Armored Core is a third-person shooter mecha video game series developed by FromSoftware. The series features players as mercenary pilots operating customizable, large robot combat units called Armored Cores in a dystopian future. Players engage in intense combat missions for various corporate and private clients, earning credits to upgrade and customize their mechs with different weapons, armor, and abilities to suit their play style. The series is well-known for its deep customization and strategic combat elements. The first game was released in 1997, and the latest entry is Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, released in 2023, which is set in a distant star system involving conflicts over a powerful resource called Coral. The franchise has a rich narrative involving themes of corporate warfare, technological advancement, and environmental decay, continuing through multiple sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations including manga and television.