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:
"GOOD EVENING! THIS BROADCAST HAS BEEN HACKED BY CNS".
[ "SEEK THE TRUTH BEYOND THE WALLS ! ]"
and "[ ONE NIGHT, THREE DAWNS. SEE THE SIGNS ]."

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.

CNS's messages and hijacks

Messages from CNS have appeared in several trailers, renders, and other official content.

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.

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.

After the 7.10.0 store update, a new lore vignette was shown upon starting the game. In the video a member of CNS recites a poem about three frogs, accompanied by news stories about three sponsors of THE FINALS: OSPUZE, DISSUN, and VAIIYA. Below is a transcript of the speech alongside a transcripts of the articles.

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.

On 08/04/26 a message titled CNS TRANSMISSION [INTERCEPTED MESSAGE] was sent in the inbox section of the game, the message reads the following:

Something is approaching. We feel it in the static.
Dreams bleed into reality. Hidden truths surface. And an old prophet speaks of their return.
The writing's on the wall. We see it. And so do they.
While they cast shadows and seek profit among the stars, we prepare for what comes next.
An old path emerges once more. A piece of our world, hidden and controlled for far too long.
The path is yours to take.
Open your eyes. Play their games. And seek the truth beyond the walls.
Fly free. Rise above.
With love, from CNS.
[Image of the CNS "CEO"]

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.

Related Cosmetics

Cosmetics that feature or mention CNS.

Name	Rarity	Type	Description
FINAL HACKTIVIST	MYTHIC	OUTFIT	Unauthorized access never looked this sharp.
ARIAD, CNS	LEGENDARY	OUTFIT	Step into the shoes of CNS and manipulate your environment with full CNS flair, leaving your mark in the cyber world.
NEUROCALYPSE SPIKE	LEGENDARY	OUTFIT	When the end approached, you uploaded yourself to survive.
TREBLE BREAKER	LEGENDARY	OUTFIT	The volume was never the problem. You were.
OFF THE GRID	EPIC	OUTFIT	The uniform of the untraceable.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	SPECTRAL INTRUDERS	LEGENDARY	FACEWEAR	Filters out corporate spin, reveals hidden intentions.

Name	Rarity	Type	Description
CNS CODE BREAKER	LEGENDARY	UPPER BODY	Tailored by CNS, with love.
BROADCAST BOMBER	RARE	UPPER BODY	Engineered for sabotage, lined for comfort.
SIGNAL STACK TEE	RARE	UPPER BODY	We're still here.
CNS SYNC SLACKS	LEGENDARY	LOWER BODY	Tailored by CNS, with love.
CIPHERSTRIKE PANTS	RARE	LOWER BODY	Perfect attire for leaping firewalls and dodging corporate detection.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	BOOTJACK GLOVES	RARE	HANDS	Get your hands dirty with digital truth.
	OVERRIDE STOMPERS	EPIC	FEET	Built for kicking down firewalls and trampling corporate narratives.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	CNS SYNC SLING	LEGENDARY	UPPER BACK	Tailored by CNS, with love.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	TEMPUS ERRATUM	LEGENDARY	WATCH	A marvel of malfunction, so glitched you'll be running late, early, and on time simultaneously.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	CNS SYNC STRAP	LEGENDARY	WRIST	Tailored by CNS, with love.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	HAIR	RARE	HAIR	Because victory looks better with the right cut.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	GIMME FIVE	LEGENDARY	EMOTE	For contestants who would never leave someone hangin'.
	UNAUTHORIZED LOGIN	EPIC	EMOTE	Credentials? Please. CNS never asks twice.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	CNS BULLETIN	EPIC	SPRAY	From CNS, with love.

Name	Rarity	Source	Description
CNS COMMUNIQUÉ	RARE	S2 BP LEVEL 94	We are CNS.
MEMORY LEAK	RARE	S7 BP LEVEL 59	Chill like it's the end of the world.
TERMINAL AWAKENING	RARE	S7 Event	The system isn't ready. You are.

Name	Rarity	Type	Description
HOLO ON IMPACT	LEGENDARY	SKIN // FAMAS	Highlighted for performance. Glitched for resistance.
KINETIC FLARE	EPIC	SKIN // Model 1887	Plan to shine brightly and continuously, far and wide.
KINETIC FLARE	EPIC	SKIN // AKM	A skin for contestants who plan to shine brightly and continuously, far and wide.
KINETIC FLARE	EPIC	SKIN // ARN-220	Plan to shine brightly and continuously, far and wide.
KINETIC FLARE	EPIC	SKIN // Lewis Gun	Plan to shine brightly and continuously, far and wide.
KINETIC FLARE	EPIC	SKIN // Pike-556	Plan to shine brightly and continuously, far and wide.

Name	Rarity	Type	Description
CORE MOTTO	EPIC	STICKER	Seek the truth. Use it to win.
EN\LIGHT\ED	EPIC	STICKER	You saw the signal. You followed the glitch. Welcome to the real upload.
CNS TAG	RARE	STICKER	The writing's on the wall. Literally.
PAYLOAD VISUALIZER	LEGENDARY	CHARM	If you're seeing this, you're already compromised.
VECTOR COLLECTOR	LEGENDARY	CHARM	For contestants who are known to employ a triangulation attack in the arena.
PHASEFAULT	EPIC	CHARM	Wobbling between versions. Somewhere, you exist.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	CHROMA PLATE	RARE	SCREEN // Multi-Device	A screen tuned to frequencies the Arena would rather you ignore.
	CHROMA PAD	LEGENDARY	SKIN // Multi-Device	A skin for Contestants to plan to shine brightly and continuosly, far and wide.

Name	Rarity	Type	Description
BROADCAST_INTERCEPT	EPIC	BACKGROUND	This isn't the noise. It's the signal. And you're finally listening.
BLOOM UPLINK	RARE	BACKGROUND	Not listed. Not tracked. Brought to you by a ghost signal.
BOOTLEG UPLINK	RARE	BACKGROUND	Waiting on connection... or corruption.
SIGNAL SLICE	RARE	BACKGROUND	Broadcast authority, pixel by pixel.

Icon	Name	Rarity	Type	Description
	CNS INDENT MARK	RARE	BORDER	No filters. No corrections. Just truth.

Name	Rarity	Type	Description
HACKTIVIST HEART	COMMON	BADGE	Be the glitch in their code and the beat they can't debug.
HACKTIVIST HEART	COMMON	BADGE	Be the glitch in their code and the beat they can't debug.
HACKTIVIST HEART	COMMON	BADGE	Be the glitch in their code and the beat they can't debug.

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