Armored Core Lore: Old King

The history of a man said have made strayed a monster, who saw the only way to change the world ruled by corporations was through the price of blood. This is the report on Old King and his next Lisa

[@JBrander]

- calls you lap dog - invites you to kill millions - refuses to elaborate - dies

[@armoredcorelore]

Old King give him a hand everyone.

[@GerardoSantana]

Oldking pays you 100 Million Credits. One. One credit for each life you take.

[@armoredcorelore]

What are we but numbers and our value decided not by our skills, but by the one who is paying.

[@InternetHydra]

I hope that was deliberate by From.

[@GerardoSantana]

@@InternetHydra it was absolutely deliberate

[@InternetHydra]

@@GerardoSantana I was going to add "From rarely does things on accident" until I remembered a whole bunch of stuff in DS2/3 and Elden Ring had completely different intents/backstories originally...

[@NotsoseriousNick]

Unless I am going insane and the info I am finding and my own memory are both wrong this isn't true. He pays you 1 million credits, not 100 Million

[@pragmat1k]

Siding with Old King has big prototype Frenzied Flame ending energy. You fling the world into chaos completely burning away the old order to start something new.

[@titanjakob1056]

Bane: yes the fire rises

[@armoredcorelore]

Pretty much.

[@slowjamsliver7006]

I fought beside Old King. I still don't know what to think of him. Evil, yes, but wrong, I don't know. There are so few answers, and even then did we really want to be right.

[@armoredcorelore]

A necessary evil perhaps in a world so cruel and harsh? I can see why you think this way. After all i like to think the destruction route and old king are the reset option of the world. Evil and no one is saved, but perhaps the only way to wipe this new world order away.

[@slowjamsliver7006]

@@armoredcorelore I just think that no one forgets his damn counting.

[@armoredcorelore]

​@@slowjamsliver7006 I know, out of all the words spoken in acfa. Counting the deaths of million is what sticks in the mind. Kinda cool.

[@jovandjukic7940]

@@armoredcorelore Add the fact that Jamieson Price voiced OldKing in the english dub of Armored Core:For Answer.Unfortunately,the english voice cast was uncredited for this game:(

[@armoredcorelore]

@@jovandjukic7940 Ah i know it annoys me as come on is writing a few names so hard.

[@howaboutno5992]

Bunch of notes that could potentially shine some light on Old King's motivations: -Old King has a vaguely Middle Eastern accent. (Although YMMV on this one since it can also sound Eastern European). -This is further backed up by the fact that he uses an Algebra craft. Worth noting that it's heavily implied that Algebra is based out of Pakistan, as evidenced by the company's original name of Eqbal. -Defeat AF Cabracan takes place in Colony Sing, which is located either near or directly where Lahore used to be IIRC. -The loading screen for Algebra states that their primary source of power comes from their massive labor pool and its implied that GA and Omer have a stake in this as the former relies on Algebra for foodstuffs and Omer is their parent company. -His "barrel by the gun quote" is identical to a quote by Chinese dictator Mao Zedong IIRC. Fairly interesting since there's actually quite a few references to pre-Dismantlement Era culture and society in the AC4 Era. (Anatolia as a whole, the implication that Gryphon was independent from the Corps, how the rebel groups in AC4 use Humvees, Patriot Launchers, and Abrams tanks, Moro naming his craft after an old comic book series, Technocrat being a remnant of the Russian government, BFF stoking nationalism in Europe to gain power, etc) As for Old King's mistrust of ORCA there could be several more reasons for that -Julius is an Aspina test subject/employee. In other words she belongs to the exact some colony who's leaders joined a company that threatened to wipe them out, provided them with cutting edge tech, and sent CUBE to attack Line Ark. -Neo-Nidus is a glorified TORUS member. His craft is all TORUS, and is the only one in the game to use their parts. -Mazel and Voah were able to take over GA's former HQ with virtually no opposition in what looks like a still populated major city until Wyne D and Strayed showed up. (The layout for the "floor" of Big Box implies that it might be located in Los Angeles.) This is extremely sus since you had companies like Omer and BFF monitor pre-Cradle Era locations like Anatolia and The Sphere like a hawk. With Omer even having two Ursas stationed in the Gear Tunnels and BFF sicking a pair of NEXTs on Strayed once Silent Avalanche has been wiped out. -The big one, ORCA either sending Hari on a glorified suicide mission on an Arteria facility or using him as a Guinea pig to pilot a rickety, unstable craft that already driven at least one pilot insane. (The Aretha) Lastly there's the common theory that I've seen pop up that Liliana and Lisa were both named after family members that Old King had lost. One idea that I had to build on that is Old King's family likely died from either Kojima radiation mixed with the literal apocalyptic work conditions the corps have their employees under. Heck, the emblem on his craft might actually be a twisted image of his wife or daughter with the chains representing their suffering as they died of Kojima radiation and Pentagram as the corporations responsible. (It is confirmed that Kojima radiation can cause severe sickness and can even spread as Amazigh had to isolate himself from the rest of the MLF and Toutient was dying of an aggressive cancer.)

