- Development Zone collectibles include GridLeaks, hidden documents, chipsets, and runner gift bags.
- GridLeaks flash visibly from a distance and must be destroyed by running through them mid-momentum.
- Chipsets fund Upgrade Chips in Faith's Traversal, Combat, and Gear skill branches.
- Map upgrades reveal markers for nearby collectibles — unlock these before grinding completion.
- District completion percentage only counts up when every collectible type is cleared.
Development Zone Collectibles Overview
The Development Zone is one of the trickier districts of Glass to fully complete in Mirror's Edge Catalyst. Its mix of construction scaffolding, half-finished towers, and exposed maintenance routes means collectibles are scattered across awkward vertical lines rather than clean rooftop grids. Before you start hunting, understand what you are looking for and how each type behaves.
There are four collectible categories that count toward district completion, and each rewards a different playstyle:
| Collectible | Type | How to Collect | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| GridLeaks | In-world | Run through and smash at speed | District completion % |
| Documents | Lore | Walk up and interact | Story log entries |
| Chipsets | Progression | Reach hard parkour spots | Upgrade Chips currency |
| Gift Bags | Hidden | Interact at hidden alcoves | District completion % |
Complete the main story missions that route you through the Development Zone first. Many areas are gated behind Mag Rope and Disruptor unlocks, and attempting a full sweep before you have both gadgets leads to frustrating dead ends.
Collectible Types and Where They Hide
Each collectible type follows predictable placement rules across the Development Zone. Learning these patterns turns a random search into a systematic sweep.
GridLeaks
- Flash and beep from long distances
- Placed along parkour lines, on billboards and scaffolds
- Must be smashed mid-run, not while walking
- Cluster near dash and time trial routes
Documents
- Found inside offices and maintenance rooms
- Often in interiors off the main rooftop path
- Added to your story log for later reading
- No time pressure — explore carefully
Chipsets
- Placed at hard-to-reach parkour spots
- Also rewarded from Dashes and Billboards
- Spent on Upgrade Chips in the skill tree
- Prioritize Traversal and Gear upgrades first
Gift Bags
- Hidden behind and below main routes
- Frequently require drop-downs and re-climbs
- Unmarked until map upgrades are active
- Contribute to overall 100% collection
GridLeaks specifically require momentum. If you approach one from a standstill, run a short build-up line first — a slow jog still destroys the device, but chaining several leaks in one unbroken line is dramatically faster for full sweeps.
Step-by-Step Sweep Route
Follow this systematic approach to clear the Development Zone without backtracking constantly. The method works for any district in Glass, but the specifics below target the construction-heavy layout here.
Unlock the Tools
Progress the main story until Faith has the Mag Rope and Disruptor. Fast travel to the nearest safe house adjacent to the Development Zone so failed climbs don't cost long detours.
Buy the Map Upgrades
Spend chipsets on the Gear-branch Exploration Markers so nearby collectibles appear on your map. This is the single biggest time-saver for any completion run.
Sweep Interiors First
Clear documents and gift bags inside buildings and maintenance rooms while you are not worried about momentum. Interiors are slow, methodical work — get them out of the way early.
Chain the GridLeaks
Mark a cluster of GridLeaks and build one continuous parkour line through them. Use wall-runs along the glass facades and the Mag Rope to swing across construction gaps without dropping to street level.
Clean Up Chipsets and Verify
Climb the hard-to-reach chipset locations last, then open the map and confirm every marker is cleared and the district completion bar is full.
Extended wall-runs along the long facades let you chain three or four GridLeaks in a single line. If you break Flow mid-sweep, restart the line from the beginning rather than limping to the next leak at low speed.
Completion Tracking and Rewards
Full district completion feeds directly into several achievements and your overall collection stat. The table below summarizes what clearing the Development Zone contributes to:
| Goal | Requirement | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| District completion | All collectibles in zone | ★★★☆☆ | Interiors take the longest |
| Gridunlocked trophy | Disable all GridLeak hubs citywide | ★★★☆☆ | Use map filters to find clusters |
| 100% collection stat | All types, all districts | ★★★★☆ | Combine with dashes and side quests |
| Upgrade Chips | Spend collected chipsets | ★★☆☆☆ | Traversal branch first is recommended |
Priority upgrades that make the sweep itself faster:
| Upgrade | Branch | Benefit for Collecting |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Turn | Traversal | Redirect momentum mid-line after missed leaks |
| Fast Climb | Traversal | Mantling ledges without breaking Flow |
| Mag Rope Enhancements | Gear | Reaches scaffold swing points and hidden alcoves |
| Exploration Markers | Gear | Reveals nearby collectibles on the map |
Earning high star ratings in Dashes and Time Trials inside and around the Development Zone rewards extra chipsets. If you fall short of upgrade currency during your sweep, run the local dashes before grinding rooftop spots.
Development Zone Sweep Checklist:
- Unlock Mag Rope and Disruptor
- Purchase Exploration Marker map upgrades
- Collect all hidden documents
- Smash every GridLeak in the district
- Recover all gift bags and chipsets
- Verify district completion at 100%
FAQ
Q: Do I need gadgets to reach all Development Zone collectibles in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
Yes. Several chipset and GridLeak placements are designed around Mag Rope swing points and Disruptor-gated routes. Play through the story until both gadgets are unlocked before starting a full sweep.
Q: How do GridLeaks count toward the Gridunlocked trophy?
Gridunlocked requires disabling all GridLeak hubs across Glass, not just one district. Clearing the Development Zone contributes its share; use the map filter to find remaining clusters in other districts.
Q: What is the best use of chipsets found in the Development Zone?
Spend them on Traversal upgrades like Quick Turn and Fast Climb first, then the Gear-branch Exploration Markers. These make both collection and general movement faster across every district.
Q: Can I complete the district before finishing the story?
You can collect in free roam as districts unlock, but the Development Zone's harder placements assume late-game gadgets. Waiting until the Mag Rope is fully upgraded saves significant retracing.