Ace Combat 8 Announced for Oct 2 2026 on PS5, Xbox, PC

Bandai Namco has announced that the next mainline entry in its aerial combat franchise, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, will launch globally on October 2, 2026. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A Deluxe Edition will grant players three days of early access, starting September 29.

The game marks the series' first mainline installment since 2019's Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. Developed by Project Aces, the title is built using Unreal Engine 5 alongside proprietary technology, which the developer states will deliver highly detailed environments, dynamic weather, and more immersive aerial combat.

Set in the fictional world of Strangereal, the story begins in July 2029. The Federation of Central Usea (FCU) has been attacked and occupied by the Republic of Sotoa, its military largely shattered. Players assume the role of a pilot rescued by the aging aircraft carrier Endurance and given the callsign "Wings of Theve," a legendary title intended as a symbol of hope. The narrative follows the pilot and three allied aviators—Baxter, Tasha, and Coster, who form "Joker Flight"—as they fight to reclaim their homeland. The campaign is described as an...