[@andrewrogers3067]

Interesting you bring up Mao. Mao killed around 100 million people in his movement to expand and strengthen China. The exact amount of people that die on the cradles.

[@pocketinfinity6733]

I just thought he was russian

[@HQHardmode]

20 Million 40 Million 60 Million 100 Million AHAHAH! Counting with Old King

[@armoredcorelore]

Has never been so much fun for strayed at least.

[@SEVENTHSIGHN]

Lets go counting with Old King.

[@armoredcorelore]

Coming to sesame street soon.

[@haonsuni8146]

Old King always seemed somewhat odd from other linx pilots. Hearing him sing as he went about destroying the cradles felt menacing, yet at the same time he was the only one out of the bunch that knew what had to be done to actually drive true change. He's a sick minded pilot, but one with the knowledge to grasp that even if the cradles go down by Orca the same conflict will keep going like always. Love that FromSoft character writing I tell you

[@armoredcorelore]

They do write some good characters and old king is among them.

[@orxy5316]

Miyazaki is a great director

[@whichDude]

I don't care how evil this guy is. When you have to keep replaying a 5v2 fight you develop a soft spot for your only comrade. I legit think in a 1v1 fight against the 5 collard next that Old King could probably beat most of them. Wynne D and Roadie are the 2 I can see beating him. Wynne D probably a 50/50. His guns absolutely tear her up, but she might win dps race if she hits with her high laser. Roadie just tanks and will probably eventually stunlock with bazooka into missles.

[@armoredcorelore]

You know if i could somehow get the ai to fight one on one i would. But you do you do gain a weird kinship to the serial killer, you tell him to shut up after the hundreds time he calls you a lap dog, you curse at him for falling to the other nexts and if he somehow survives you look at him with disbelief. Before remembering it was you doing all the hard work with sore hands on the controller and a sense of its finally over.

[@whichDude]

@@armoredcorelore I know if I was going to play online in a 1v1 against someone with any of these crafts I would want either Lisa or Ambient. I like Lisa's weapons, but not entirely crazy for shotgun and reverse legs. I don't like jumping crazy far away from what I'm chasing down.

[@SephirothsBIade]

3:46 There is no moment in any game that stuck with me harder than this mission. Every time Old King counted another 20 million as dead, they had not yet met the ground. This mission is the color Strayed used to paint the world after the conclusion of the final path. "Heh, Lap Dog"

[@armoredcorelore]

It is quite a mission plus the way old king simply hums as you go about this monstrous act.

