Tag: Armored Core VI

Armored Core VI Regulation 1.03.1 Released

Armored Core VI’s first big balance patch has arrived. Regulation 1.03.1 is a VERY meaty change, and it’s expected that all kinds of builds will rise and fall in effectiveness as we all play through the update and figure stuff out.

Personally, I haven’t had time to parse all the changes myself, but over in our Discord, heavy discussion is already underway. There’s even this handy breakdown of all the numbers that were changed (originally from Cleric’s Discord).

The following is directly lifted from the official blog post on Bandai Namco’s website. It’s a long one.

ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON – Regulation Update 1.03.1

ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON – Patch Notes 1.03.1

A new regulation patch (1.03.1) has been distributed to make gameplay balance adjustments and bug fixes. Please apply the latest patch before playing the game.

Targeted Platforms:
PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 / Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S / Steam

MAJOR ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE LATEST REGULATION UPDATE

Balance Adjustments

Weapon Units

EXPLOSIVE THROWER “DF-ET-09 TAI-YANG-SHOU”: increased Effective Range/Total Rounds, decreased Reload Time
LINEAR RIFLE “LR-036 CURTIS”: decreased Recoil/Charge Time
LINEAR RIFLE “LR-037 HARRIS”: increased Chg. Attack Power/Cooling, decreased Charge Time
SHOTGUN “SG-026 HALDEMAN”: decreased Direct Hit Adjustment
SHOTGUN “SG-027 ZIMMERMAN”: decreased Attack Power/Impact/Accumulative Impact/Direct Hit Adjustment
HANDGUN “HG-003 COQUILLETT”: increased Total Rounds
HANDGUN “HG-004 DUCKETT”: increased Total Rounds
BURST HANDGUN “MA-E-211 SAMPU”: increased Total Rounds
NEEDLE GUN “EL-PW-00 VIENTO”: increased Total Rounds
BAZOOKA “DF-BA-06 XUAN-GE”: increased Projectile Speed, decreased Reload Time
BAZOOKA “MAJESTIC”: increased Projectile Speed, decreased Reload Time
BAZOOKA “LITTLE GEM”: increased Projectile Speed, decreased Reload Time
DETONATING BAZOOKA “44-141 JVLN ALPHA”: increased Projectile Speed, decreased Reload Time
GRENADE “DF-GR-07 GOU-CHEN”: increased Total Rounds/Projectile Speed, decreased Reload Time. Rounds now explode upon reaching their Effective Range, even if they don’t make contact
GRENADE “DIZZY”: increased Total Rounds/Projectile Speed, decreased Reload Time. Effective Range also adjusted. Rounds now explode upon reaching their Effective Range, even if they don’t make contact
GRENADE “IRIDIUM”: increased Total Rounds/Projectile Speed, decreased Reload Time. Reduced sway caused by accumulated Recoil. Effective Range also adjusted. Rounds now explode upon reaching their Effective Range, even if they don’t make contact
PLASMA RIFLE “IA-C01W1: NEBULA”: decreased Chg. Attack Power/Chg. Impact/Chg. Accum. Impact, increased Charge Time
SIEGE HAND MISSILE “WS-5000 APERITIF”: increased Reload Time, decreased Guidance
GRENADE CANNON “EARSHOT”: decreased Reload Time. Rounds now explode upon reaching their Effective Range, even if they don’t make contact
GRENADE CANNON ”SONGBIRDS”: decreased Attack Power/Impact/Accumulative Impact. Rounds now explode upon reaching their Effective Range, even if they don’t make contact
STUN NEEDLE LAUNCHER “VE-60SNA”: decreased Impact/Accumulative Impact/Direct Hit Adjustment/Attack Power on consecutive attacks
LASER CANNON “VP-60LCS”: increased Total Rounds
DIFFUSE LASER CANNON “VP-60LCD”: increased Total Rounds
PULSE SHIELD LAUNCHER “EULE/60D”: increased Total Rounds/Pulse Shield Durability, decreased Weight/EN Load
LIGHT WAVE CANNON “IA-C01W3: AURORA”: decreased EN Load. Energy Firearm Spec now applies to this weapon
DUAL MISSILE “BML-G1/P31DUO-02”: increased Attack Power/Impact/Accumulative Impact/Guidance/Projectile Speed
DUAL MISSILE “BML-G1/P32DUO-03”: increased Attack Power/Impact/Accumulative Impact/Guidance/Projectile Speed
DUAL MISSILE “BML-G2/P08DUO-03”: increased Attack Power/Impact/Accumulative Impact/Guidance/Projectile Speed
ACTIVE HOMING MISSILE “BML-G3/P04ACT-01”: increased Guidance/Homing Lock Time/Projectile Speed
ACTIVE HOMING MISSILE “BML-G3/P05ACT-02”: increased Guidance/Homing Lock Time/Projectile Speed
NEEDLE MISSILE “EL-PW-01 TRUENO”: decreased Guidance. Projectiles now follow a stable trajectory
CORAL MISSILE “IB-C03W3: NGI 006”: decreased Chg. Attack Power/Chg. Impact/Chg. Accum. Impact/Direct Hit Adjustment
LASER ORBIT “45-091 ORBT”: increased Attack Power/Direct Hit Adjustment/Ideal Range/Effective Range/Projectile Speed
LASER TURRET “VP-60LT”: increased Projectile Speed/Laser Turret Attack Frequency

