In the first two weeks since its launch, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, the latest in the line of mecha-based vehicular combat games developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, has reportedly sold over 1.2 million units on Steam alone.
With this new albeit unofficial revelation, FromSoftware has now enjoyed two of its most successful outings in back-to-back years, starting with Elden Ring, which also won Game of the Year and plenty of other accolades in its launch last year.
However, these figures are primarily estimates, sourced from VG Insights. Data from this site during a game’s initial release can often be far from the actual sales figures. As more data comes to light over time, these estimations tend to be more accurate, particularly a month or more post-launch. Still, even with a margin of error, the figures underline the success of the game on the PC platform.
What’s intriguing about this success is the quality of the PC port of Armored Core 6. Critics and players alike have noted its superiority when compared to previous FromSoftware titles, including even Elden Ring. This has added to the game’s allure and helps explain why it’s selling extremely well, presumably enticing more potential buyers who might have otherwise been hesitant.
Digital Foundry, in one of their recent talk shows, even crowned Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon as one of the best PC ports this year. Impressively, the game, though last-gen, has shown solid performance on older graphics cards – a rarity in a day and age where even expensive set-ups are struggling to run games like Starfield and Immortals of Aveum.
Armored Core 6’s resonance goes beyond mere technical prowess. The game lands the exhilarating experience of piloting mechs, flying around, and engaging in explosive combat. Despite discussions about the game mechanics, such as the stagger system and weapon balance, the general consensus is that Armored Core 6 is thrilling to play, which is saying something since it launched right in between two of the most year’s most talked about games.
The surge in PC gaming, especially in Japan, could be one of the reasons behind the game’s rapid sales. Historically, PC gaming had a different perception in Japan, often associated with niche interests. But, this has shifted in the past few years, thanks to factors like the global pandemic, a scarcity of PS5 consoles, and a growing openness to indie games and international markets. Additionally, a rise in Japanese streamers favoring PCs for their sessions has shown the masses that PC is a formidable platform for gaming.
Furthermore, the evolution of technology has made cross-platform porting easier. The PC’s market share has grown a lot more, and with the advent of efficient cross-platform frameworks and libraries, games can be easily launched on multiple platforms simultaneously.
Given its monumental success, the future looks promising for Armored Core. Yasuhiro Kitao, the producer of Armored Core 6, confirmed that FromSoftware is working on multiple projects, which hopefully includes the next entry in the series within the current decade.
Taking a step back, the year has been a landmark for gaming, with titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Diablo 4, Starfield, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Final Fantasy 16 gracing us with their presence. Yet, Armored Core 6 stands tall among these giants, solidifying its place in the pantheon of this year’s gaming achievements.