[@HeyPachuco]

Been curious about more of his back story and what drove him to terrorism, The fact that he named his NEXT Lisa, and his Organization group Liliana, is one of them. I'm mostly thinking of family names, since that makes more sense over the Over-exaggerated assumption that the names have some deep meaning behind it. While Liliana is Latin word for "Purity" Lisa, originates from the full name of Elisabetta which means = Gods Promise Or Gods Favor. I'm only pointing this out However because I come from an Italian and Spanish family tree and these names are very popular in both Italian and Spanish families, I'm one to assume that Old Kings Drive to Terrorism stems from Loss, but also interesting to at least think for one moment that these name meaning coincidentally align to the meaning behind His NEXT and his Organization.

[@Appleeatpie97]

Very true, I figure he just stop caring after losing a loved one named Lisa and named his next after her.

[@andrewrogers3067]

Wasn’t Sadhana a massive zealot in AC4? Maybe he got his extremism from that?

[@Appleeatpie97]

@@andrewrogers3067 Maybe, imma have to replay AC4 just to be sure.

[@HeyPachuco]

@@andrewrogers3067 Not at all, Sadhana was quite the Neutral if not passive when it came to religious beliefs, only did he preach when he came to terms with his death, The rest was intrigued by the anatolians mercenary's reputation in the Lynx Wars. this is also based on his standing with Eqbal and their own accords in the Lynx wars. However I do believe that they still had the same Agenda but they had different methods of approach, but i think this approach was shifted only After the Collapse of Eqbal and during the events of For Answer, since both the group and OldKing debuted later on.

[@andrewrogers3067]

@@HeyPachuco To be fair, Buddhists (Which is Sadhana’s likely religion given his name) are kind of told not to brag or be super open about their beliefs, just let people observe them. So if anything a zealot for Buddhism would try not to preach anything unless asked. I’m just going off his description.

[@andrewrogers3067]

In a very twisted and fucked up way…I completely understand where Old King is coming from, but I also sympathize with Strayed. For Old King, while he’s absolutely evil, his main enemy is the corporations and the cradles, both of which are a major detriment to the world and need to be destroyed, he also believes everyone in ORCA is going to die in the JP version, which supports that he knows the true purpose of ORCA. For Strayed, we actually know that it’s impossible for him to attack Line Ark and also be allowed to join ORCA, you HAVE to defend Line Ark and Megalis to join ORCA. On top of that, the artbook actually confirms that Line Ark is still standing, meaning that Strayed didn’t destroy Megalis after Line Ark. Due to that, we can cross off Strayed always being this evil dude in the destruction path. Something MADE him snap and go off and do this. My theory is Strayed was sick of the corporations using him for their gain and failing to do anything good. Tried to defend White Glint? Failed. Tried to join ORCA to save humanity? Just a pawn. This constant stress of him having to deal with life threatening Missions combined with him being used by the companies and failing to do something right finally set him off to just wanting to burn everything. It’s just a theory, but there’s a tad more depth to Strayed then we realize. Good video

[@pancholopez8829]

Reminds me when I wrote this. I feel one way is, while a bit boring, seems interesting on how it would go. Though I forgot to add his feelings to ORCA and White Glint, my bad. Stray: why should I do it? Don't get me wrong. Working paycheck to paycheck sucks and forced to be slaves to the corporations is unfair. But why do you want me to destroy Cradle 3, Old King? Old King: mhmm, need some persuasion, no? How do I get you to see it my way while making it feel you are doing the right thing? You want that, lapdog? Stray: ... yes. If you want my help, give me a better reason than getting back to the corpo's bastards. Old King: if you say so, lapdog. *Old King sends him a document to one of the lower flying Cradles to Stray* this is Cradle 21. Seems normal on the outside, don't you think? Especially safe from the effects of the pollution, no? Well, lapdog, give it a read. Stray: *begins reading the document with photos. What he learns makes him want to hurl. Especially seeing that even the Cradles aren't immune from the Kojima Particle pollution. Especially seeing that 99% of the population are dead due to Kojima Particles contamination.* Stray: h...how? How is this possible!? I thought the Cradles were high enough to escape this!? Old King (maybe a fake sad tone): unfortunately, lapdog, eventually the Cradles won't be ssafe. No one wants to admit it. Even the Corporations and Thermador admits it will happened. *Stray's eyes widen in shock*. Yes, even our leader knows the truth and doesn't want to admit or tell anyone else. At least, not yet. The differece is that the corporations want to live like it won't kill them while Thermador realize by destroying the facilities will cause many more to die as the cradles glide and, at most, crash down. Depending their landing trajectory. But a sacrifice he is willing to commit. Stray: *floored on what he learning, is left speechless. After a few minutes of silence, he makes his decision.* alright... I'll do it. I'll go with you. It may as well be a mercy kill for them in the end. Old Long: *smiling* that's the spirit, Lapdog. I will be waiting.

