Following a recently discovered XP exploit inside of The Descent activity inThe Division 2, Massive Entertainment releases a statement announcing various levels of punishment for those abusing it. After launching back in early 2019, The Division 2 has continued to evolve thanks to its live service model. However, after a content lull last year put the series future in doubt, Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment put those fears to rest by announcing its intentions tocontinue supportingThe Division 2with a new year of contentat the very least. Following the end ofThe Division 2Season 11, Year 5 changed up how the Manhunt mechanic worked previously, instead tasking players with going on rescue missions to find missing VIP civilians. However, for most players, the biggest addition in year 5 is a new rogue-lite game mode called Descent, which strips players of their gear, specializations, and perks, and instead build new loadouts from what is earned by defeating each wave of enemies while moving through the facility. Unfortunately, a bug that allowed players to join in-progress matches through Ubisoft Connect, also gave them a large portion of XP and SHD levels.RELATED:The Division 2 Dev Explains Why a Next-Gen Version of the Game is ‘Unlikely’ to HappenNow, Massive Entertainment has responded to the recently discovered exploit inThe Division 2, calling the XP and SHD levels gained by those utilizing the exploit unfair. As such, the studio has identified individuals who abused the glitch and have started handing out various sanctions based on the player’s track record. Two week suspensions are being handed out for first time offenders, with additional penalties given for any further offenses eventually leading to a permanent ban. Sanctioned players are also getting rolled back, removing all progress earned with the exploit to be reset.
Part of the issue with this exploit, and why Massive was so keen on removing the progression for flagged players, is due to the SHD mechanic. After finishing theWarlords of New York expansion campaignand hitting the maximum level,The Division 2adds a new Strategic Homeland Division progression system, where leveling up earns players a passive bonus to things like health, damage, shields, and much more. It’s a system that is reminiscent of Paragon Levels inDiablo, and asDivisionplayers were able to abuse and exploit that allowed them to unnaturally level the SHD, they would have an unfair advantage over other players who don’t have all of those bonuses.
In the meantime, Ubisoft has plenty ofDivisionrelated content still planned. WhileThe Division 3doesn’t appear to be in the cards, players will be seeing the mobile titleResurgenceas well as anew standalone experience calledThe Division: Heartland, which seems to heavily lean into the extraction shooter Dark Zone style experience.
Tom Clancy’s The Division 2is now available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
