The banned parts list for this tournament is particularly interesting.
Heads: CR-H05XS-EYE3
Cores: CR-C83UA – REGULATION RULE: This core is only banned if hangers parts are to be utilized.
Arms: A09-LEMUR2, YA10-LORIS
Booster: CR-B83TP
Insides: All ECM makers
Extensions: All Energy Mags
Back Weapon: WB31B-PEGASUS 、WB27O-HARPY2
Right Arm Weapon: CR-WH79H3
Left Arm Weapon: CR-WH79H3
Hangars: CR-WH01HP, YWH14PU-ROC4, WR12PU-ROC2
REGULATION: Hover legs are exempt from the Frame-Part ban rule
REGULATION: Tank Legs are exempt from Frame-Part Ban rules with exception to the Regulation addendum regarding CR-C83UA hangers.
Information and HUD
[ Enemy Data OFF ]
The tournament is open to those who are relatively new to competitive Last Raven.
For more information on the rules and how to register, check the full post on our forums.
The Japanese Armored Core community just concluded an intense and very entertaining tournament for Armored Core: Verdict Day. Check out their recording, and congratulations to the winner.
Raven Republic gets with the times to bring you original Armored Core content on live streaming and video. Check out this compilation of some casual match videos on our official YouTube channel.
You can also catch us live on our official Twitch channel.
In an effort to further organize the flow of information here at Raven Republic, we’d also like to let you know of the existence of our discussion platforms:
We’d like to let all Ravens/NEXTs/mercs know that Armored Core Universe is back online after a long dormant period. After an almost five-year hiatus, the site opens its doors to the public once again. Just like here in RR, ACU’s forums have been a source of AC knowledge, references, and guides, and it has a community of players that call it home.
In related news, AC veteran TMRaven from ACU has released the latest version of his arm weapon tier list for Armored Core: Last Raven. This is a handy reference to have for creating and refining much of your designs. We should know – RR has used Last Raven as the game of choice for our last 6 PACTs.
Mighty thanks to TM, and for everyone else, please give ACU a visit!
The full transcript is up on Gematsu, but a few choice excerpts stand out to us:
1. On why FromSoftware took so long to release another Armored Core title
Mori: “It’s been 10 years since the last title in the series was released. Can you explain to us why it has taken so long to develop this new title?”
Ogura: “There was never any intention to leave this large a gap. We’ve made a number of titles in the interim, and seen a lot of extremely talented developers grow into their roles. Many of us, including Mr. Miyazaki, our CEO, and myself as well, of course, have always wanted to create a new Armored Core title. So there was never really any question that one day we would return to the series. The only real obstacle standing between us and the development of a new title was that our company always had so many different titles on the go, and we had to make sure that our resources were appropriately distributed. And, unfortunately, it took quite a long time before we reached the situation that we were ready to begin.”
2. Miyazaki will not be the director of this title
Mori: “I see. You mentioned Mr. Miyazaki there, and I understand that he is not the director of this latest title. Can you tell us what his involvement has been?”
Ogura: “His title for this game is ‘Initial Game Director,’ which means he directed the initial phases of the game’s development. Obviously he didn’t do that alone, but he worked together with people like Kenneth Chan, co-director and producer of Fires of Rubicon, as well as a range of other developers, to establish the game’s foundation. This includes such elements as map design, action fundamentals, and other core elements at the game’s heart.”
3. Pushing for greater player freedom in terms of controls and customization (looking forward to seeing how open the game systems will be)
Mori: “What has been the major developmental focus for this Armored Core title?”
Ogura: “We were determined to take advantage of FromSoftware’s experience and know-how to really establish freedom for the player in terms of what can be done with game controls and the customization that lies at the series’ core. That was the key point we focused on. When you play the game, you will see how changing parts affects the action elements. The action and customization elements really do work together symbiotically, and I really think this is the most important thing. Defining the parameters that govern this relationship was absolutely key.”
4. AC VI will not be a direct sequel to previous titles
Mori: “Speaking of previous titles in the series, such as Armored Core V, for example, is there a connection between them and this latest title?”
Ogura: “In terms of actual storyline, there is no direct connection between V and this latest title, which means there is no need to have played previous titles in the series. However, the fundamental concept at the heart of the Armored Core series, involving the free assembly and customization of parts to create your own mech, remains very much a part of this title. We have prioritized this aspect of the series throughout the development process, and combined this system with the know-how and experience our teams have acquired in the development of FromSoftware’s other acclaimed titles to produce a brand-new Armored Core action game that we believe will satisfy our users.”
5. Online multiplayer confirmed (but of course):
Mori: “In terms of other issues fans have asked about, I wanted to discuss what kind of multiplayer elements the game has.”
Ogura: “As focus has been pleased on producing the most dynamic action possible, we have restricted story mode gameplay to single-player only, but as an online element, we are also planning the implementation of battles in an online arena. We plan to release more details concerning this in the coming days.”
6. Emblem sharing is back, and a new weathering system will be implemented:
Mori: “That sounds fascinating. Are there any other online features in the game?”