Frame Parts

HEAD “AH-J-124 BASHO”: increased System Recovery
HEAD “HD-011 MELANDER”: increased Attitude Stability/System Recovery
HEAD “HD-033M VERRILL”: increased System Recovery
HEAD “HD-012 MELANDER C3”: increased Attitude Stability/System Recovery
HEAD “DF-HD-08 TIAN-QIANG”: increased Attitude Stability/System Recovery
HEAD “VP-44S”: increased Attitude Stability/System Recovery
HEAD “VP-44D”: decreased Attitude Stability
HEAD “VE-44A”: increased Attitude Stability/System Recovery
HEAD “HC-2000 FINDER EYE”: increased System Recovery
HEAD “HC-2000/BC SHADE EYE”: increased System Recovery
HEAD “HC-3000 WRECKER”: increased System Recovery
HEAD “HS-5000 APPETIZER”: increased Attitude Stability/System Recovery
HEAD “EL-TH-10 FIRMEZA”: increased System Recovery
HEAD “EL-PH-00 ALBA”: increased System Recovery
HEAD “20-081 MIND ALPHA”: increased Attitude Stability/System Recovery
HEAD “20-082 MIND BETA”: decreased System Recovery
HEAD “IB-C03H: HAL 826”: increased Attitude Stability
CORE “NACHTREIHER/40E”: increased Attitude Stability/Generator Output Adj.
CORE “IA-C01C: EPHEMERA”: decreased AP/Anti-Energy Defense/Anti-Explosive Defense/Attitude Stability
ARMS “AA-J-123 BASHO”: decreased Anti-Kinetic Defense/Anti-Explosive Defense
ARMS “AA-J-123/RC JAILBREAK”: decreased Anti-Kinetic Defense/Anti-Explosive Defense
ARMS “AR-011 MELANDER”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “AR-012 MELANDER C3”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “DF-AR-08 TIAN-QIANG”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “DF-AR-09 TIAN-LAO”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “VP-46S”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “VP-46D”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “NACHTREIHER/46E”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “VE-46A”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “AC-2000 TOOL ARM”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “AS-5000 SALAD”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “EL-TA-10 FIRMEZA”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “EL-PA-00 ALBA”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “04-101 MIND ALPHA”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “IA-C01A: EPHEMERA”: increased Recoil Control
ARMS “IB-C03A: HAL 826”: increased Recoil Control
BIPEDAL “AL-J-121 BASHO”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “AL-J-121/RC JAILBREAK”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “LG-011 MELANDER”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “LG-012 MELANDER C3”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “DF-LG-08 TIAN-QIANG”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “VP-422”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “VE-42A”: increased AP/Attitude Stability/Jump Distanc
BIPEDAL “2C-2000 CRAWLER”: increased Attitude Stability/Load Limit/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “2C-3000 WRECKER”: increased AP/Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “2S-5000 DESSERT”: increased AP/Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “EL-TL-10 FIRMEZA”: increased Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “EL-PL-00 ALBA”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “06-041 MIND ALPHA”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “IA-C01L: EPHEMERA”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
BIPEDAL “IB-C03L: HAL 826”: increased Attitude Stability/Jump Distance
REVERSE JOINT “KASUAR/42Z”: increased Attitude Stability
REVERSE JOINT “06-042 MIND BETA”: increased Attitude Stability
REVERSE JOINT “RC-2000 SPRING CHICKEN”: increased Attitude Stability
TETRAPOD “LG-033M VERRILL”: decreased AP
TETRAPOD “VP-424”: decreased AP
TANK “EL-TL-11 FORTALEZA”: decreased Anti-Kinetic Defense/Anti-Energy Defense/Anti-Explosive Defense/Attitude Stability

