AG Systems

AG Systems, variously known as AG-Sys and AG-S International, is a Japan-based anti-gravity racing team, and generally considered in the WipEout series to be the prominent corporation for the development of anti-gravity technologies and formation of anti-gravity racing as a sport.

Early in the 21st century, worldwide preliminary research into anti-gravity technology and its application to mass transportation systems began. The most successful research institute with their findings was the Foundation for European Anti-Gravity Research, or EUAGR. However, despite painstaking work from Director Pierre Belmondo and countless teams of scientists and engineers, the major governments of the world considered the results to be disappointing and concluded that it would not be cost-effective to continue funding such research. Undeterred, he pledged to continue pioneering this work, but was confronted with massive public outcry and pressure from media smears at the continued use of public funding considered “wasted” on these projects.

With the financial future of AG research in the balance, Belmondo felt he was forced to turn to private enterprise in order to continue funding it. Founding Anti-Gravity Systems as a commercial branch of EUAGR with himself as chairman, he stepped down as Director of EUAGR to avoid becoming a cause for conflict of interest. After a time, this move caught the attention of the Japanese business world, ever the pioneers of transportation technology. The western world's prior stifling of finances followed by an offer of a substantial amount of money to move to Japanese-headquarters made it very clear to Belmondo where his work would be appreciated, and in time the EUAGR became essentially hollowed out, as much of the research team moved with AG Systems. With new Japanese funding seemingly secured but negative press continuing to mount, Pierre and AG Systems would then spend the next decade developing the technology under cover of corporate secrets and patent law, convinced that the rest of the world's governments stubbornly sought to continue their own economic ends.

A prototype vehicle, the Nx1000, was produced and finalized at the end of that decade, and sights were set to make the first real-world tests take place on the Nevada salt flats, frequently the site of the world's most renowned land speed records, and soon to be the arena for another historic world-altering flight. Since that first test flight, AG Systems has been an integral part of world-wide anti-gravity industry and also more notably the formation of the Anti-Gravity Racing sport. Briefly selling their entire racing operation to G-Tech in a financial slump during the F9000 leagues, AG Systems supported amateur racing in the aftermath, and rebuilt their team from the ground up in time for the FX300. In continuing to pioneer the technology and constantly experimenting between races, they work tirelessly for the good of human progress.

In the first two games in the series, the AG Systems ethos for design was unmatched acceleration and reasonably good agility to support it, with a top speed easily outpacing their European rivals FEISAR. By WO3, this ethos had shifted to prioritizing competitive speed supported by well-balanced thrust and handling. Returning in Pure, the team went back to its roots, with quick acceleration and agile flight. Underlining it all, however, was a generally weak defensive system compared to its peers, the team philosophy being that combat was intended to be a minimal aspect of the sport and racing came first. This weakness would change in Pulse/HD, with defensive shielding being brought in line with the average. With the retroactive addition of 2048, the team reverts back to their fragile-but-agile ship design, but also beats out FEISAR for handling while sacrificing some top speed.

Compared with their ship in the previous league, AG Systems' ever-evolving experimentations give the FX350 iteration improved Shield Capacity while only minimally sacrificing Thrust potential.

• Joint-last for Top Speed
• Among the highest rated Thrust Acceleration, with a slight enhancement over similar ships
• Very responsive Handling, offering a good turning rate and reasonable Ground Grip
• Average Shield Capacity

While its speed ceiling may limit dominance in open circuits and slower Speed Classes, its rapid acceleration and agile control make it a formidable contender on technical tracks and high-intensity Rapier and Phantom events.

• Top Speed upgraded to meet the overall average
• Thrust Acceleration upgraded, to even further close the gap to Goteki 45
• Handling and Shield Capacity remain the same

Engine upgrades further enhance this ship's advantages on technical circuits.