Biff and the ARMS Twitter have been telling the ARMS Story for some time now, so is it heading to a climax in the next ARMS Update – could it be Doctor C?
Leading up to the release of ARMS Ver.2 (which launched in the middle of July), there was an intense level of story and character related Tweets for ARMS. As most players are already aware, the ARMS Universe has mostly been built through Cobutter – the Japanese handle for Biff on Twitter. Unconventional though – normally we would see this world building occur in game. However, since the release of Ver.2 and addition of Max Brass, Biff has been relatively quiet. The ARMS Story teases have slowed down, replaced with cute sketches of the ARMS Fighters in their daily life.
On Friday, that changed – Biff brought an announcement to the joy of many ARMS Players. A new update, due sometime in the middle of this week. While he only specified balance changes, he loosely hinted at some “happy additions” that were worth looking forward to. Since then – radio silence, though that’s partly due to the current Splatoon 2 Splatfest running. But what could those “happy additions” be? A new mode? Some new ARMS? A new character – or perhaps some new story content?
In anticipation of this new ARMS Update, let’s look back on the story threads raised by Biff on Twitter, and where they could possibly lead.
Doctor C
Introduced as part of the ARMS Lab Journal series, Doctor C had their first name drop at the start of July. ARMS Lab Journal 1 documented the inception of the Hedlok experiment – being lead by Doctor C. It was a relatively light mention which didn’t exactly tell us much about them.
The next reference came in ARMS Lab Report 4. This time, we learned a little bit more about the Iris phenomenon (ARMS users have a spiral shaped iris). Importantly, there was a reference to the ARMS Lab hierarchy – the iris studies are confidential, and those wanting more information need approval from Doctor C. This told us that Doctor C really doesn’t want that information leaking out.
In ARMS Lab Journal 2, things became a little bit more dire. We learned that not even ARMS Lab Employees have met Doctor C face to face – leaving them all feeling rather anxious. Even without that direct contact, Doctor C still exerts complete control over all experiments. The Chestlok prototype (the version of Hedlok that was designed as a wearable chest piece) was abandoned in favour of the Hedlok we know and love today. The last mention of Doctor C came in ARMS Lab Journal 3, where it appeared Hedlok had become sentient. The employees were scared, but Doctor C didn’t seem phased. In fact, the Doctor moved to accelerate the experiments. This also leads us to believe that there are two types of Hedlok – the sentient model which possesses the ARMS Fighters, and the “fun” model used in Hedlok Battle.
When it comes to Doctor C, we know barely anything, but can infer quite a lot. They’re the head of the ARMS Lab, and they’re mad with power. Pushing the limits of experimentation and towing the line between scientific breakthroughs and ethical practices – they’ve even gone as far as to try and steal hair samples from Twintelle.
Personally, I don’t think Doctor C is likely to be an ARMS Fighter. Having said that, they are the only other character to have as much build up as the other ARMS Fighters, so anything is possible. Perhaps the Doctor has self experimented in pursuit of replicating the ARMS Ability in ordinary people? If this isn’t a new character, then it’s surely part of a plan to implement a Story mode into ARMS. At this stage, all we can do is wait for more.
The ARMS Lab
The ARMS Universe is a little confusing. Biff frequently references a few different organisations.
ARMS Association – ARMS協会
Known in English regions as the ARMS League. From the way Biff speaks of them, they’re a good bunch. They’re responsible for holding the ARMS Grand Prix, ticketing and general events, as well as providing ARMS to Fighters. Biff works closely with them and is an employee. Those with the ARMS ability are encouraged to head to the ARMS Association and collect a mask.
ARMS Agency – ARMS 機関
The ARMS Agency has only been referenced once, as part of ARMS History 3. They were birthed around the same time the ARMS ability was discovered, and were responsible for creating the mask fighters use public – noting that this mask lets users control their ability. It’s likely the ARMS Agency eventually became the ARMS Association.
ARMS Lab – ARMSラボ
The ARMS Lab are responsible for most, if not all scientific discoveries relating to ARMS. From what we know, this boils down to creating masks, and creating Hedlok. There’s no direct reference, but it’s likely they also develop the ARMS which Fighters equip themselves. They work for Doctor C by proxy (no direct contact to them).
The ARMS Lab appear to run rampant with non-typical experiments. When Hedlok shows up in the final round of the Grand Prix, nobody seems to recognise what it is or what’s going on. This strikes as a little odd, and suggests that the ARMS Lab and ARMS Association run as seperate entities, rather than one corporation.
Internally, there’s also a slight divide. Biff typically Tweets two different ARMS Lab components. The ARMS Lab Report, and the ARMS Lab Journal. The Lab Journal series have a much darker vibe to them, suggesting that it’s an employee documenting the grittier, more fearful side. In contrast, the ARMS Lab Report documents experiments, the results, and the theories they develop – a report of information.
If everything was running well at the ARMS Lab, why would there be two sets of information coming out that differ so much? Bearing in mind that the Lab staff seem to fear Doctor C, no doubt something is brewing in the Lab. Will we learn more through Biff on Twitter, or are players due for an ARMS Story Mode that digs deep into these theories?
Biff, and his friend in the ARMS Lab
Biff is a vessel for ARMS information, and is quite the joker. However, there are two stand out times where he has done something worthy of note.
The first was his Tweet about his own, personal Biff Mark. The ARMS Association has a logo, and Biff has one too. It’s likely just a gag, but could be something more. It hasn’t been mentioned or noticed since then.
The second – and more important of the two – was his reference to a friend in the ARMS Lab. That came in a Tweet showing off the World Map and an ARMS Lab computer. Biff’s friend uses a special computer which they call カイサキカン (Kaisakikan). Breaking up this word, “kaisa” can mean sea-sand, and “kikan” means engine. Pairing the two together gives us the Sea-sand Engine. The GIF in this Tweet shows off Helix, and a map of the World – which Biff notes is out of date.
Is there some connection to sea-sand and Helix? The World Map suggests that this friend of Biff’s is searching for something globally – a precious commodity or material. In addition, Biff notes that this is an old World Map – which could mean whoever is using it is also old – is Biff’s friend Doctor C? Not likely, but whatever it is, there’s a lot of room for more ARMS Story to kindly expand upon it all.
Story DLC?
If Biff has taught as anything via Twitter, it’s that the ARMS Developers at Nintendo have a story they want to tell. How they continue it isn’t clear – the Tweets are a lot of fun, but leave the actual ARMS Players wanting so much more. Nintendo know how to build a world – so let’s just hope they bring it to the actual game. ARMS has sold over 1 million copies worldwide, so there is definitely an audience for it out there. They just need to capitalise on it while the game is still relevant.
As always – be sure to follow the Twitter account for JTYAKU for instant updates to all posts.
