FromSoftware is a Japanese studio mostly known for the Dark Souls series. Though games in the franchise feature tough-as-nails gameplay, there is something addictive about overcoming the monumental challenges they serve up, and this has caused Dark Souls titles to develop a cult following. Though not as popular as FromSoftware's other franchises, the studio is also responsible for the Armored Core series which features large robots engaging in combat.
Since Armored Core 5 in 2012, the series has yet to receive a new entry, though it still has a strong fan base hoping that FromSoftware will resurrect the franchise. Leaks in 2022 give hope that this may happen, and while FromSoftware has yet to confirm anything, screenshots that have surfaced suggest that something is going on. If the leaks are true, Armored Core's return could be one of the most victorious in gaming.
Armored Core 6 Leaks
Although the Armored Core franchise has been somewhat neglected for a while, its loyal fan base has not died down, and it has consistently begged FromSoftware for a new entry in the series. In 2022, an alleged leak from a Resetera user got fans excited, as it suggested that a new title could be on the way. According to user Red Liquorice, they completed a consumer survey about a new Armored Core game, and in the process, they were treated to the game's description along with screenshots and two short video clips showcasing gameplay. The first video allegedly shows a boss fight while the second depicts a snowy area.
Red Liquorice also posted the description they read, and it claimed that the game would be a third-person shooter featuring an "overwhelming scaled map" containing a science fiction world filled with mechs that battle each other using guns and blades. The game will also feature plenty of customization, allowing players to build the perfect mech to match their playing style, whether they intend to focus on close-range combat or take on swarms of enemies. A brief plot synopsis mentions a search for Melange, a destructive substance that should have been lost forever, but has been confirmed again on planet Bashtar. The description makes the game sound quite alluring, and the leak is a little more believable since watermarked screenshots also found their way onto the internet. Nevertheless, without official confirmation from FromSoftware, it is always worth maintaining skepticism.
Is Armored Core 6 Likely to Be on the Way?
The leak from Red Liquorice came in January 2022, which was a few weeks before the release of Elden Ring. If the leak is true, this would imply that Armored Core 6's development overlapped with Elden Ring's development. This would not be an impossible task for FromSoftware, as in recent years the studio has grown larger thanks to its mainstream appeal increasing. This was further confirmed in June 2022 when the studio added several posts to its careers page, inviting people to work on "multiple new projects," and studio head Hidetaka Miyazaki has stated that the studio has an unannounced project in its final stages.
After the monumental success of Elden Ring, a new Armored Core game has the best conditions possible for a triumphant return. The screenshots suggest that the game's development is well underway and that it could be released in the next few years. This may be the perfect timing for the game, as, unlike Elden Ring, developers may not need to cater to previous-generation consoles.
FromSoftware is very secretive, and it is likely gamers will not know what the studio is up to until it is ready. The developer is likely busy with Elden Ring DLC, although this does not stop a new Armored Core game from also being in development. If FromSoftware can craft a world for Armored Core that is as enthralling as Elden Ring's, it is certain to be a success.