Armored Core 4 for the PS3 – and Only the PS3?

Recent reports have surfaced that FromSoftware has cancelled the Xbox 360 version of Armored Core 4, based on translations of an announcement from their Japanese website. It would have been the first appearance of the series on the Xbox family – let alone a non-Sony system. Which leads to the most obvious question: not a simple “Why?” but a heart-wrenching “Why, oh, why? (Various expletives optional, but not uttered due to ESRB restrictions).”

These reports cite two reasons, allegedly coming from FromSoftware CEO Naotoshi Zin:

• New contract with Sony making the game a PS3 exclusive. “Why, oh why, oh (ESRB-censored) why?” Makes it easier to produce Armored Core animated movie through Sony Entertainment.
• The 360 version would be too complex to develop – and this despite them having the 360 devkits available in their labs for almost a year now.

Some would point out that there might be something fishy about the second reason, because From, along with Sega (which is also localizing Armored Core 4 for the North American and European markets), also did Chromehounds. Unless there are elements to Armored Core beyond that already seen in Chromehounds.

It may not feel right, even to us, and right now we’re hitting every search engine to seek confirmation of this report. As of now though, pending any future updates or rebuttals to this report, Armored Core 4 is a PS3 exclusive. It’s scheduled for launch at the same time as the PS3 launch, or soon after.

Recent reports have surfaced that FromSoftware has cancelled the Xbox 360 version of Armored Core 4, based on translations of an announcement from their Japanese website. It would have been the first appearance of the series on the Xbox family – let alone a non-Sony system. Which leads to the most obvious question: not a simple “Why?” but a heart-wrenching “Why, oh, why? (Various expletives optional, but not uttered due to ESRB restrictions).”

These reports cite two reasons, allegedly coming from FromSoftware CEO Naotoshi Zin:

• New contract with Sony making the game a PS3 exclusive. “Why, oh why, oh (ESRB-censored) why?” Makes it easier to produce Armored Core animated movie through Sony Entertainment.
• The 360 version would be too complex to develop – and this despite them having the 360 devkits available in their labs for almost a year now.

Some would point out that there might be something fishy about the second reason, because From, along with Sega (which is also localizing Armored Core 4 for the North American and European markets), also did Chromehounds. Unless there are elements to Armored Core beyond that already seen in Chromehounds.

It may not feel right, even to us, and right now we’re hitting every search engine to seek confirmation of this report. As of now though, pending any future updates or rebuttals to this report, Armored Core 4 is a PS3 exclusive. It’s scheduled for launch at the same time as the PS3 launch, or soon after.