FromSoftware has really hit its stride recently, with a major release every year since 2022’sElden Ring.Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon,Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and, in 2025,Elden Ring Nightreignhave kept the Japanese studio’s name in the news, andArmored Core 6even got an episode in Amazon Prime’sSecret Levelshow to close out 2024. It’s not FromSoftware’s PS1 and PS2 output, but it’s a lot closer to it than many developers can claim nowadays, and shows signs of growing franchise diversity that has also become rare in the AAA space.
In the spirit of that, especially since it’s unclear how many more gamesElden Ringwill get afterNightreign, theArmored Corefranchise should see more love.Armored Core 6has sold over 3 million units in its first year, setting a new record for the series, and hopefullycementingArmored Core’s returnas one of FromSoftware’s star franchises. FromSoftware allegedly has multiple projects in development right now, andArmored Coreshould be one of them, if for no other reason than to ride the coattails ofElden Ring Nightreignwith a co-op spin-off of its own.
Armored Core 6 Is Primed For A Spin-Off
TheArmored Corefranchise has observed several traditions over its lifetime, like many FromSoftware IPs, but one thatArmored Core 6hasn’t brought back yet is side games. Each generation ofArmored Corehas one or two additional games associated with it, building on the gameplay, mech part content, and sometimes even the story of the initial numbered title. Because of how consistent this has been, fans have been wondering aboutAC6getting its ownShadow of the Erdtreeexpansionfor a while now. The jury’s still out on that, but there are other ways to keep the sixth generation going.
Cooperative Multiplayer Is Lacking In Armored Core’s Sixth Generation
Right now, the only form of multiplayer inArmored Core 6is online PvP, but the series has done more in the past.Armored Core 4,AC For Answer,AC5, andAC Verdict Dayall have two-player campaign co-op, with the fifth generation even boasting special bosses that larger PvP teams can sometimes fight. It’s not exactlyElden Ring Nightreign’s multiplayer roguelike setup, but these games still demonstrate that co-op has a place in theArmored Corefranchise. By expanding on what they started, a new title could be toArmored Core 6whatNightreignis toElden Ring.
Nightreign’s Example Would Serve Armored Core Well
How Armored Core Can Bring Co-Op Back
Following in the footsteps ofNightreign, this hypothetical co-opArmored Coretitle could be a spin-off ofAC6, recycling many of its assets and features in the process. It doesn’t need to be another roguelike, even if theemphasis on parts and mobility inArmored Coredoes lend itself toNightreign’s format. What this title would prioritize instead is the co-op experience itself, with the return of campaign co-op that now supports full trios as well as the previous duos, alongside special missions designed around multiplayer. Single-player would still be an option, like inNightreignand pastArmored Coretitles, but there are ways to frame multiplayer as the dominant experience.
AI companions were already a common sight inAC6, so portraying a squadron of mercenary protagonists should be a good framing device for this game’s story. It could even be a prequel focused on Handler Walter’s previous pilots, or show the past exploits of a group containing the Raven callsign. There are plenty of directionsAC6’s story and setting can take in another game, and this spin-off’s co-op could potentially return in futureArmored Coretitles. FromSoftware spent the years betweenVerdict DayandArmored Core 6honing its co-op multiplayer, and it’s time for the studio’s first multiplayer franchise to reap the benefits.
