The Filter

How The Filter Works

The Filter places workers at a high-speed conveyor sorting terminal in an industrial processing facility. As items flow rapidly down the central chute, participants must categorize and route each item into the correct containment bins.

Core Mechanics

Complete Item Classification Reference Table

Understanding whether an object counts as Art or Technology requires looking at its primary cultural purpose rather than its base physical material:

Phase-by-Phase Walkthrough

Phase 1: Establishing the Lever Reflexes

Before the conveyor starts moving, identify your control mappings:

• Incinerate (Art): Left Click / Left D-Pad / A Key.
• Recycle (Technology): Right Click / Right D-Pad / D Key.

During the first 5 seconds, conveyor speed is gentle. Use this calibration period to confirm your keybinds. Never try to sort items while they are still in the dark chute; wait until the item crosses the illuminated inspection plate.

Phase 2: Building and Protecting the Streak Multiplier

Every correct categorization adds base points and increments your streak meter. Once you achieve 10 consecutive accurate sorts, your multiplier reaches 3x, doubling your point accumulation speed.

• If an ambiguous object appears (such as a framed photo featuring a machine), pause for a split second. Missing an item costs zero points, whereas routing an item into the wrong bin immediately resets your multiplier back to 1x.
• Keep your eyes trained 10 centimeters ahead of your sorting arm, scanning the incoming belt rather than watching previously sorted items drop.

Phase 3: Surviving the High-Speed Belt Surge

During the final 15 seconds, belt velocity accelerates significantly:

• Shift from visual appreciation to rapid binary classification.
• Flat rectangular wood or canvas silhouettes route to the Left Lever (Incinerate).
• Metallic angular green or black silicon shapes route to the Right Lever (Recycle).
• Maintain a rhythmic cadence rather than panic-flicking the levers.

“Just another day at the job.” Achievement Guide (30.5% Global Unlock)

The Just another day at the job. trophy unlocks upon winning a round with 100% sorting accuracy:

1. Zero Faults Permitted: Even a single misrouted item invalidates the trophy condition for that round.
2. Accept Passive Bypasses: If an item moves too quickly for you to identify its category with 100% certainty, let it roll off the belt untouched. Letting an item pass without pulling a lever does not count as an incorrect classification in the accuracy calculation.
3. Pacing Over Speed: In a 2-player lobby, as long as you process 18 to 22 items with 100% accuracy while your opponent makes a single mistake, you will win the match and pop the achievement.

Split-Screen Viewport Architecture in Local Play (v2.0)

In Version 2.0 local couch play (see our How to Play with Friends Guide for connecting controllers), The Filter divides the screen into individual split-screen work terminals. Each player looks directly at their private conveyor feed.

• Independent Feeder Chutes: Each workstation receives a unique randomized sequence of items. An opponent receiving three easy paintings in a row does not mean your conveyor will follow the same pattern.
• Audio Feedback Differentiation: Every correct sort plays a distinct chime in your audio channel, while errors produce a loud buzzer. In local multiplayer, keep your focus disciplined on your own quadrant.

Common Sorting Pitfalls

For additional logistics and conveyor-based challenge guides, consult our walkthrough for Forklift Certified. For controller button layout details, review our Controls and Gamepad Guide.