The Desert Research Lab, also known as Tierra Robada Research Lab or just generically as the Desert Building, refers to an unnamed facility in far northeastern Tierra Robada, lying on the border of Bone County and to the northwest of the Ghost Town. The location comprises of a single multi-storey central building and a large parking lot capable of accommodating many vehicles. It is unknown if the Lab is a government asset or is privately owned.
There are no discernible signs or logos around the facility and as such, the installation is completely unnamed. However, inspecting the game files reveals the building model to be des_reslab_.[1] Using existing model naming conventions as a base, it is a safe assumption that this abbreviation stands for Desert Research Lab. The complete lack of labeling on the building's exterior or any commercial signage on the access road implies the facility is intended to be hidden from the public and its research projects may be of a clandestine nature. Adding credence to this is the fact that the location is not named on any official map. However, this theory conflicts with the building's location in close proximity to a public main road. The Lab and surrounding area is completely underutilized in the game and is never mentioned. It is unknown if it would have played a role in any cut content as no leftover files that reference the location are present.
The facility appears to be built into the rock behind it, suggesting it may be larger than it appears and continue deep into the rock or even underground. Some have theorized that it may be the entry point of an underground military base and even connected to Area 69. When viewed through Blue Hell, the walls of the Desert Lab can be seen protruding further into the rock, although it is unlikely to be part of an underground network. A large concrete floor also fills up the entire area of the building, which has been claimed to be a possible interior for the building but is most likely just a continuation of the terrain piece of the exterior parking lot.
No pedestrians spawn around the building and vehicles only rarely use its access path. This gives the impression that the facility is abandoned or perhaps in the final stages of construction. It is possible that the Lab is in a quarantined state and is not currently operational. It is notable that one of the points marked on the UFO Map is just a few meters immediately south of the building. This has led some to believe the Lab may be involved in UFO research. While the Lab's close proximity to a location marked on the UFO map may support this theory, there appears to be no facilities on-site capable of storing or receiving large aircraft.
The location was also heavily investigated by myth hunters for links to the Epsilon Program. Between 2005 and 2006, a series of images now known from their watermark as the 4 AM Series began to appear in GTA fan forums, apparently originating from an Italian myth hunting site.[2] The images show CJ wearing a specific outfit and heading to the lab at a certain time to trigger a meeting of Epsilonists, with the final photo showing the building with a blue filter. The images were later determined to be a hoax because of several errors, such as the Epsilon Program member driving a red Glendale and not a red truck. There are no references to the cult around the lab, nor does the cult mention any facilities in the desert.
While mystery still surrounds the facility to this day, it is most likely the building is merely a laboratory specializing in biological research and is intentionally isolated to insulate the general public from potentially dangerous pathogens.
Gallery
Video Investigation
 GTA SA Minor Myths 3 Police Brutality, Desert Building & Ghost Guard |
|---|