[@mauauauauaua14]

genuinely great voice acting. the "100 million!" is so well done, the filter during the briefing makes him even more chilling to hear.

[@armoredcorelore]

I agree, This VA made old king the terrorist who likes to count deaths we all know.

[@ailill5458]

The Frenzied Flame ending of Elden Rang reminded me a lot of this particular end.

[@armoredcorelore]

I will have to take your word on that Vril.

[@jeremynikijuluwstanevil7551]

In the game you actually can save Old king from his death, he can hold his own against some of the next with the exception of one (Roadie), as long as he doesn't get locked by Roadie, he is fine, so it's better to regroup with him because it causes more confusion in the opponent battle AI, although it is possible for him to survive the final mission of the destruction path to its end, nothing changes in the final cutscene and it can be assumed he is supposed to die.

[@armoredcorelore]

You can, but as you pointed out in lore terms old king meets his end here.

[@brandongo9365]

This channel is a gem

[@armoredcorelore]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@rampantgravity9348]

I think this was one of the first times I chose a 'bad' ending in a game. I felt conflicted for sure, but something about the situation and Old King made it feel justified? I imagine it was a degree of justifying my actions to make it feel 'correct' but I couldn't help but feel animosity to those in the cradles. They poisoned the earth and now get to avoid the consequence of their actions? I don't know all of Old Kings motivations, but something about him rang true, as if this atrocity was necessary or unavoidable

[@armoredcorelore]

I think you shared a lot of feeling of many of the people still stuck on earth and line ark at the time as we know the corporations only kept power on the planet by having large private forces around on earth and arms-fort rolling about the place. Old King i feel is the direct approach guy to this problem, he's an older guy tired of these wars and meaningless heroic words spouted by Orca and league nexts and just want a clean start. He wants the old world he used to know back and to do that this new one and all it powers must go.

[@Griever0121]

These are great! The AC franchise actually has a pretty good story if you’re willing to look deeper than the combat. Please do one on the Aretha from AC4.

[@andrewrogers3067]

You listen to the preview at the end? That and the 002-B are the next video

[@Griever0121]

@@andrewrogers3067 apparently, I missed that. Can’t wait. The 00-Aretha is the most original boss in the franchise IMO.

[@aaroncarr3413]

As a kid I could only care about the gameplay and it was more than enough for me

[@nunyabiznes6702]

I see Justin White is a man of culture🍻

[@Calvados656]

Just so you know you actually can keep Oldking alive on that last mission. I managed to do it once on Hard difficulty (pretty sure him staying alive was pure luck though as I wasn't really trying to do it). It was long enough ago though that I dont remember what dialog if any he gave.

[@armoredcorelore]

You are correct and i know i promise i do try everything i can with a mission. Sadly it does not offer any new dialogue and the game seems to push the idea that Strayed is the only survivor, so lore wise this is the final battle for Old King.

[@bombomos]

"Heh Lapdog"

[@allengordon6929]

I wonder if Lilliana is the woman on his emblem? Maybe she's his motivation, and he named his organization after her.

[@armoredcorelore]

It possible, sadly a lot of lynx have so little information on them and that's all we have to work with.

