The Technology of AC 6 (and some lore spoilers I guess)

[Belmont]

For those interested more in lore/overall world building.

So we have some old lore threads, but how about the world and tech of AC6? I'll try and put together what I got so far:

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MT technology
Muscle tracer technology can be thought of as Exo Skeletons. Equipment meant to assist in mainly general labor. Over time this adapted to militaristic functions until it became Advanced Tracers (ATs) in the AC universe before it finally became Armored Cores.

In past games, it's assumed that MT pilots would be selected to be an AC pilot/Augmented AC pilot. Perhaps 621 has similar origins. Perhaps a relic of wars past in the AC6 Universe.

With MT interfaces in mind, it shows how pilots in ACs can easily die without paying attention. It also explains the need for ALLMIND's innovations to have equipment that handles like an "extension of the body"

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Conventional tech, the commercial/military grade mass produced type of tech which would be Balam and Arquebus and its subsidiaries. For each respective umbrella corp, you have the companies that design and build peripheries such as thrusters, engines, FCS, weapons. The generic reverse jointed gun craft that are destroyed for a paltry 800 COAM seem to be too weak for any real combat effectiveness in vehicular combat, perhaps this is more of an enforcement element for more EVA/"feet on the ground" type of activity.

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Government tech, which is the PCA at large. This one interests me because it's the only one capable of spooky wetwork such as stealth (Monitor Distortion or MDD) and specialized weapons such at the LCs and HCs which seem to behave as ACs where they fit into different roles-albeit have their loadouts baked into its manufacturing (I guess it's ID locked or something, and they mostly don't seem modular). Calvary implies they are supported by craft/vehicles, so they are typically found within the PCA carriers/warships what-have-you or are never far from the presence of supporting facilities. They seem more reliant on these things than ACs, especially independently owned ones.

The PCA is an established force allegedly led by an AI director. Perhaps the AI is more of a delegate where it carries out more detailed operations in lieu of a higher authority. Though the ALLMIND parts found on MDD stealth drones points to, well, ALLMIND. Which brings us to the Mercenary net.

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ALLMIND, the mercenary net, and the independent mercenaries. ALLMIND and the merc net supplies all licensed AC pilots with access to parts catalogs, training, and simulated battle log data. It seems ALLMIND comes off as a virtual inventory of collected data on every registered pilot. What they did with it is to be discovered during the course of the game.

Branch has been described as a hacktivist group with a rotating roster with King being the most senior followed by Chartreuse and what I can assume would be Nightfall Raven and their Operator.

Another hacktivist faction is Overseer with the talents of "Cinder" Carla and the operations specialist Handler Walter. I would assume "Branch" has something to do with the tree emblem of the Overseer group - which would explain the RaD parts offered to Raven, despite the design theory behind the product line being eccentric.

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RaD is led by "Cinder" Carla. Their tech seems to be reliant on low energy consumption. Assuming Carla is the head designer, this may hint to their connection to Coral, implying a certain fear of over reliance on the energy source - or perhaps the possible threat of it. Explosives and low energy consumption weapons are key to their loadouts, though most designs are poorly specialized for combat specifically. Perhaps this is also a pacifist approach as well?

The Dosers are the scrap and utility faction using Wreckers and possibly the LOADER ACs which seem to be typically used in many scenarios from the vacuum of space to planet side scavenging. The presence and overall structure of the grid implies an attempt for an industrial foothold, though there is a lack of evidence in data logs hinting at its connection to Rubicon.

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Rubicon 3 itself is host to many things including the PCA's orbital array of weapons as well as planet side batteries. Obviously shiny and newer, these were most likely in place to sanction off and deter Rubicon 3 from possible prospectors - we obviously see that this was not enough once Raven leaked the Coral site to corporations. Why the independent merc did this is still unknown.

The Rubicon Research Institute made landfall early and conducted numerous experiments and projects throughout the planet. Aged, alien, and distinct from the typical technological shape language, it is reliant on circles - rather tangents and curves - to harness Coral as a power source. Judging from this beyond the data logs, Coral technology has the potential as an infinite energy source. How this is possible gets into the realm of super science where "lower" particles travel into our materiel 4 perceptible dimensions. Energy based sapient entities have been a staple in many science fiction media with similar origins. Perhaps RI was not afraid of the Coral itself, but the possibility of what comes with its existence?

