Thanks to the Summer Game Fest and the recently-concluded Xbox Games Showcase, fans are riding a high after seeing all the magnificent games shown off ahead of their release in the coming years. Unfortunately, notably absent from the recent events is FromSoftware, specifically its upcoming game, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. Luckily, there’s a small glimmer of hope for those hoping for more news about the game.
In a world where developers often fumble the handling of gameplay reveals, the award-winning Japanese studio has kept its secrets locked away behind a press embargo. That is until Wednesday, June 14.
Corroborating the earlier leaks, Dangle’s Records, as spotted by u/NoisyRen, reveals that the press embargo will finally lift on Wednesday.
Naturally, this has gotten fans excited. Is FromSoftware going to finally give us the much-awaited gameplay reveal for the next Armored Core? Or, better yet, are we going to get a demo?
There’s a particularly enticing rumor floating around, and it comes with a pleasant sense of nostalgia for the veterans of the franchise. Some fans speculate that Armored Core 6 might be following the beloved tradition of its predecessors with a demo. Now, who wouldn’t want a generous slice of a new Armored Core game?
Video game demos are starting to make a comeback. Square Enix, for example, is one of the few leading the charge. The upcoming demo for Final Fantasy 16 is just one of the many examples of the studio’s attempt at giving audiences a taste of its games ahead of their release. Although this move hasn’t always resulted in critical acclaim or commercial success, it has remained undeterred. To some extent, Blizzard Entertainment and its multiple beta periods for Diablo 4 have proven that well-crafted snippets of gameplay of upcoming games can generate an absurd amount of interest in a little time.
Mind you, it’s not just big studios taking the leap. Lies of P, an upcoming Soulsborne title, proves that a well-crafted demo can help the “smaller” studios level the playing field, providing players with a tantalizing taste of the game.
A free demo for Armored Core 6 could indeed serve as an ideal appetizer, giving fans a tangible taste of the series’ revival.
Geoff Keighley, who is well known for his roles in the game industry and for hosting game events, has been curiously silent on the matter. Though not known for keeping quiet about significant releases, he noted during a recent livestream Q&A that his role doesn’t allow him the luxury of choosing when and what information gets revealed. The reins firmly remain in the hands of publishers and development teams, in this case, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco.
Bandai Namco’s involvement adds an extra layer of intrigue to this entire saga. The company was at the Summer Game Fest, but we didn’t really hear much from the company then. Could it be gearing up for a more significant reveal involving its multiple upcoming games?
As we near the embargo lift, speculation is running rampant. Will there be a gameplay reveal? Will a demo be released? Or will the developers surprise us with something completely unexpected?
As the clock ticks towards Wednesday, all we can do is hold our breath and hope that Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon lives up to the hype.
