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Will the Complicated AIC Facility Be Arknights: Endfield’s Most Disappointing Feature?
A new look at Arknights: Endfield was presented at Gamescom 2025. The presentation provided a deeper look into its large world and fast-paced combat. The most important part, however, was a detailed look at a special feature called the Automated Industrial Complex, or AIC. This system could be what makes Endfield feel different from other popular titles.
For those new to the series, Arknights: Endfield is a follow-up to the hit mobile game Arknights. The creators, Hypergryph, are taking the deep story and unique world from the original game and expanding them into a massive, three-dimensional world you can explore freely.
Players will experience a mix of action-filled, real-time fighting and careful strategic planning. The game’s world is beautiful, but the new AIC feature suggests the experience is about more than just exploring and fighting.
What is the AIC Facility?
Think of the AIC Facility as your own personal factory and home base. It is a core part of the game where you manage and build an entire industrial area. This is not just a small side activity. The trailer suggests it is a deep system that directly connects to your success in the main game.
You will gather materials from the world and use them in your facility to produce everything you need. This includes items for your characters, materials to make them stronger, and equipment for your adventures.
The system allows you to:
- Construct Buildings: You can build different structures that each have a specific job, like processing ores or generating power.
- Automate Production: Create production lines that automatically turn raw materials into useful goods. This lets your base work for you even when you are out exploring.
- Manage Resources: You must carefully plan how to use your resources, power, and space to make your facility run well.
- Expand Your Operations: As you progress, you can grow your base, adding more complex machinery and production capabilities.
This kind of deep resource management is not often seen in similar open-world action games. It adds a layer of planning that makes your preparation just as important as your skill in combat.
Learning from Past Problems
When players first tested an early version of Arknights: Endfield, some felt the AIC facility was too hard to use. They found the system confusing and that it took too much time away from the main adventure. Based on the Gamescom trailer, it appears the development team at Hypergryph listened to this feedback.
The new views of the system look cleaner and more user-friendly. The goal seems to be finding a good balance where the facility is engaging and rewarding without feeling like a chore. This shows a commitment to creating a good player experience.
When Can You Play?
Many hoped for a 2025 release, but a launch date for Arknights: Endfield was not given at Gamescom. This strongly suggests the game will not be available worldwide until at least 2026. This extended development time could be used to further polish the AIC facility and the rest of the game.
When it does arrive, it will enter a crowded market with established games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. It will also compete with other anticipated titles, such as Neverness to Everness, which is also expected next year. The success of Endfield may depend on how well its unique features, like the AIC facility, capture the interest of players looking for something new.