FromSoftware is riding high on the critical acclaim of Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree. But amidst this success, the studio has dropped a subtle hint that has mecha fans buzzing with anticipation – a potential return to the Armored Core franchise.
Shadow of the Erdtree wasn't just a critical darling; it also boosted sales for the base game. Sales in the UK skyrocketed by a staggering 467% compared to the previous month, propelling the title to the coveted position of the fourth best-selling game in June, behind FC 24, GTA V and F1 24. This surge is a well-deserved testament to the quality of the expansion.
However, FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki has confirmed that Shadow of the Erdtree will be the game's only DLC. This suggests that Elden Ring's period of major content updates might be drawing to a close.
But even as one chapter closes, another might be opening. A recently posted job listing for a character modeler mentions "modeling and texturing characters or robots" as a key responsibility. This language strongly hints at a project related to Armored Core, a franchise synonymous with mecha combat.
The burning question is whether FromSoftware is crafting DLC for an existing Armored Core title or an entirely new game. Miyazaki himself has expressed his desire to revisit the franchise, hinting at the possibility of a full-fledged sequel.
There's evidence to support both possibilities. Most FromSoftware games, excluding Shadow of the Erdtree, have benefitted from at least one DLC expansion. Additionally, Zullie the Witch, a reliable data miner, discovered a treasure trove of unused DLC-related files within the base game in September of last year.
While the current information doesn't provide a definitive answer, it strongly suggests that FromSoftware is actively working on something Armored Core-related. The possibility of either a DLC or a full sequel – or perhaps even both – has fans eagerly awaiting their next dose of mecha action from the acclaimed developers.
Ahnaf Tajwar
Editor, NoobFeed