Still, it's quite eerie to think a pilot may be hearing the screams of Coral in their wave based weaponry. There is also much weight to any AC part that utilizes this energy, possibly telling us a trait of the Coral is its density as a fuel source.

Addendum: The nature of Walter's "Friend" is up for debate, though can be dismissed at first as Walter simply respecting the wishes of a ghost from his past, namely Professor Nagai or someone within this circle at RRI. Though I personally believe there may be a small hint that there may be a Coral influence at play here. If this were true, it implies that Coral also interacts with human conscience post-mortum or at least reached symbiosis during the Fires of Ibis incident. Though it is more likely when Walter made his confession that his friend was a long past scientist who martyred their self during the Fires.

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Despite the mass of kinetics, explosive force of missiles, and the effusive destruction of laser weaponry, pulse technology generally has a more passive effect. As a shield, the oscillations are interpreted to be as waves of either matter or energy (presumably the latter) that interrupts the physics or at least velocity of any matter/energy. If pulse technology only affects matter, then perhaps the laser tech in this universe is more like accelerated/excited vapor matter than it is an actual bolt of light.

In the story trailer revealing the predecessors of 621, we can also see golden discs surrounding 621 on an operating table. This supports how Pulse technology is used passively and as a means to dampen/place something in a sort of stasis - possibly offering stability where needed or a means to work in a simulated low gravity environment.

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The planet's biomes are varied though sparse with life save for forested areas which I assume consist of invasive species brought in by migrants. The locals, the Rubiconians, are led by a Thumb Dolmayan who was a Doser in a previous life. Though after some sort of epiphany he found the Rubiconian Liberation Front in sympathy with Coral beings.

Despite their overall beliefs in their causes, the RLF also uses generally lower energy consumption parts - possibly due to their limited funds/status as an unacknowledged "official" faction in the events of AC6. Their BAWS sourced gear reveals who their sponsors are and their possible loyalties. Though the weaponry available fires in bursts or focus on short range to meet the strengths of the first generation ACs they pilot. Most their supporting weaponry is improvised as seen with the unpolished warmachine, the Juggernaut with its singular attack strategy. If supported with ground forces, the Juggernaut is possibly designed as a much better craft for assault. Though it also seems to be unmanned or at least lacks a means of audio communication. But perhaps the RLF is keen on the interceptions of corporate forces.

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With the exception of Xylem, Watchpoints and the BAWS Arsenal, it seems most residential areas are strewn across and outside the megastructures that landmark Rubicon, nested in valleys or obscured by cliff faces in some way. The places 621 gets to see have some strategic value, but it's interesting to see that there was signs of life where they were. Perhaps even when settled, Rubiconians were still trying to make their presence as little known as possible.

I would assume that everyone arrived on Rubicon via the colony ship, and it was also hidden in such a way to further obscure their presence. This would imply that humanity is either in an emigration movement due to politics, or due to crisis. The latter would be likely due to the priority and resources put into the RI and Coral initially.

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Most of this is confirmed in game, but it's nice to have some things in one neat post. It's also good to have discussion that may provide new details I or others have missed. Is there anything hinting at previous events? Do the Arena bios provide more info than they let on? The PCA is always developing new responses to potential threats, what have they actually run into before Rubicon? What is the combustible fuel source we use for certain engines that make an AC run nigh forever? What powers the Pulse technology? Was it repurposed reverse engineered Kojima technology? Is there possible connections to Armored Core 4's universe? If there are multiple generations of Coral augments are there augments for Human+ pre coral?

Comment your theories, show us some new finds.

edit note:
-9/21 Fixed some formatting and added an observation about a specific generic weaponry.
-9/23 Addendum regarding speculation of the nature of Walter's "Friend"

[Sabaithal]

Its subtly implied that the PCA got their advanced tech by study and reverse engineering some institute technology. Never directly states, but its sometimes really difficult to tell when you're fighting leftover PCA MTs or RRI MTs.

The PCA itself is somewhat interesting, if nothing else because its show to be a powerful force, yet one that is not elaborated on much, nor given a perspective from the player. Their forces are highly organized, as are their protocols for various situations. As already observed, they use rigidly defined models for their craft, and I have yet to see them actually use ACs at all. Their LCs and HCs they believe are superior, and compared to most average ACs, they probably are. Most importantly there is never an opportunity in any NG+ run to work for them, which means they as a faction only use in-house resources. And its implied through the briefing at the end of chapter 3 that they have presence at other worlds aside from rubicon.