Inner Parts

BOOSTER “AB-J-137 KIKAKU”: increased Upward Thrust
BOOSTER “BST-G1/P10”: increased Upward Thrust
BOOSTER “BST-G2/P04”: increased Upward Thrust
BOOSTER “BST-G2/P06SPD”: increased Upward Thrust
BOOSTER “ALULA/21E”: increased Upward Thrust
BOOSTER “FLUEGEL/21Z”: increased Upward Thrust
BOOSTER “BC-0600 12345”: increased Upward Thrust
BOOSTER “BC-0400 MULE”: increased Upward Thrust
BOOSTER “IA-C01B: GILLS”: increased Upward Thrust
BOOSTER “IB-C03B: NGI 001”: increased Upward Thrust
FCS “FCS-G2/P05”: decreased Close-Range Assist
FCS “FC-006 ABBOT”: decreased Close-Range Assist
FCS “FC-008 TALBOT”: decreased Close-Range Assist
GENERATOR “AG-J-098 JOSO”: increased EN Capacity/Supply Recovery/Energy Firearm Spec
GENERATOR “AG-E-013 YABA”: increased EN Capacity/Supply Recovery/Energy Firearm Spec
GENERATOR “AG-T-005 HOKUSHI”: increased EN Capacity/Energy Firearm Spec

Expansion

EXPANSION “PULSE PROTECTION”: increased Resilience
EXPANSION “TERMINAL ARMOR”: increased Duration

  • Adjusted Attitude Recovery rate according to Total Weight. ACS Strain now dissipates much faster on lighter ACs, and slightly slower on heavier ACs
  • Adjusted various Boost Speed rates according to Total Weight
  • Decreased top speed during Assault Boost for heavier ACs
  • Decreased Boost Kick attack range for Tetrapod legs
  • Increased EN Consumption while hovering with Tetrapod legs
  • Decreased Impact reduction effect during Assault Boost
  • Decreased Impact/Accumulative Impact dealt when colliding with enemies during Assault Boost
  • Decreased Impact/Accumulative Impact dealt by Boost Kick from all leg types except Reverse Joint
  • Adjusted damage dealt by certain weapons when attacking the pulse shield deployed from PULSE SHIELD LAUNCHER “EULE/60D”

Bug fixes

  • Fixed a bug with CORAL OSCILLATOR “IB-C03W2: WLT 101” where charged attacks would have stronger tracking than intended when using Tetrapod legs
  • Fixed a bug where the attack warning marker would not display for an enemy AC firing DETONATING MISSILE “45-091 JVLN BETA” equipped to the left back slot
  • Fixed a bug where the attack warning sound would not play correctly for an enemy firing GRENADE “IRIDIUM”
  • Fixed a bug where charged attacks from LIGHT WAVE BLADE “IA-C01W2: MOONLIGHT” and CORAL OSCILLATOR “IA-C01W7: ML-REDSHIFT” would clip through certain structures/objects
  • Fixed a bug where reloading with a full magazine would cause certain weapons to fire unintentionally
  • Other bug fixes

The version number of this update shown at the lower right corner of the Title Screen will be as follows:
App Ver. 30
Regulation Ver. 1.03.1 *

This regulation update is required for online play.

We will continue to provide improvement updates in the future to allow players to further enjoy ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON.
Thank you all for your support.

*Notice to PS4, PS5, XboxOne and XSX|S players:
If the game is set to boot to offline mode in the Network Settings inside the System Menu, the latest regulation files will not be downloaded. Please ensure the game is set to online mode before attempting to apply this update.

Armored Core Discord’s Week 1 Tournament Results

That was fast. ACD just concluded their Week 1 Tournament for Armored Core VI.

A staggering 233 players took part. Whew. Double elimination format too, so that’s a lotta fighting. Full brackets, rules, and ban list can be found here.

In spite of all the talk regarding the balance of dual ZIMMERMANs and VE-60SNAs, it was Boles who prevailed as champion, rocking a tank missile boat, complete with two APERITIFs.

Check out the seven hours of 1v1 AC action from the VODs below, c/o Celtic Spear.

[via ACD]

Feed the Fire. Let the Last Cinders Burn.

We’re finally here. Launch day.