[@allengordon6929]

@@armoredcorelore this is fromsoft, we have to extrapolate here. I like to think Lilliana was his daughter, and that she was a cradle resident, who knew about the cradles producing atmospheric kojima corruption. She was probably killed to cover this up. My evidence is that Old King's rants against ORCA do not mention, at all, the environmentalist ideology. He may have attempted to hijack that organization to fuel his personal vendetta. Also, Lilliana the Organization is seemingly composed entirely of Slavs like Old King himself, likely the result of a now long-lost settlement or colony. Old King may have been a Village Elder or Chieftain of this settlement or colony, and Lilliana it's defence forces.

[@lucianjaeger1708]

I must of been in a minority I liked old king a broken man tired of getting played and that at least to me is what his path a cut the bullshit and make them act path "A necessary evil" since from what I remember you just played like a chump in the other endings. Orca wasn't even supposed to succeed if I remember right as much as I loved the idea of opening the path to space. Old Kings method while brutal forced the reset humanity needed to get its shit in gear so to speak.

[@armoredcorelore]

Well I admit i have a liking for the old guy too. But yes the ex terrorist certainly did live and die by the gun even if in the end it was strayed who did most the work.

[@lucianjaeger1708]

@@armoredcorelore Agreed mate 👍

[@Monntauk]

Bless the almighty algorithm for finally recommending me something I'd like to watch. I've been very interested in armored core lore for awhile, so finding this channel was a nice surprise. Hope the rumored new armored core brings you some more subs.

[@armoredcorelore]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@BlueAsterismSolstice]

It could be said that his words hold a bit more meaning in the 2v4 mission. In the introduction of AC4, it started with "In the myth, God is force." A brief reminder of the sort of game these corporations and their LINX pilots are playing. Especially when we see kojima weapons and tech, when we see experimental NEXTs that kill their own pilots, and always another behemoth craft from Sol Dios to Arms Forts with little discrimination in who to point them to in their arms race. Not until a conversation with Roadie and Wynne do they stop to talk humanity and being paid for killing. A proper Fromsoft plot narrative that good isn't necessarily good.

[@armoredcorelore]

Sure there is always a lot to unpack in ac games and that choice is the players really if they want to see it they can read everything, take in the words of in game characters and see this world is something these big corporations know they have ruined this planet and now are looking for a way out and are willing to do anything to keep power even if it means creating a puppet to be the big bad while they pretend to be the heroes.

[@savagediamonds1120]

The fact the track that was playing when the cradles were being shot down was a very happy sounding rock track was wild

[@armoredcorelore]

You made you choice, now enjoy this awesome rock music ha ha.

[@KXIIILiquidKorvid]

The cradles and they're corporate creators doomed the planet, why should they continue to reap the benefits of escaping the consequences of their actions? Old King is brutal, but honestly at the end of the day he is right. Maybe with ths cradles gone what humanity left below can begin to heal. With the corporate ships no longer adding even more poison to the atmosphere and draining energy, who knows maybe the people can gather their resources and look towards the future, towards the scarlet skies of the stars. Amazing video highlighting my favorite armored core character, you earned a sub.

[@armoredcorelore]

Thank you and that was his answer to it all. He was the only faction if you will that that the league had no power over so its a choice of free will rather then corporations pulling strings.

[@Raso719]

ONE HUNDRED MILLION! AHAHAHAH! *Thunder claps*

[@armoredcorelore]

Don't forget the evil laugh mawhahaha!

[@ethanspaziani1070]

This was a very good video I love that you actually look into all of it I am really enjoying these I look forward to more once again thanks for making these videos for those who don't already know the lore I know armored core can seem kind of confusing especially to those who don't really play the games and look into it that much you're doing a great job

[@armoredcorelore]

Thank you for you kind praise.

[@MeepSpelar]

It's very interesting to know about him. Thank you for the video.

[@armoredcorelore]

Thank you.

[@AWholeLegionary]

You should do one on Champion Champs if you're able to track down lore on him. Because I find men of few words interesting.

[@armoredcorelore]

I'll dig around and see what i can find.

