The Raven Republic
Late updates seem to be the norm around here. Gotta change that for the New Year, RR!
Just this past December 28 to 29, a number of us went to have some R&R (the real R&R) over at Tagaytay Highlands. Once again, care of the kind sforzando, we stayed at a pretty nice condominium unit with all sorts of activities and good eats planned.
The majority of the Armored Core fanbase is abuzz with the new AC game that From Software has announced. What started out as a mysterious counter on the Armored Core site has now erupted into a full scale information feeding frenzy. Named “Armored Core: for Answer” (as far as I know, anyway), the game deviates from the usual premise of single player missions and eventually online versus by finally putting in what some fans have been clamoring for for a long time: coop missions. In huge, wide open spaces. Against huge, wide bosses/fortresses. With transforming mechs. Online.
PACT III: ah, the day finally arrived. After planning the new regulations for so long, we finally got to try it out in a real tournament situation. And the results confirmed what was lingering there all along, but no one really pointed out… that the format was pure genius. Forcing players to create three distinct (and by distinct, I mean really distinct) ACs was the key to refreshing the way we approached the game as a whole.
Think about it: every round, a different AC to face. That means readjusting everything: your strategy, the tactics you will use, what kind of game you’re going to play, and so on, all while taking into account your opponent’s personal and general playing style. Quite a challenge, and as beastkiller said, it really forces you out of your comfort zone, which is always a good thing.
The matches were great. We had good variety of designs and playstyles.
Eventually we had a winner, and surprise surprise, who else would it be but the best among us? Congrats Leperman!
Click on the image below to see the whole story of the brackets. If the right side doesn’t make any sense, well let’s just say we have a winner, and leave it at that. Otherwise explanations would take all day.
In continuation of PACT III, we’re holding 3.1 this Saturday, November 10. Place is still sforzando‘s residence.
Honor the system and don’t change your ACs guys. For the new entrants, unfortunately you’ll only be able to officially rank through the loser’s bracket.
Speaking of the system, we’ll be using the new way of scoring matches, so you better try and obliterate your opponents every time in all the ways the game allows it.
For the four semifinalists: me, Lord_Leperman, maitreya and NiX, good luck and godspeed!
Let’s fight like gentlemen!
PACT III
When: October 27 (primary tournament) AND November 10 (loser’s bracket)
Where: sforzando‘s residence
Time: Approximately 1 PM
Portal is now skinned, so for the most part the aesthetics going into the Republic are done.
Sophie’s finally made her appearance! Although I must say, being black and white doesn’t exactly strike the eye as much as a colored version will. Keep refreshing to see all her… err… flavors.
As for the logo, well, if someone can make us a 800×100 pixel banner (or 800×150 pixels at the most), well, that’d be grand.
Sembreaks sure do give you lots of time to finish your stuff.
…to fill out a survey. Supposedly it’ll help determine the flavor of future games. This is the first time I’ve ever actually seen them make an effort to make their “listening” visible.
Go here to fill out the form.
Note that the above link is already the Google Translated version. The original version, if for some reason you really want to go to it, is here.
First spotted by Thinimus, I believe. Credits to him. See his thread on RH for more details.
Still reading? Stop. Go on, click the link and do your part. You know you want to.
You get a nice shiny wallpaper for it, so go on!
Sorry J.E., but I’m sticking to being a fan of Mozy. I mean good lord, this guy (or girl) is the master of digitally painting ACs. You said it before: the movement, the depth and the drama is there. Not to mention some good old-fashioned brush techniques.
If you’ve never seen him/her paint, then you’re missing out on a LOT. That’s no understatement. Even if you’re not a hardcore Armored Core fan.
So as an act of public service and overall do-good-ing, here, a sample of the artist’s talent.
Hungry for more? If you want to do the rest of the stuff justice you’ll look at each one and watch how they come to be.
Mozy, if you’re reading this and don’t like being pimped, just shoot me a quick email and I’ll quickly turn this post into happy-land links instead. If you’re not or you do, then the world is a much better place.
Zzz…