Overview
- Bandai Namco announced on Tuesday that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will launch on October 2, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam.
- All digital pre-orders include a digital port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War plus an unlocked F-14A for use in Ace Combat 8, and the Deluxe Edition grants three days of early access starting September 29.
- The developer detailed new gameplay systems on its official site, including a Chain Destruction mechanic where falling debris causes secondary damage and an option to equip a secondary special weapon at the cost of reduced ammunition.
- Ace Combat Online will use player-created pilot avatars for co-op and competitive matches of up to eight players, will support cross-play but not cross-save, and will offer seasonal content through a paid Premium Ace Pass.
- The game is built by Bandai Namco Aces on Unreal Engine 5 with the studio’s Cloudly tech to boost visuals and weather effects, marking the series’ return to a cinematic, character-led story plus a live-service approach that could change how future updates and content are delivered.