ALLmind I can't figure out. Its been there since the beginning, but there's no explanation, nor lore given about it. In fact, no other character in the plot even acknowledges its existence prior to a certain point in NG++. It doesn't make sense for it to be the PCA AI, as it actively moves against the PCA several times, and in fact could have used 621 to aid the PCA, which would surely have turned the tide of the small war. It claims to "exist for all mercenaries" which is clearly a cover, as a mercenary support system doesn't cause an AI apocalypse trying to force evolve an entire species. It sides neither with the overseers, the corps, the PCA, nor the rubiconians as far as I can tell, so where on earth Rubicon...or maybe somewhere else, did this thing come from?

Also I'm fairly sure all the "cloaked MTs" that show up on special missions are ALLMIND MTs. Their comms aren't scrambled, you can hear them clearly: They're machine code, and the code is sent even after they are destroyed at a few points. It would make sense, no one else would consider attacking a BAWS arsenal, who supplies everyone.

[Belmont]

Originally posted by Sabaithal:

Its subtly implied that the PCA got their advanced tech by study and reverse engineering some institute technology. Never directly states, but its sometimes really difficult to tell when you're fighting leftover PCA MTs or RRI MTs.

The PCA itself is somewhat interesting, if nothing else because its show to be a powerful force, yet one that is not elaborated on much, nor given a perspective from the player. Their forces are highly organized, as are their protocols for various situations. As already observed, they use rigidly defined models for their craft, and I have yet to see them actually use ACs at all. Their LCs and HCs they believe are superior, and compared to most average ACs, they probably are. Most importantly there is never an opportunity in any NG+ run to work for them, which means they as a faction only use in-house resources. And its implied through the briefing at the end of chapter 3 that they have presence at other worlds aside from rubicon.

ALLmind I can't figure out. Its been there since the beginning, but there's no explanation, nor lore given about it. In fact, no other character in the plot even acknowledges its existence prior to a certain point in NG++. It doesn't make sense for it to be the PCA AI, as it actively moves against the PCA several times, and in fact could have used 621 to aid the PCA, which would surely have turned the tide of the small war. It claims to "exist for all mercenaries" which is clearly a cover, as a mercenary support system doesn't cause an AI apocalypse trying to force evolve an entire species. It sides neither with the overseers, the corps, the PCA, nor the rubiconians as far as I can tell, so where on earth Rubicon...or maybe somewhere else, did this thing come from?

Also I'm fairly sure all the "cloaked MTs" that show up on special missions are ALLMIND MTs. Their comms aren't scrambled, you can hear them clearly: They're machine code, and the code is sent even after they are destroyed at a few points. It would make sense, no one else would consider attacking a BAWS arsenal, who supplies everyone.

All great points. There's never an AC affiliated with the PCA, ever. The naming implies some large governing body. ALLMIND must be some anomaly where it went rogue long ago. But from where? We can't really assume it's a Coral being because it doesn't behave very much like one, yet it convinces itself it's trying to further humanity. Carla made an AI herself, so maybe a left over during the beginning of RRI? A forgotten project?

I wonder if there's some sound engineer or some Sigint specialist lurking in these forums who might be able to decode that machine code communication. I guess ALLMIND is its own independent benefactor in all this in the same spirit as previous AC AIs behaved.

edit: RI is also older than the Fires of Ibis, so I wonder how far back it goes and what else it was involved with?

[REBirthTheEdge]

I don't agree with the PCA using RRI tech?
They look quite different.

I mean RRI still straight out alien-looking AC and those wheeler things, and they look nothing like PCA (which is more standard Gundam stuff).

[Belmont]

Originally posted by REBirthTheEdge:

I don't agree with the PCA using RRI tech?
They look quite different.

I mean RRI still straight out alien-looking AC and those wheeler things, and they look nothing like PCA (which is more standard Gundam stuff).

It could be that it was even earlier since all of what you mentioned for RRI is Rubicon RI specific. I guess the existed before Rubicon hence Xylem and Xylem's aesthetic falls in line with PCA pretty well imo

[REBirthTheEdge]

Originally posted by Belmont:

Originally posted by REBirthTheEdge:

I don't agree with the PCA using RRI tech?
They look quite different.

I mean RRI still straight out alien-looking AC and those wheeler things, and they look nothing like PCA (which is more standard Gundam stuff).