[@Shin-CannotFly]

This was in my KZbin recommended! Your content definitely seems to be appreciated by the algorithm! As well as by me! You have a great script! I have no clue what you are talking about though! It seems really interesting! If you gave more context I’m sure even more folks will flock to your videos!

[@armoredcorelore]

Thank you for your kind praise and it is a surprise to hear this about the algorithm. Still to explain, these videos are talking about a range of subjects from a video game series called Armored Core 4 and for answer made by fromsoft.

[@dimamatat5548]

Old kings is one of the evilest characters in gaming. He makes Makarov look like a saint.

[@armoredcorelore]

Sorry my brain went straight to Fairy tails guild master when i read that name. Who you mean is the call of duty Vladimir Makarov i imagine and well i think maybe if Makariv had a giant war machine of death, he might just be as bad ha ha.

[@jellyrollmorton5681]

One of the most interesting characters, a great video as always! Keep it up! Your work is greatly appreciated and helps people to better understand this wonderful videogame franchise

[@armoredcorelore]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@jellyrollmorton5681]

@@armoredcorelore Hi, would you like to cooperate together for the creation of some content related to AC? I've sent you some informations on the FB page, i would be honored to cooperate with you for something more accurate on the lore aspect of the games.

[@BANKSREGIME]

LOL Got a lot of good memories with this guy ! had a good time with him he's a good friend.

[@skeltaldelegate5408]

Looking forward to a video on the LAHIRE frame

[@armoredcorelore]

I'll put it on my growing list.

[@elidickey7357]

Old king goes so hard idgaf

[@armoredcorelore]

Man lost a lot to the world, so now he's going to f the world.

[@SaarkinCho]

some games present you with the trolley problem. good games let you do multi-track drifting

[@armoredcorelore]

And some say blow it up! Do it! ha ha.

[@matthewhanson498]

has anyone every finished the mission with old king alive? I almost did once, but ran out ammo

[@armoredcorelore]

I have, but sadly nothing is said about it. It seems the king will always lose his crown here.

[@matthewhanson498]

@@armoredcorelore interesting, thanks for the reply! Loving your videos

[@oldking7480]

Best bro ever.

[@Screamus]

ArmoredCoreLore, are you going to do AC:V and VD lore? I never played those games and I never will unless it's released on PC. I know the fans don't like them, but the premise sounds interesting and the trailers are my favorite out of all AC games.

[@armoredcorelore]

I will as my goal is to cover all the series from start to finish. I just want to make sure I've covered all i can in a generation before i move on.

[@Screamus]

@@armoredcorelore Looking forward to them!

[@megagundamva2694]

Can you Do ambient Next Not only have i Played AC4 And ACFA Iv also Got the Kit of Ambient

[@leviguwap3654]

long live old king

[@armoredcorelore]

You have chosen your answer.

[@VaporRonin]

I wanna start making some armored Core style fictional in universe emblems, soon...

[@armoredcorelore]

Good luck and let me know if you do.

[@VaporRonin]

@@armoredcorelore Definitely

[@stringwhore]

Zenaida!!!!

[@ShadowLurker334]

100 million!

[@armoredcorelore]

Mahahhahah!

[@edd5554]

5:15 Which Kojima Weapon is this? And where to get? :o

[@armoredcorelore]

It is the Arsenikon and i don't know exactly when it unlocks, however most parts become open to the player after beating the league ending.

[@galacticknight55544]

Old King is the most evil character in the game by far. There are no good guys in this game (except Line Ark), but Old King is the only one who enjoys killing for its own sake.

[@mongedopantano6169]

He enjoys killing CEO rich people, i can excuse it.

[@hades1545]

Ngl i find the voice actor of old king sounding like russian

[@zyphrorodriguez6548]

They are over weight because of the regulations switch to 1.0 reg

[@armoredcorelore]

Cool, thanks.

[@Fuck_Anime]

Old king did nothing wrong

[@armoredcorelore]

If that is your answer.

[@Fuck_Anime]

@@armoredcorelore ye