As Armored Core V arrived, Raven Republic finally had its chance to shine on the global stage. Despite the relatively small numbers in the ACV and VD player base worldwide, the tradition of playing Armored Core purely for the joy of it continued.
Our journey into AC’s fifth generation was vibrant and diverse. Initially, Raven Republic consisted of seasoned members, friends, and active participants from our real-life gatherings. Over time, the community attracted new members from both the Philippines and abroad who shared RR’s core values – having fun with Armored Core while maintaining a touch of competitiveness.
Accounts from our later members, including HellHeart, ZephKyumz, Arrui, Zefyr, Gradlein, and Jein highlight their experiences as they infused their MMO guild management expertise and passion for giant robots into the clan-focused gameplay of ACV and VD.
Central to RR’s identity was its participation in countless freebattle game modes rather than map conquests. The community’s enthusiasm drew outsiders to join in, resulting in RR’s reputation spreading within the online gaming community. Rivalries often transformed into friendships, with the focus shifting from maps to the camaraderie of freebattle matches. Notably, one cherished member initially belonged to a rival group but was won over by RR’s conversations and eventually became an integral part of the community.
The growth of RR’s numbers led to the creation of Raven Republic 2 within the game’s team function to accommodate the active players, while RR1 remained a space for legacy pilots to relax, play, and hang out. The two groups alternated as they placed their distinct emblems across the map.
During the VD era, while RR took conquest seriously, the freebattle environment remained relaxed. The community prided itself on clutch victories, where RR members prevailed despite being outnumbered.
Among RR’s amusing antics were tank drag races, head transformation recordings, and Overed Weapon demonstrations. Recruitment was an intriguing process, occasionally leading to unintentional curbstomps of new players during matches.
For RR members, the best memories were simply the hours spent playing together – small moments like recording head transformations or playfully nudging each other’s ACs at the end of a sortie. These light-hearted interactions elevated friendships and strengthened the bonds that endure today, allowing members to enjoy diverse games together.
The community also gained recognition for their UNACs, with signing up for the forums becoming a mandatory requirement for official RR membership.
A notable lesson learned during the fifth generation was that practice and dedication breed improvement. Members also discovered the importance of finding like-minded individuals, diversifying their builds, and aiming to complement each other’s strengths within the team. Unlike one-on-one dynamics in the older titles, the fifth generation emphasized teamwork. The connection formed among members while playing AC holds a special place in their hearts.
The Decade Without a New Armored Core
The ties within the RR crew extended beyond the game, marking milestones in each other’s lives. More than just a game, the connections forged through playing Armored Core led to invitations to each other’s weddings, anniversaries, and birthday celebrations. Some even became extended family members.
Raven Republic maintained an unbroken streak of annual meetups and Christmas parties until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, leading to a revival in 2022 with limited participation due to ongoing pandemic concerns.
During this time, RR continued returning to the game that united them, equipped with a fading PS2 and a CRT monitor, ready to relive the experience. Fun gimmicks like blind attack AC matches, guided by handers/operators, added a lighthearted touch to our gatherings. Generally, it was more of a social gathering, a celebration of friendship united by a common love for Armored Core.
As the pandemic unfolded in 2020, in-person gatherings ceased, and Discord became the primary means of communication. Online movie viewings served as a coping mechanism to keep the bonds together, but it doesn’t have the same effect as meeting in person. A revival attempt at meeting in-person in 2022 had small success, but challenges persisted.
The Month We Almost Died
In November 2022, a crucial announcement shook the community: Insert Discord Posts here
While the decision was understandable given the community’s shift to Discord, Facebook, and real-life interactions, the forums held a wealth of information accumulated over decades – including AC designs, emblems, tournament records, research, photos, and most importantly, memories. This article greatly benefited from the rich posts in the forums.
Just as the main site and forum were on the brink of shutdown, a miraculous turn of events occurred: Insert Game Awards AC6 Reveal
As of this posting on Insert Date here, the Armored Core community has experienced a revival unlike any before. The past few months have felt like the day when assembling six Ravens under one roof seemed like a dream come true, with excitement and anticipation running high. The hype surrounding Armored Core 6 is only beginning within the gaming community.
The common thread that united us was the simple joy of playing. The near-death experience of the previous year highlighted the importance of preserving the tales of the past pilots. As RR embarks on a new journey with Armored Core 6, looking back provides a roadmap for moving forward – a way to avoid past mistakes or to find inspiration and hope. It demonstrates that even the smallest friendships can grow into enduring connections that last for years.
Both old and new members are coming together, and while the future remains uncertain, the shared passion for giant robots, games, and friendship will undoubtedly carry us forward.
Ultimately, we are all united by the sheer happiness of being part of this journey. Thank you for taking the time to delve into the extensive and authentic history of Raven Republic.