Ogura: “There is one particular feature I am often asked about, so I will mention it now. This title features so-called emblems, as was the case in prior series titles, which are like logos of sorts that you can use to mark your mech. For some time now, players have had the ability to freely create their own emblem, and from the previous title, these can be exchanged online with other players. This will be implemented this time as well, which means that in addition to the parameters of mechs that you can customize, the visual elements as well, in terms of coloring and weathering and the like, can also be freely customized, allowing you to truly create a unique mech that is all yours in performance and appearance.”
Overall, while we didn’t get anything truly new and groundbreaking, it’s still a positive sign that FromSoft is being very open like this to the AC fanbase. Seems like all is well in development.
A recently translated interview regarding Armored Core 1’s development was released by Shmuplations. It gives a very good account on how Armored Core came about, and how Shoji Kawamori shaped the style that made iconic designs the franchise is known for.
Some interesting choice quotes from the interview that we’d like to clarify on:
—How did you divide up the different design components for the mechs?
Kawamori: It took a lot of time to figure out how finely we should categorize the parts. There were programming limitations to consider, as well as game balance issues. Currently, we have the core torso unit, the arm unit extending from the shoulder to the hand, the option for weapon loadouts on shoulders (left and right), then the head and lower body units.
The lower body unit, in particular, has a wealth of options, from bi-pedal human type legs, to avian-style joints with reverse articulation, and even four-legged mechs and tank-tread types. In the beginning, we’d planned even more categories: the arm alone would have been comprised of three units (a shoulder, arm, and hand unit). But that would have been WAY too much work. (laughs) And the potential combinations would have become truly astronomical then.
Interesting that Extensions became a thing in the PS2 era, when technology finally allowed them to take one smaller step to their initial ideal version of Armored Core design. Maybe From can reach out into its deep past and add those arm and hand weapon mounts this time.
—You said there was a lot of trial and error, but at what point did you ask Kawamori to do the mecha design?
Karasawa: We created a prototype with a robot, and once that was moving and able to fire missiles, then we started to see how this would shape up as an action game. That was when I contacted Kawamori. We don’t have a “mecha expert” among our internal staff at FromSoftware, so the mech design at that point looked like dolls constructed from cardboard boxes. (laughs) However, although the mechs looked crappy then, the movement itself was well done, and I thought it would be a shame to waste that on lame designs, so we decided to contact someone who could make the mechs look right.
The early, pre-Kawamori designs can be seen in Armored Core’s (very early) PV right here:
“Armurrred Cuorrr… In the summer of ’97 you will meet your makurrr…. yurrrself!”
On January 28, 2023, the Philippines’ newly-revived Gundam EXVS community held a monthly play-off at Playbook Circuit Makati, with nearly two dozen participants in a community meetup on a mock tournament. The Gundam EXVS Philippines community reached out to us, as they have an interest in Armored Core as well, so we had to go check their community out.
The EXVS mini-tournament used an MMA-style ladder bracket with a round-robin system and will move on to a double elimination format later. PS4s lined the venue setup with an equal number of flatscreen TVs, a giant projector on the wall to view matches, and Playbook’s own streaming channel online on Twitch for anyone to view online.
The event was well-organized and serious, but also had a fun atmosphere. There was also a PS3 set up with a copy of Armored Core for anyone to play, which this author gladly tinkered with outside viewing matches.
The community is also excited for the release of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon and can’t wait to create their own ACs.
Congratulations to the winners, and may fortune be with you in Rubicon 3 when Armored Core VI is released!
You can find the Gundam EXVS community page here if you’re interested in joining. If you’re interested in booking your own game event, check out Playbook’s socials here.
Developed by RedRoryOTheGlen, this indie game project combines elements of previous Armored Core titles, featuring mech action and a garage for tinkering with your mechs. Movement and combat mechanics in particular are heavily inspired by ACV.
In his words, the game “started out as a learning project to make things walk in Unity so it’s still called ‘Walker’ in places…” but honestly, its already got the rough foundations of an Armored Core game, especially the 4th and 5th generation releases.
The yellow bar above HEALTH is your ARMOR. As long as you have any amount of ARMOR, damage to your HEALTH will be reduced by a certain amount dependent on the PENETRATION of the damaging weapon. If the weapon has a penetration of 20%, you take 20% of damage to HEALTH and 80% of the damage to ARMOR. Once your ARMOR is depleted, you’ll take 100% damage to HEALTH. Enemies also have armor and you may see the red !ARMOR! alert flash occasionally if an enemy you hit has some and reduces your damage.
STABILITY is the white bar between your HEALTH and ARMOR. You have a specific amount of it (standard is 1250) and regain it faster depending on your stabilizer as well as whether you are grounded or moving. Your STABILITY is reduced when you take damage or when performing certain maneuvers (jumping, bursting, wall-kicking). If your STABILITY is greater than 1000, your weapons will be more accurate and fire faster. On the other hand, if your STABILITY is lower than 1000, your weapons will have higher spread and fire slower. Some weapons are more affected by STABILITY than others.
