In addition to playing the game, I was lucky enough to sit down and speak to the director Masaru Yamamura and producer Yasunori Ogura about how Armored Core VI came about and what their hopes are for it.
The biggest addition to the series is the new toggled target lock on system and updated controls. This allows players to target an enemy and they move around them while still keeping the camera focused on them. This is a big change over the older games, where all of this had to be handled manually, as Yamamura explains.
“We want to make it clear that this is an Armored Core game first and foremost. Our titles in recent years have been focused more on role-playing game action and exploration elements, but Armored Core VI is very much a mecha action combat game. When we say that we mean it focuses on two core concepts; that being the assembly aspect and the intuitive mecha action concept. Assembly is something that has always been a part of Armored Core and we feel that it has universal appeal that will still hold up to this day. So you customize your mecha, take it out into the field, and do battle with it in this fully three-dimensional space. Customizing your perfect machine, changing its appearance to your liking, and then just mastering it in combat. We feel that these two core concepts are the staple of the Armored Core series and we wanted to bring that back in Armored Core VI.
“The target lock on assist came about mainly due to the fact that this is an Armored Core game and we wanted you to, as we previously said, have full control of your mecha. It’s going to be boosting in every direction on the horizontal and vertical axes. You are going to be taking to the air to do combat, and you have simultaneous control of all four of your weapons. There’s a lot going on, it gets quite frenetic. So target assist was introduced mainly to help newer players acclimatize to this, so they could focus on those aspects that make the game fun and make the mecha action combat appealing, and not have to worry too much about keeping the enemy on screen. It works like a traditional camera target lock in that sense. At the same time, we hope that long-time fans of Armored Core will find some enjoyment from disabling target assist. If they prefer to play a more simulation-like fully manual aim style of play and hopefully we will see some amazing challenge runs with no target assist being used.
“Just to reiterate, full control of the four weapons is going to be crucial in creating these attack combos. You have to concentrate on the spacing and positioning between you and the enemy. It’s also not a perfect lock-on either, if the enemy is moving at high speed, not all of your attacks will connect. So it really is quite tough playing without the target assist and we expect players will have some fun challenging themselves by disabling it.
“There is still part of us that likes the original controls with the shoulder buttons used to look up and down, but it was the right call to update and change this for a modern audience.”
Following on from this was the reasoning on why the game lacks a realtime minimap that shows you where enemies are located. This was a regular feature in the older games, but was simplified down here to match the game’s mission structure and map layout, which Yamamura clarifies.
“There were discussions in early development about having a more open map. For instance, a more open field map and having elements that would reinforce that and reinforce the full play space and the exploration aspects, similar to Elden Ring. But we decided against it, as we wanted more freedom on the assembly side. So when you start to gear the gameplay towards exploration and traversal you begin to have the limit, that universal through line for player mobility, but we wanted a lot of variety there. We wanted players to have control over how they move and their mobility performance. So we wanted to keep this traditional mission structure, and we didn’t want a mini-map. We wanted markers, that would show the player where their next objective is. There is a (lateral) radar, which shows relative enemy positions, but it’s not an exploration and traversal focus game, so we felt there wasn’t the need for a minimap.”
The garage still has all the stats you will ever need, but these are entirely optional.
Ollie Barder
One of the bigger legacy aspects from the older Armored Core games were the various hidden weapons and mecha parts tucked away in levels. This is still very much a thing, but Yamamura was a little cagey on giving specifics.
“Yes, there will be similar aspects in Armored Core VI. There are a variety of mission types and some of the more open missions where you are traversing a large and complex mega structures, these will be a little bit more open-ended and the player will have an objective but they are also able to go off the beaten path and explore the area a little bit. They may find some hidden caches with weapons and parts.”
This also ties into the regular addition of the Karasawa beam rifle and the Moonlight laser sword. Again, Yamamura was suitably cryptic.
“We will let you play the full game and look forward to you finding things of that nature.”
However, on the origin of the Karasawa’s name, Ogura was happy to give a bit of a breakdown of what happened.
“We weren’t involved in the Armored Core games back when Yasuyoshi Karasawa was the producer, but we do understand that there is a bit of a tradition there though. As he imprinted his name in the work on that particular weapon and Armored Core as a series has traditionally had these kinds of Easter Eggs where we include stuff, like developer names as the titles of weapons. So hopefully you will find something similar in Armored Core VI.
“We believe that Yasuyoshi Karasawa has since moved on and we think he is still in the games industry. We think he just parted ways after those initial projects. However, his legacy continues.”
One of the other big aspects of the Armored Core games were the various Human Plus abilities available to players. This is definitely present, but it has been split into two main components, as Yamamura explains.
“The augmented human in Armored Core VI is more of a narrative construct than a game construct. There will be some similar upgrade elements to Human Plus but these will be for your mecha. However, the old-generation augmented human in our game is supposed to invoke this mute, emotionless pilot who is built specifically to pilot these impossible machines of destruction. It is kind of tapping into that cold, indirect portrayal of this mercenary and we wanted the player to enliven that role. So the augmented human aspect in Armored Core VI is purely part of this game’s narrative setting.
Human Plus is more of a narrative setup now.
Ollie Barder
“Separate from the mecha assembly, we also have a more streamlined customization element called OS Tuning. This is akin to those Human Plus and Overweight upgrades that you would be familiar with. These are more direct and streamlined upgrades that you can unlock as you progress through the campaign. One of these is the removal of the weight restriction for parts, like in the older games.
“OS Tuning is indeed a role-playing game-type upgrade system that applies to whatever you have currently assembled in terms of your mecha. So you will be upgrading your core parts to get things like Assault Armor and lifting the weight limit, and something we also call the Weapon Hangar. This is basically an extra stowed weapon that you can switch from the shoulder into your left or right hand. So these are abilities you will unlock through OS Tuning.
“OS Tuning was also included as a means to onboard and acclimatize newer players, so having all of these abilities available right from the off would have been a little bit overwhelming. So we wanted to introduce these things gradually and allow players to make those choices.”
Finishing up Yamamura talked about what hopes he had for Armored Core VI and how he thinks both new and longtime fans will react to the game.
“In previous titles, the assembly has been a big part of it, but it has been somewhat of a numbers game. This time we still have that aspect, and we really hope players will enjoy min-maxing their builds, but we also wanted it to feel like an intuitive action game. You will really feel the difference in the mobility and how these weapons control and behave. How the enemies react to them. That sort of feedback. We really hope this is more intuitive and tactile. So we hope that long-term Armored Core fans will notice this difference with the assembly and other parts of the game.
“Our expectations for Armored Core VI are to first deliver the core competence of what makes Armored Core. So this is first the assembly aspect, we want players to engage with this and enjoy tinkering with their mecha. Being this professional mercenary who is constantly optimizing themselves for each mission. We feel again that this is a big part of the series that will still have universal appeal today. We also wanted to merge that in a way that makes sense with what we have brought from the titles we’ve made in recent years. So we have not taken direct influence from our recent games, but we have wanted to apply that know-how in terms of the map design. So how we are designing and utilizing that three-dimensional space and how the player navigates that, as well as the combat design. So how the player is learning from the enemy and observing their movements and attack patterns, then adapting their play-style and their build to suit that. These are elements we have taken indirectly from the past 10 years and we hope to merge these to bring a really fresh and aggressive frenetic mecha combat game in Armored Core VI.”
Armored Core VI is released on August 25 for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
___
Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
