Backroom Cleaners · published
Welcome back, Cleaners.
Encountering an unfamiliar entity during an operation can lead to poor decisions, equipment loss, and personnel casualties.
Do not assume that two entities should be handled the same way simply because they look similar.
Review the following information before deployment.
Entities observed on CCTV in the Lobby (Level 0)
Excerpt from Researcher HE-24's personal recording device in the Lobby (Level 0)
Some footage was damaged during recovery.
The number of entities visible on screen may not reflect the actual number present in the area.
Entities encountered after deployment are classified into four threat levels based on their aggression, difficulty of response, and potential damage.
Do not judge an entity's threat level by size alone.
Always prioritize the AXIOM classification assigned to the entity.
Entities commonly encountered in operational areas and generally manageable through standard combat procedures.
However, does not mean safe.
Multiple entities attacking simultaneously or appearing alongside entities of other threat levels can cause the situation to deteriorate rapidly.
Entities capable of restricting Cleaner movement, disrupting formation, or employing specialized attack methods.
Avoid engaging alone. Maintain awareness of your team's position and prioritize these entities when the situation requires it.
Entities that cannot be quickly neutralized with standard weaponry or are capable of posing a significant threat across the operational area.
When encountered, concentrate team firepower and first secure enough space to evade incoming attacks.
Attempting a solo engagement for personal recognition will not be reflected in your performance evaluation.
It will be reflected in your casualty report.
Entities with limited observational data or whose complete records are not authorized for general Cleaner access.
Engagement and investigation procedures for these entities will be issued separately when necessary.
AXIOM classifies certain mutated entities found within the Backrooms as ‘Parasytes’.
Parasytes merge with the biological tissue of a host and undergo rapid mutation. Depending on the specimen, their tentacles may function as sensory organs, means of locomotion, or offensive weapons.
Do not assume that an entity is unable to detect you simply because it lacks visible eyes.
All Parasytes observed to date have displayed hostile behavior toward intruders.
Classification:
Image captured within the entity's detection range
Parasyte attacks can reach farther than expected.
These close-range entities are commonly encountered throughout the Lobby.
Head Parasytes attack targets directly in front of them using tentacles extending from the head.
Arm Parasytes use a heavily mutated arm to deliver wide sweeping attacks against nearby Cleaners.
Do not close the distance directly in front of a Head Parasyte.
If an Arm Parasyte pulls its enlarged arm backward, prepare for an incoming attack and move out of its effective range.
Whenever possible, neutralize both variants before they enter close range.
Classification:
Hopping Turrets are commonly found throughout the Lobby
Watch for Crawling Turrets in areas with limited visibility.
Despite severe damage to their bodies, these entities retain the ability to attack from range.
Hopping Turrets move using their deformed lower bodies and fire projectiles from the head.
Crawling Turrets lack a lower body entirely, dragging themselves forward with their arms while performing similar ranged attacks.
Different methods of locomotion do not mean different offensive capabilities.
If the opening in the head or face begins to spread apart, prepare for an incoming projectile.
Avoid standing in a straight line with your teammates. Use nearby structures to block incoming projectiles.
Remain alert for entities approaching below your normal line of sight.
Classification: Spitters launch acidic material stored within their bodies, restricting the areas in which Cleaners can safely move.
The discharged material may remain at the point of impact for some time, and a severely wounded specimen may create additional hazards in its immediate surroundings.
If fluorescent liquid is visible on the floor, do not approach until it has completely dissipated.
Avoid contaminated areas and prioritize eliminating the Spitter from range whenever possible.
If the entity begins moving erratically or leaking excessive amounts of fluid, create distance immediately.
There is no need to approach the body simply to confirm the kill.
Classification: The Spear uses multiple tentacles extending from its abdomen to restrain a single Cleaner and restrict their movement.
A restrained Cleaner may be unable to escape without assistance. Delayed intervention can place the entire team at risk.
If the Spear opens its abdomen and begins preparing its tentacles, move away from its frontal arc.
If a teammate is restrained, provide immediate assistance.
Avoid encountering this entity while separated from the rest of your team.
Regularly check the positions of your teammates, even if you hear no call for help.*
*They may no longer be able to ask for it.
Classification:
Guardians move using massive armored tentacles and have been observed shielding the advance of smaller entities.
Portions of their outer shell are durable enough to withstand conventional gunfire.
If a Guardian is blocking a passage, remain alert for additional entities advancing behind it.
Do not waste sustained fire on heavily armored sections. Reposition and look for exposed areas.
If the Guardian lowers its body or raises its massive tentacles, immediately create space around the entity.
Watch for rocks or chunks of concrete thrown by the entity.
Do not become so focused on the Guardian that you lose track of the entities behind it.
Species: Bacteria
Classification: The Bacteria King is believed to be the largest bacterial colony observed to date.
However, AXIOM has no record of successfully recovering a sample from the Bacteria King.
Most available information is based on bodycam footage recovered from researchers who encountered the entity several years ago, supplemented by limited field observations.
The most recent sighting occurred deep within a specific sector of the Lobby.
Widespread anomalous contamination has been observed around the area, and the entity has never been recorded moving beyond what appears to be a fixed territory.
The reason for this behavior remains unknown.
Recent observations also indicate that the entity's appearance has changed from earlier records.
Engaging it based solely on previously collected data is therefore strongly discouraged.
If you encounter an entity believed to be the Bacteria King, do not initiate an unauthorized engagement.
AXIOM has not yet established a standardized combat protocol for this entity.
Record the following information whenever operational conditions allow.
The entity's location and direction of movement*
*
Changes in the surrounding environment*
*
Observed behavior*
*
Any available video or audio records*
*
Gathering additional information on this entity is currently one of AXIOM's primary field research objectives.
Information gathering must be prioritized as a step toward a safer future.
Submit all recovered records to the AXIOM Research Division upon your return.
Entities sharing the same classification may still display differences in physical mutation and behavior.
If you encounter a specimen that does not match existing records, submit all relevant footage and data to the AXIOM Research Division once the area has been secured.
If the area cannot be secured, prioritize your return over data recovery.
Lost equipment can be replaced.
Trained Cleaners can also be replaced, but the paperwork is considerably more complicated.
This guide introduced AXIOM's threat classifications and several of the entities you may encounter during operations.
The absence of an entity from this document should not be interpreted as confirmation that it does not exist.
Additional observation records and field reports will be released as they pass the appropriate authorization procedures.
The Backroom Cleaners Closed Beta is scheduled for late August.
Apply for the Closed Beta through the Steam Store page and stay tuned for further operational updates.
Review the basic response procedures for each entity before your first deployment.
And remember.
Just because you spotted the entity first does not mean it hasn't already spotted you.
Our next orientation will cover guidelines for the operational use of Bacteria by Cleaners.
— AXIOM Corporation
Personnel Management Division