Armored Core 6 devs share how assembly lies at the core of the mech action

Every mission in Armored Core VI  Fires of Rubicon throws something new at you. Whether it be a special scenario, challenging objective, strong enemy pilots, or a gigantic colossus, evolving and adapting is key.

We recently got some hands-on time with Armored Core VI ahead of its August release, along with the chance to speak to the developers behind it. And as director Masaru Yamamura puts it, building the Armored Core (or AC) you pilot is a key place FromSoftware built upon.

“This has always been a staple of the series, and it’s always been a part of Armored Core’s identity,” said Yamamura in a roundtable interview. “So we wanted to see what that would look like in a modern-day AC. We felt like that was an element that could translate very well, even in a modern day game and a modern day mech game. So we kind of used that as the impetus for this project.”

Players can observe this in many places. While Yamamura notes that different parts have usually denoted different stats or parameters, the team wanted choices in the garage to be felt in the game. “For instance, if you change up the leg types, you get a very different feeling mech or mobility system,” Yamamura explains.

In my own experience, I saw how different loadouts could deal with different challenges. Where some missions with swarms of smaller enemies meant dual-guns were effective, I gravitated towards the sword in one-on-one duels with other ACs. It’s all about the right tool for the right job.

Hitting the garage

Customization isn’t just about guns and parts, though. Past Armored Core games have let the player customize to a degree. But there are some bells and whistles FromSoftware included for Armored Core VI that get pretty interesting: texturing, weathering, even the reflection of a particular piece.

While I spent some time blowing up enemy ACs, I also fooled around a bit with the custom mech creator. I made an EVA Unit-01 mock-up, as well as an Optimus Prime and Gundam-inspired look. (I sadly didn’t have capture on hand, but trust me when I say: they looked great.) It was really fun to see just how in-depth and creative these tools were, for making a mech of my own.

“So in this sense, we hope that players will be able to depict their ideal AC,” said Yamamura. The director hoped players would be able to “bring their mech fantasy into the game” and showcase it.

Corporate backing

When it comes to the parts in Armored Core VI, I did ask whether there were any outside inspirations on the new designs. Of course, series like Gundam got mentioned. But more importantly, FromSoftware looked toward its own world for inspiration.

The world of Armored Core VI is embroiled in a corporate war for control of Rubicon. Those companies develop weapons and field their own forces, and when thinking of what new parts might be in play, Yamamura says the team looked at the corporations’ backgrounds.

“We wanted to study the backgrounds of those corporations and factions and figure out what they prioritize, and what they develop,” said Yamamura. “Maybe like, where they originated, in their sort of company development. And then what that would look like in terms of parts, and how you identify each corporation based on its parts.”

Idiosyncrasies

Of course, I did ask Yamamura and producer Yasunori Ogura what their own mech loadouts would be, were they to duel at that very moment. Yamamura opted for a double Gatling gun approach, with a missile launcher and cannon. Ogura went for a rapid-fire ballistic weapon in one hand, high-impact bazooka in another, with a couple of plasma rifles for good measure.

“This is part of the fun of AC,” said Ogura. “Is sharing your own idiosyncrasies with other players.”

Armored Core VI  Fires of Rubicon arrives on August 2, 2023.

_{Travel for this event was provided by the publisher.}