Clearance

A Blue Clearance keypad

GATE, and by extension the GATE Cascade Research Facility, utilize a color-coded Clearance system for restricting access to information and locations within their Facilities.

Overview

Clearance levels correspond to the color of their respective keypads, which can be bypassed with the use of a Keypad Hacker.

Curiously, despite the clearance restrictions, the GATE Pal will still reveal information about People or Subjects when they are encountered, perhaps due to an "emergency mode".

Clearance Levels

There are currently six clearance levels in the game. As the player progresses through the facilities, the clearance level required to unlock new areas typically increases.

Blue Clearance (Level 1)

Blue Clearance seems to be the most common clearance for GATE staff. Used primarily in the Office Sector, and can be bypassed with the Keypad Hacker.

This level seems to cover slightly elevated privileges for security personnel or logistics staff in offices and residential areas which need to access and operate surveillance monitors, security doors, and dangerous equipment such as Weapons or Vehicles.

Curiously, the bathrooms in Manufacturing West's garage area are locked behind a Keypad of Level 1 clearance.

Orange Clearance (Level 2)

Used primarily in Manufacturing West, and can be bypassed with the Keypad Hacker (Tier 2).

Violet Clearance (Level 3)

Violet Clearance seems to be the primary access rank given to members of the research teams working in the Labs and attached Wildlife Pens. Used primarily in Cascade Laboratories, and can be bypassed with the Keypad Hacker (Tier 3).

Red Clearance (Level 4)

Used primarily in the Security Sector, and can be bypassed with the Keypad Hacker (Tier 4).

Yellow Clearance (Level 5)

This level of clearance seems to be reserved for high-security and secret areas. A single Level 5 Keypad can be found on the top level of the Containment Megalift. Used primarily in the Hydroplant, and can be bypassed with the Keypad Hacker (Tier 5).

Black Clearance (Level 6)

Black clearance is reserved for the sensitive parts of the Reactors sector. In addition to the basic keypad and keycard slot, every Level 6 keypad features a retinal scan, and are called Retinal Scanners instead of Keypads. Level 6 retinal scanners can be bypassed with the Gatekey (Tier 6).