The Box of Infinite Complexity is a device that is found in Crankshaft cavern in Kaptar. It originates from the russian submarine in the Submarine cave, as it is found listed in the Submarine Parts Salvage Log as a "retro encabulator."[1] The reason it was brought to Kaptar is unknown.
Description[]
At the top of the grey metalic panel of the box is a row of 20 seven-segment displays with incandescent filaments that can be filled in with numbers. Below them are various arrangements of rotary switches, buttons and toggle swiches, as well as a double column of green lights numbered vertically from 1 to 7, with two lights at the left and the right of each nuber. The switches and buttons produce various changes in the combinations on these lights. All of the green lights can be turned on except for the one on the right side of the number 5. The letter buttons spell БЛЕИК БЬЕРКЕ, which is russian writing for Blake Bjerke, the name of the design artist.
A battery fixed to the right of the box is clipped to wires going into the device. The battery is a sealed type that can operate upright or even when slanted vertically.
In game role[]
The Box of Infinite Complexity appears to be a complicated puzzle, but in fact, it has no bearing whatsoever on the game or story. The back of the box is stamped with the Russian phrase "заниматься бессмысленным делом",[2] which translates to "boondoggle", a pointless task.
Initially the Box is found in an upright position in the cave and can be easily inspected from both sides. When access to the overhead catwalk of the cave has been gained, a ramp has to be lowered to enable access to the catwalk from the rest of the cave. This causes the Box to be raised upwards in a slanted position, as it is connected to the opposite arm of the lowered ramp. Even so, the panel of the Box is accessible from the top of the stairs, numbers can still be entered and buttons operated.
If the Box of Infinite Complexity code is entered by pressing the buttons, the Box will fall to the ground, granting the Sweet Revenge achievement.
Easter egg codes[]
From Obduction version 1.6.0 onwards, after the box is made to fall from the ramp, when one of a number of Easter Egg codes is entered in the display of the Box, it causes an image to be projected from the slide projector at Farley's Community Center. For a list of these codes and the images they correspond to, see Easter Egg Codes.