See you all on Rubicon 3!

A True and Accurate Story of the Raven Republic – Part 3: From Gen 5, the Present, and Future

We continue with A True and Accurate History of the Raven Republic. In this edition, we look at what RR was up to during the days of Armored Core V, Verdict Day, and the long lull until the announcement of Armored Core VI.

Raven Republic in the Fifth Generation

When Armored Core V arrived, Raven Republic finally had its chance to shine on the global stage. Despite the relatively small ACV/VD player base worldwide, the tradition of playing Armored Core purely for the joy of it continued.

Initially, Raven Republic consisted of seasoned members, friends, and active participants from our real-life gatherings. On Armored Core V’s release, RR held a launch party on March of 2012 at DT’s house, the site of PACT 1, where we brought in our PS3s to start taking our first territories.

Over time, and with our name on the conquest map, the community attracted new members from both inside and outside the Philippines who shared RR’s core values – that is, having fun with Armored Core while maintaining a touch of competitiveness. Though some earlier members weren’t into gen 5, many enthusiastic newcomers made a lasting impression on fellow members and the AC community at large.

Raven Republic in ACV and VD

Accounts from our members, including NiX, Etherstrife, AcesZeph, Arrui, Zefyr, Gradlein, Ravenflau, JienFury, and Goat, 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.

RR’s activities made the group quite well-known in ACV’s online community. The goal of putting our emblems on the map (punctuated by our own mascot of course) not only became our driving force to play but also led to notoriety and in-game rivalries. Notably, one member initially belonged to a rival group, but he was won over by RR’s conversations and eventually switched sides. To this day he’s still a cherished and integral part of the gang.

Waifus on mechs, before it was cool

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. Overall, recruitment was a simple process, where signing up for the forums was the only mandatory requirement for official RR membership.

During the VD era, while RR took conquest seriously, the freebattle environment was much more relaxed. Still, the community prided itself on its emblems, out-of-meta builds, and clutch victories, where RR members prevailed despite being outnumbered and overwhelmed.

A generally realistic portrayal of what the map might have looked at the height of activity

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 the one-on-one dynamics of the older titles, the fifth generation largely emphasized teamwork.

But despite the serious approach, we were no strangers to having fun. Among RR’s amusing antics were tank drag races, head transformation recordings, and Overed Weapon demonstrations.

For us, the best memories were simply the hours spent playing together – small moments like goofing off on the map, or giving each other’s ACs love taps (AKA kicking/pile driving) at the end of a sortie. These lighthearted interactions elevated friendships and strengthened the bonds that endure until today, where things go beyond just playing Armored Core.

The Decade Without a New Armored Core

The ties within the RR crew extended beyond the game, marking milestones in each other’s lives. These connections led to invitations to weddings, anniversaries, send-offs, birthday celebrations, as well as the odd burger raid here and there. Some even became extended family members.

Commemorating our 2nd Anniversary

During this time, RR continued returning to the game that united them, equipped with fading PS2s and CRT monitors, ready to relive the experience. We’d occasionally engage in gimmick matches like Godzilla (1v3) or blind attack (guided by handlers/operators) to keep things fresh. Eventually, RR meets became more of a gathering of friends united by a common love for Armored Core.

We managed to maintain an unbroken streak of annual meetups (usually every August) and Christmas parties from our founding until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. With it, in-person gatherings ceased, and Discord became the primary means of communication. Online movie viewings served as a coping mechanism for the isolation, but it didn’t have the same effect as meeting in person. We had a small gathering in 2022, but obviously with limited participation due to ongoing pandemic concerns.

The Month We Almost Died

On November 2022, a crucial announcement quietly shook the community:

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 15+ years – including AC designs, emblems, tournament records, research, photos, and most importantly, memories. This article, for example, greatly benefited from the rich history in the forums.

But on December 8, the very same day Grim said he would start with the site’s shutdown, a miraculous turn of events occurred at the Game Awards. It seems like RR was meant to live on.

As of this article’s posting, Raven Republic as well as the entire Armored Core community has experienced a revival unlike any before. The past few months have felt like those halcyon days in 2006 when assembling six Ravens under one roof was like a dream come true, with excitement and anticipation running high. The hype surrounding Armored Core 6 pretty much broke all previous high water marks for the series, and it’s only just begun.

