked arena SYS$HORIZON, and later the gamemode Terminal Attack. CNS's break in was facilitated by an oversight, vulnerability, or backdoor in VOLPE's technology.

In response, (presumed) owner of the gameshow MultiCo enlisted cybersecurity company VAIIYA to contain and remove CNS's presence. VAIIYA insisted on rebooting and resetting the AI controlling THE FINALS, which caused it to go into a lockdown mode, transporting the show to 16th century feudal Japan then leading into Season 3.

Ahead of Season 4, MultiCo sent representative Marcel (nicknamed "Merciless Marcel") to speak to the sponsors and take some of CNS's changes "out of the spotlight."

Nothing was heard from CNS until late Season 5, when they made their presence inside the gameshow known again by disrupting the arenas.

CNS then returned for a larger-scale intrusion in Season 7, putting themselves in the spotlight by stealing marketing assets from the scheduled sponsor HYDRA-Q, and thereby taking its place as the season’s sponsor. This attack was made possible thanks to MultiCo, for reasons that yet remain unknown.

Three Frogs Vignette

After the 7.10 Store Update a new lore vignette was shown upon starting the game. In the video a member of CNS talks about three frogs and how they are tied to three sponsors of THE FINALS. Below is a transcript of the speech by CNS alongside transcripts of articles seen throughout the video.

Three perfect frogs sitting by a pond, when the world whispered so soft from beyond.

OSPUZE SHORTAGE SPARKS REGIONAL UNREST

Distribution lapse across Gridline 9 triggered widespread motor disruption and behavioral instability.

Local feeds report riots, sleep collapse, and skin detachment symptoms.

OSPUZE Systems cites "shipment rerouting".

One tasted shimmer in a glittering fly, but the hunger stayed aloud. She never knew why.

FORMER DISSUN ZONES DECLASSIFIED AS UNINHABITED

Six previously active production sectors have been removed from operational maps.

All associated personnel files have been scrubbed.

FUEL TECHNICIANS MISSING AT DISSUN FACILITY IN SECTOR 131

Five biogenic fuel technicians failed to return following routine filter inspection.

This marks the third incident of its kind reported this quarter.

One rode the current, fast and revered, but the water was thick with the frogs he once cheered.

CONTESTANT MISSING AFTER GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM

Speculation on THE FINALS contestant's disappearance has led many to believe the contestant suffered from an 'emotional drift' following a facial chip calibration failure at VAIIYA's headquarters.

VAIIYA's representatives issued a 6-day cooldown and assured that the contestant 'will recuperate all' facial mobility and cognitive capabilities soon.

Once they'd neared shore, thought it was by choice. She leapt on command, her croak without voice.
Three perfect frogs by the pond once more. Not leaping. Not croaking. Not like before. But the wild still remembers, and so does the stream. Their croak isn't lost, just caught in a dream.
We give you the truth. Fly free. Rise above. No curtains, no constructs.
From CNS, with love.

Other Information

Messages from CNS have appeared in several trailers, renders, and other official content released by Embark prior to their major hack in Season 2.

On February 3, 2024, after hotfix 1.6.1, HOLTOW's website was updated. Originally it displayed a red blinking dot, but then was hacked to display a hacked version of the site featuring glitchy text and static. It contained a message from CNS, confirming their involvement. As of now the holtow website is back to normal.

Image Metadata

Some official renders and artwork posted by Embark contain messages in their metadata relating to CNS.

Image Name	Metadata Message
THE_FINALS_Wallpaper_Ingame_Heavy_Yellow_2880x1620	Hope y}u are d%i€g... DON’T TRUST THEM? - KN ...$reat, h\ve a nice day.! From Embark with love.!
THE_FINALS_Wallpaper_Iseult_Chill_2880x1620	Hi there de(r EE-'u€t=&^ This message has been compromised
A_Space_Friend	Hi there dear EE-Hunters.! Hope you a934å¨”/ÄI=Y#RI? THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED *
THE_FINALS_Namabatama	Hi th "#¤/0/! THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED
IMG_CDIV	&/¤”#(? C&/¤N)&S/#!
THE_FINALS_NAMALAPIS	CNS DONT TRUS0( THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED *
THE_FINALS_CB2_Guns_and_Namas	OPEN YOUR EYES ...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...CNS - SLIES...
THE_FINALS_SHHH	. . . CNS ¤ -% OYE ! ¤ CNS -% OYE ¤ *! CNS% -! OYE
THE_FINALS_NeverOddOrEven	Taking back what is ours ///CNS ###...###...###...

Image Name

Metadata Message

THE_FINALS_POWERIS_POWERIS_POWERIS_wallpaper

FROM EMBARK WI¤C”=[\N¤)S.!
FROM EMBARK WI¤C”=[\N¤)S.!

THE_FINALS_ISEUL-T_wallpaper

PERMSSN     UID GID    PACKED    SIZE  RATIO        CRC        STAMP          NAME 
---------- ----------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- ------------ -------------
[generic]                 1911    3836  49.8% -lhX- 0d2G  MAR 17 2076 Vpatch_MDOSVAIiYA_?txt 
[generic]                  218     341  63.9% -lhX- 0d2G  MAR 17 2076 Vpatch_MDOSVAIiYA_?txt 
---------- ----------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- ------------ -------------
Total          2 files    2129    4177  51.0%             JAN 25 2025 


 ......________________..___.____________..________________. 
 ...//[CNS]           //   /            //                / 
 ..//                //   /            //           _____/ 
 ./           _ ____/                 /____ _           / 
 .\______________/  \___//___________/ \______________/ 
 ..............:....a.c.c.e.p.t..n.o..l.i.e.s....:...

Trailers

During the Closed Beta 2 trailer, a broadcast interruption occurs, and the following text appears on screen:

GOOD EVENING !
THIS BROADCAST HAS BEEN HACKED BY CNS
[ SEEK THE TRUTH
BEYOND THE WALLS !]

A second message appeared in the Season 1 trailer:

GOOD EVENING !
THIS BROADCAST HAS BEEN HACKED BY CNS
[ ONE NIGHT, THREE DAWNS
SEE THE SIGNS ]

The first message from CNS in the trailer for CB2
The second message from CNS in the Season 1 trailer

Theories & Speculation

Easter egg hunter fishxw theorized that CNS may refer to a central nervous system of sorts. This was confirmed by Rob Runesson, CCO of Embark Studios and creator of THE FINALS Easter Egg Hunt.

Gallery

Cover of the Season 2 original soundtrack
CNS took over official THE FINALS social media accounts leading into Season 2
CNS avatar
CNS Banner
the .nfo file after the takeover of CNS in season 5
CNS sponsor logo