Locating Carter’s PC Key Code in Directive 8020

In Directive 8020, progressing through the narrative often requires bypassing locked doors and secured computers. When you are moving quickly through a section to avoid detection, knowing where to look for key codes is essential. Trying to brute-force thousands of potential passwords is not only inefficient but dangerous, as you risk alerting alien lifeforms before finding the correct entry.

The key code to Carter's PC is one of the first you will need to discover in Episode 2. Fortunately, this is one of the more straightforward puzzles to solve. You only need to input four numbers rather than a complex string of characters. Once you identify the correct clue, you can access his files almost immediately.

The Solution: Date and Month Combination

To unlock Carter's PC, you need to find a specific post-it note stuck to the front of his monitor. The note displays the word "Luna's" with an arrow pointing toward the screen. This clue directs you to look for a date associated with that name.

Here is the step-by-step process to find the code:

  1. Leave Carter's Room: Walk out into the Crew Quarters.
  2. Turn Right: Look along the wall to find a calendar.
  3. Inspect the Calendar: Walk up to it and press the left mouse button.
  4. Read the Date: The calendar will show the month of August. On the 28th, the entry "Luna's Birthday" is written in bold letters.

Combining the month and the date gives you the necessary numbers. You can input the numbers in either order, as both will successfully unlock the computer:

  • 2808
  • 0828

After Unlocking the PC

Interact with the computer again after entering the code, and a cutscene will trigger. This sequence shows Simms walking into the Crew Quarters and presents a new objective instructing you to follow her.

Please note that you cannot interact with Carter's PC a second time once this cutscene has played. The computer's primary purpose is to trigger this moment with Simms and raise Eisele's suspicions.

Continue by following Simms through the Crew Quarters and into the Lounge. There, you will find her standing in front of a monitor displaying a log of her conversation with Carter. From here, you can continue the story and advance your mission.