The Road Goes Ever On

The common thread that united us was the simple joy of playing Armored Core and other games. The near-death experience of the previous year highlighted the importance of preserving the tales of the past, and that’s exactly what we’ve tried to do with this little series of articles. As RR embarks on a new journey with Armored Core VI, 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 of common interests can blossom into enduring connections that stand the test of time.

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 The Raven Republic.

***END OF TRANSMISION***

Personal Thoughts from the Author

To all our new and upcoming members, we’re excited to have you on board. You’ll be part of a long and very proud tradition that spans almost two decades, and counting. And if you haven’t joined yet, what are you waiting for? If you’re from the Philippines, sali na! To the rest of the world, we’d love to have you with us. Our socials are on top of the page.

To Grim – Thank you for bringing Raven Republic out into this world. I’m sure you never imagined your little project to reach the heights that it has today. Thank you for keeping it running smoothly, for preserving the memories, and for starting the culture that allowed RR to soar. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. On a personal note, thank you for being an Ace of a friend, and I always wish for success in your life.

To Nix – I am forever honored you chose me to be the godfather of your kid, to me you’re the GOAT Raven. What you’ve done for the RR community is nothing short of impactful, instrumental to how it lasted this long, and continues to grow. From the the early 2000s till today; thank you, rival, ally, and very good friend.

To AEA1, DT, and Cabs – You marvelous guys, you kept the fire burning in the early days of Gen1, and are still up for AC in this upcoming 6th gen. Thank you for letting us use your place in the early days, that allowed our grassroots community to grow to what it has become today, establishing the Armored Core community in the Philippines.

To Sforza – There’s a reason why people call you the benefactor, thank you for taking care of us whenever we visited your place (numerous times). It was never easy for you to host, but you did it anyway, all for the love of the community and AC.

To our GEN5 crew (Etherstrife, AcesZeph, Arrui, Zefyr, Gradlein, Ravenflau, JienFury, and Goat) – Thank you for keeping the fires burning. Without you guys, our group would be less than what it is right now. Thank you for being that new (and some old) blood that allows communities to grow, evolve, and flourish. I’m so happy to hear you’re all back to play in AC6 with everyone, and I’m looking forward to playing AC with you guys.

Trace-02 – Thank you for bringing our Sophie to life, your art forever awakened something in us that will never die. It’s been a while, but we’re always hoping to hear from you again.

To Fox, Serene, Raff, Super Ting Bros – I love you all, you’re the meme makers in our community, and really cemented the personal identity of the group. You guys are a freaking riot during RR meets it’d be so hard to think of what we’d be without you. Looking forward to our meetups to chill, talk about mecha, etc. See you in AC6.

Special shout-outs to the guys at Armored Core Universe, AC Discord, r/armoredcore, Raven’s Haven, ACL, Zealous (thanks for the shout-out during your AC6 presentation BTW), FromCheng, JinX, Penguin Deus, TMRaven, many others I’ve missed, and you reading this long article. You’re all truly wonderful, and we’ll see you at planetfall on Rubicon 3.

A Brief History of Armored Core and the Community

The Beginning

Armored Core has always been something of a niche in the already niche mecha genre. The original Armored Core was one of the first opportunities for mecha fans to feel like they were piloting and customizing their very own giant robot. But despite this unique formula, the game’s unintuitive tank controls, complex AC assembly, and in-game debt may have kept the series from gaining mainstream popularity, especially outside of Japan.

The players who could overlook the quirks of the Armored Core games discovered its high skill ceiling and deep customization options. And the most dedicated of these players grew tired of testing their skills and new AC designs against the AI arena. Perhaps their biggest challenge was in finding actual people to play with, let alone ones as dedicated to the game. And with the young internet, when connectivity was slow, unreliable, and not yet a standard feature on game consoles, such players resorted to mailing lists and message boards to seek competition or exchange information about the game. Some fansites even had pilot directories for those hoping to connect with others in person.

For the English-speaking AC community, enthusiasm for the series probably peaked between Another Age and Silent Line. Several community forums coexisted, where discourse was abundant, though scattered. And through these forums and message boards, various tournaments were organized by the community itself, as opposed to Japan where there were officially supported events. Match videos and other media were available, though hard to come by (and even harder to download). But aside from the geographic boundaries and technologic limitations of the time, the community was the healthiest it had ever been.

The Nexus Era

Armored Core: Nexus eventually released and brought about some scorching changes to the game and the community. Despite the welcome addition of dual-analog controls, the game’s new mechanics frustrated a lot of the long-time fans while making things even more complicated for newcomers. Nine Breaker was more of the same, and Last Raven didn’t look any different to those who already felt burned. But for some of those who stuck around, Last Raven did rekindle some of the competitive spirit from the days of Another Age and Silent Line, although this was a short-lived renaissance.

