So, is AC6 a success?

[Odzianna]

I mean in the sense that we can expect DLC, or maybe even more games. Or are we back to Soulslikes and never see another AC again for a decade?

Because I'm in chapter 3 and man, I'm really missing dozens of parts from the old games, like arms that are their own weapons, heads that create you incredibly detailed maps, shoulder equipment that is not just missile launchers and special parts like ammo storages, outer boosters or mine layers. Back then we even had shoulder mounted gatlings and energy shotguns and mortars.

Any chance we get any of that back?

[hakabata]

It already broke the sales record of the series just by initial sales, successfully rekindled the franchise. Definitely more can be expected. But the actual development schedule, we will have to see.

[BKo]

Most new stuff in old gens came from expansions and sequels. You can even compare just how much is in last raven compared to AC3. The longer time they can spend in one engine/generation, the more stuff they can add without having to start over.

[Albireo]

They have done gun arms in the same gen sequel too. It was one of the big part inclusions in ACVD over ACV

[魔装機神 Psybuster]

Don't know why you'd want to promote the practice of DLC, I'd rather just get complete games all at once. I'm hoping for a sequel, as well as a new Another Century's Episode myself.

[Zed]

I think it's safe to say that an expansion is extremely likely given the player counts on Steam alone. And I don't think we'll have to wait all that long considering the format of the game. I wouldn't be surprised if we have a major expansion within 12-18 months.

[Blackmage]

Was AC6 a financial success? Absolutely.

Is AC6 a game design success? Debatable. I personally lean towards the "nay" category.

Personally, I'd rather they focus on patching the game to balance its weapons better, and reduce the combat's reliance on the stagger system, especially against bosses.

My personal wishlist for the future of Armored Core would be the reintroduction of certain aspects of the old games - less of a focus on boss battles, no checkpoints, less luxurious mission rewards, debt, and make supply drops cost money again, etc.
Some of the devs at FromSoftware have expressed interest in bringing back the debt system. They kept it out of AC6 because they were afraid it would make the game too hard for Souls players. Fingers crossed they will bring it back.

[Odzianna]

I'm all for DLC if it introduces new, good stuff for a reasonable price. Let's be honest here, "complete games" like back then are a thing of the past. If something sells well, make it sell some more. Unless you try the Total Warhammer 3 route with this, that's maybe a tad too much

[魔装機神 Psybuster]

Originally posted by Odzianna:

Let's be honest here, "complete games" like back then are a thing of the past.

See, I don't get that, almost every game I buy and play is a complete game as is. The only thing I can think of that was atrocious with add-on DLC was SRW 30, which was very unusual for the franchise and overall seems to have been bashed on, so most likely we'll be back to proper games for the next one. That said, even in 30's case, the game that came out at launch was as packed full of content as a normal entry in the series.

[hakabata]

Originally posted by TaquitoBurrito:

Originally posted by hakabata:

It already broke the sales record of the series just by initial sales, successfully rekindled the franchise. Definitely more can be expected. But the actual development schedule, we will have to see.

Playing devils advocate though, you're comparing sales to Fromsoftware before they became what they are now. Fromsoft was niche until dark souls made them mainstream. From what we can see, AC6 is not meeting the sales levels that would be expected from a souls game.

Obviously the people posting here want more. But will From really focus more on Armored Core when they can get double the revenue from something else?

Even Bamco CEO does not expect this will make a mega hit like Elden Ring did. Yet From has brought their old doggie right after that tremendous level of success. Sure From is more than eager to continue the AC no matter of financial reasons. But of course they will want to continue the soulslike genre at the same time which they have built it from bare hands.

[Blackmage]

Originally posted by 魔装機神 Psybuster:

Originally posted by Odzianna:

Let's be honest here, "complete games" like back then are a thing of the past.

See, I don't get that, almost every game I buy and play is a complete game as is. The only thing I can think of that was atrocious with add-on DLC was SRW 30, which was very unusual for the franchise and overall seems to have been bashed on, so most likely we'll be back to proper games for the next one. That said, even in 30's case, the game that came out at launch was as packed full of content as a normal entry in the series.

I was going to kinda say the same thing, you beat me to it. When I think "incomplete game" I think of: planned DCL, day-1-DLC or pay-to-win micro-transaction markets.
DLC and full expansions are best utilized as unplanned, and a "thank you" to the players for making a game successful.

[Odzianna]

Well, I don't know what kind of games you buy :D But as the saying goes "The Golden Goose gets milked till she burns".

[Albireo]

Originally posted by 魔装機神 Psybuster:

Don't know why you'd want to promote the practice of DLC, I'd rather just get complete games all at once. I'm hoping for a sequel, as well as a new Another Century's Episode myself.

Some of us come from the days of expansions packs and in engine sequels. AC has always been more about in engine sequels as AC4 was a complete game but in making AC4A we got a flipping directors cut, new better story, complete rebalance, Arms Forts, more parts just all up and down the place. First outings can be improved, and an immediate sequel has a chance to take the original complete product but this time with more of what worked, less of what didn't, and the room to make proper full changes you just cant do in stapled on content.

Even more standard DLC can be some of this. I hear ya though fam. DLC that feels like it was part of the game ripped out for later sale? Or like cut content put back in? we have all been there and some bad eggs have abused our trust.

[魔装機神 Psybuster]

Originally posted by Odzianna:

Well, I don't know what kind of games you buy :D

I consider myself relatively omnivorous when it comes to games, just with a high standard due to games being basically my reason to live for 90% of my life. I do tend to pick up a fair amount of RPGs, be it "normal" RPGs, strategy ones, or dungeon crawlers (SRW, stuff by Asano Team and Experience, etc.,) though I will veer into action and puzzle games a fair bit too. Monster Hunter kind of skirts the line nowadays with the DLC being actual story content instead of just collaboration stuff, but even then it's all free content at least.

[hakabata]

Originally posted by Odzianna:

Well, I don't know what kind of games you buy :D But as the saying goes "The Golden Goose gets milked till she burns".

Then I shall be the Last Duck or something. I just want my horse-saddled quad legs as a DLC.

[魔装機神 Psybuster]

Originally posted by Albireo:

Some of us come from the days of expansions packs and in engine sequels.

Yeah, that kind of approach is still really new to me, I come from the era of "you release the game, that's it" with none of this Internet connectivity.