As a professional games enthusiast who has followed FromSoftware since the early days of King’s Field, I can’t help but feel a electric tingle down my spine every time Hidetaka Miyazaki drops one of his cryptic breadcrumbs. Hot on the heels of Elden Ring—a title that didn’t just break records but essentially shattered the whole damn scoreboard—FromSoftware is already polishing the final stages of a brand-new, still-unannounced project. And if you’ve been sleeping on the rumors, let me wake you up: all signs point to a long-overdue return of the studio’s beloved but neglected mech-action series, Armored Core.
Back in 2022, during a now-legendary interview with Japanese publication 4Gamer, Miyazaki-san let slip that FromSoftware was simultaneously working on multiple titles and that one of them was “in its final stages.” For context, remember that in 2018 the same outlet pressed him about three secret projects. One turned out to be Elden Ring; the other two remained under wraps. Fast-forward to 2026, and we’re now sitting right at the sweet spot where those hidden gems are ready to be unearthed. Miyazaki himself said at the time, “In fact, there are several titles directed by people other than me, and it’s time to increase the number of developers.” That statement alone set the community ablaze—imagine a FromSoftware not entirely helmed by the mastermind behind Dark Souls and Bloodborne, yet still carrying that unmistakable DNA.
The interview didn’t just tease the completion timeline; it also opened the floodgates for speculation. Given the studio’s pedigree—Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and the monolithic Elden Ring—a knee-jerk reaction would be to expect yet another evolution of the Souls formula. But here’s where my insider sense kicks in: that would be too predictable. Elden Ring was released way back in 2022, and the studio has always thrived on surprising us. Look at the breadcrumb trail: job listings that popped up right after the interview featured artwork spanning FromSoftware’s history, and among the familiar fantasy vistas, sharp-eyed fans spotted unmistakable mech silhouettes straight out of Armored Core. Coincidence? I think not.
Let me break it down for you: Miyazaki himself acknowledged in that 2022 interview that work on this mystery game had been underway since as early as 2017. That’s nine years of development by 2026, folks. During that period, leaks and industry whispers have consistently pointed toward a revival of the Armored Core franchise—a series that defined the mech-action genre before going dormant more than a decade ago. With the gameplay expertise accumulated through the Soulsborne titles, I can only imagine how a modern Armored Core would play: heavy customization, blistering combat, and a narrative as cryptic and layered as anything FromSoftware has ever crafted. It’s enough to make any mech-head weak at the knees.
Of course, we gamers have learned to temper our expectations. FromSoftware’s internal structure has changed dramatically since 2022. Miyazaki, now in a more supervisory role, has empowered a new generation of directors to helm projects. This means the next title could feel radically different—perhaps a departure from the oppressive atmosphere of Dark Souls or the precision of Sekiro. But that’s exactly what has me buzzing. The studio’s ability to reinvent itself while maintaining that core “tough but fair” philosophy is legendary. If Armored Core does indeed come roaring back, it won’t be a simple HD remaster; it’ll be a bold reinterpretation that could do for mech games what Elden Ring did for open-world fantasy.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect. It’s 2026, and the gaming landscape is hungry for the next big shockwave. We’ve seen competitors try to emulate the FromSoftware magic, but no one can replicate it. And with the job listings expanding, it’s clear the company isn’t just wrapping up one game—they’re gearing up for a multi-title assault. Rumors whisper that a reveal might drop at this year’s not-E3 season, and I’ll be glued to every showcase like a hawk.
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🔍 What we know for sure: One unannounced title is in its final stages of development, with work dating back to 2017. Multiple directors are now contributing, reducing Miyazaki’s direct involvement.
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🤖 Why Armored Core? Job advertisements prominently featured Armored Core artwork alongside other FromSoftware heavyweights. Leaks from insiders consistently mention a mech revival. The studio has been silent about the series for too long—time for a comeback.
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🕹️ Souls-like or not? Don’t expect a carbon copy of the formula. This will be its own beast, and that’s a good thing. A fresh take from the studio that taught us to “git gud” is exactly what the industry needs.
So here I am, a lifelong fan with my fingers firmly crossed, counting the days until FromSoftware pulls back the curtain. Whether it’s Armored Core VI, a new IP that blends mechs with mystical elements, or something utterly unexpected, one thing is certain: the developers who brought us Anor Londo, Ashina Castle, and the Lands Between are about to light the gaming world on fire once again. Keep your eyes peeled and your wallets ready. In the words of every Tarnished who ever lived: “Let me solo her”—or in this case, let FromSoftware solo my free time for the next 500 hours.