Duking it out in Last Raven
The Fourth Generation

With the release of newer generation consoles came the most radical AC iteration yet: Armored Core 4. The gameplay overhaul meant to make it more appealing to a wider audience, and the built-in online multiplayer and multi-console release made it more accessible than ever before. But as new fans came in, many older fans felt pushed out and further alienated by the changes.

Though Armored Core 4 and the subsequent For Answer finally featured a convenient way to play against others, the internet infrastructure outside of Japan at the time may not have been developed enough to have facilitated a truly competitive environment like the in-person tournaments of old. Ironically, online discussion about the new games was relatively sparse, and shortly after AC finally went online was when its fansites and message boards started dying out. The remaining communities only continued to exist because their members used to meet up and had become real-life friends.

The Fifth Generation

Following For Answer, FromSoftware pivoted back to their medieval fantasy King’s Field roots by focusing their energies on Demon’s Souls and eventually Dark Souls, which raised them to near-mainstream recognition. This shift, perhaps, was forced by the relatively poor reception of the previous Armored Core games up to this point. Then, after four years without a new Armored Core game came Armored Core V.

Once again, Armored Core V, and later Verdict Day, introduced drastic changes. In particular, the game shifted to a more team-oriented format that seemed to borrow more from FromSoft’s own Chromehounds. Game activity was incentivized by having teams fight over territories just to be able to show off their custom emblems on the game’s world map. And because each team could only accommodate ten members, joining the top teams was highly sought after.

Zoom in.
The Cost of Success

For better or worse, Armored Core V’s team dynamics introduced a new dimension of drama to the AC community that rekindled it for some time. But the bulk of this activity was from the newer generation of fans. As with the iterations before it, Armored Core V attracted new fans perhaps at the cost of many older ones who felt like the game was no longer the AC that they knew and loved.

After Verdict Day, FromSoft returned to producing games in the vein of the Souls series, resulting in more critical acclaim and commercial success than had ever been brought to them by the mecha genre. Their most recent title, Elden Ring, truly catapulted them into the mainstream. And while FromSoft had gained more fans than ever before, the subset that were AC fans first felt increasingly disillusioned.

Coexistence in the Sixth Generation

Clusters of newer AC fans, many brought in by FromSoft’s newfound popularity, gathered on social media platforms, such as Discord, Facebook, and Reddit, while some of the few remaining message boards and their grizzled members further dwindled. But the sudden announcement of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon reignited interest for the series.

Coincidentally, around the time of the announcement, unofficial software had developed just enough that many of the previous Armored Core games could finally be played online. New and old fans alike could now readily interact and go back to play their preferred AC generation while anticipating Armored Core VI.

Hope for the Future

After a decade since the last Armored Core game, what may be the greatest change to the series so far is just around the corner. Armored Core VI looks to have mechanics calling back to all previous AC generations while having features that seem to have been adapted from FromSoftware’s more successful games. And while the older remnants of the AC community are cautiously optimistic, the hope is that Armored Core VI has enough common ground for everyone.

 

Editor’s note: This is somewhat of an update to the An Unkindness of Ravens editorial posted 14 years ago.

Update: Now on YouTube.

Armored Core VI Story Trailer

Fresh and hot! Come and get it!

Armored Core VI Gameplay Trailers Galore, Oh My!

Following the Summer Game Fest, the past couple of days have blessed us with a bunch of new gameplay videos to ogle over and dissect. We got to see more of Assault Boost in action, which was previously detailed by game director Masaru Yamamura in an interview with PlayStation. We got to see how the garage interface will look, as well as potential number ranges for part stats. We got to see how the HUD looks.

But we also got to see a couple of one-on-one engagements. The first is with an oversized quad wielding an oversized blade, and the second looks like a boss battle against a cartoonish blast furnace robot from hell.

And dare I say it? Okay, I’ll say it. Particularly in the context of PVE, the more methodical and deliberate pace of combat as well as the telegraphing of incoming attacks, reminds me a lot of Da… kidding, I’m kidding.

Pull up the videos!!!

We’re all up in discussion over it at the Discord if you want to join.

It’s a good time to be a Raven.

[via Gematsu]

Armored Core 6 Releases on August 25, 2023

Oh glorious heavens.