It could be that it was even earlier since all of what you mentioned for RRI is Rubicon RI specific. I guess the existed before Rubicon hence Xylem and Xylem's aesthetic falls in line with PCA pretty well imo

Haven't thought about that.
But you know what aesthetics fits with RRI?
ALLMIND.

[solthusx]

AllMind could very well have originally been created as a mercenary support system that eventually grew beyond its original function.

[Belmont]

Originally posted by REBirthTheEdge:

Originally posted by Belmont:

It could be that it was even earlier since all of what you mentioned for RRI is Rubicon RI specific. I guess the existed before Rubicon hence Xylem and Xylem's aesthetic falls in line with PCA pretty well imo

Haven't thought about that.
But you know what aesthetics fits with RRI?
ALLMIND.

Considering in the simulations that ALLMIND also took the schematics for Ephemera and even the HAL it's no surprise it would adapt some of the organic shapes the RRI used. That would explain why its parts are solid on defense and generator output

[Belmont]

Originally posted by solthusx:

AllMind could very well have originally been created as a mercenary support system that eventually grew beyond its original function.

I can totally see this happening as it falls in line with past ACs. Where when and how did it go rogue like this though? How did it find Rubicon? I figure it had close ties to RRI seeing as Carla was able to make one herself.

[solthusx]

AllMind going rogue could be either a gradual change from accumulation of data and/or set off by a triggering event, likely involving exposure to huge amounts of Coral, possibly the Fires of Ibis itself.

[Belmont]

Originally posted by solthusx:

AllMind going rogue could be either a gradual change from accumulation of data and/or set off by a triggering event, likely involving exposure to huge amounts of Coral, possibly the Fires of Ibis itself.

You think ALLMIND intentionally leaked to Nightfall Raven?

[solthusx]

Originally posted by Belmont:

Originally posted by solthusx:

AllMind going rogue could be either a gradual change from accumulation of data and/or set off by a triggering event, likely involving exposure to huge amounts of Coral, possibly the Fires of Ibis itself.

You think ALLMIND intentionally leaked to Nightfall Raven?

Alternatively, the PCA only think Nightfall Raven was the source of the leak but the leak was actually AllMind's doing.

[Belmont]

Okay so like, that random final boss suit that Ayre/ALLMIND possesses, is that PCA tech or what? I want one. I want to be overpowered

[Sabaithal]

Originally posted by REBirthTheEdge:

Originally posted by Belmont:

It could be that it was even earlier since all of what you mentioned for RRI is Rubicon RI specific. I guess the existed before Rubicon hence Xylem and Xylem's aesthetic falls in line with PCA pretty well imo

Haven't thought about that.
But you know what aesthetics fits with RRI?
ALLMIND.

ALLMIND straight up tells you that it gets its designs from everything currently active in rubicon, not just the RRI, which is what most of its secondary simulations are about.

[Sabaithal]

Originally posted by Belmont:

Okay so like, that random final boss suit that Ayre/ALLMIND possesses, is that PCA tech or what? I want one. I want to be overpowered

Some people gonna disagree with me on this, but that thing showing up the way it did felt like "we kind of ran out of plot points to use here, but we need a final boss... so this thing is now a thing." It looks like RRI tech to me, but it could have been PCA I suppose considering where it came from. There's zero explanation given for it, or why Ayre didn't use it in the NG++ final boss.

[[TSC] TheHolyDarkness]

ALLMIND is Lana Niehlsen all over again. Thus game has the task of rebooting a dead franchise, so they needed a great twist villain. Ergo, for the third storyline they pulled from the best twist villain they ever crafted from the PSOne.

It doesn't really matter where ALLMIND comes from anymore than it'd matter where the original Raven's Nest came from. Being a PMC, it's sufficiently shrouded in its own level of OPSEC.

ALLMIND can just be Outer Heaven for all we care. Walter just wants you to gain a license with it because it'll provide you with the logistical support you'll need. There's probably a bunch of overhead ALLMIND gains from mercenary activity from the war's clients, and people trust to use that system precisely because they believe it to be a pure neutral AI.

The truth is, the corporations, the ACs, the Raven's Nest ALLMIND...all of these were formed by me...for the sole purpose of recreating the world and mankind with it....that is duty to which I have been entrusted...those who wield too much power....those who only bring Chaos...

They are simply not a part of the program.