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Catalog Overview
Bandai Namco Aces Inc., with publisher BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, brings players ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, a military flight action game centered on aerial combat, campaign missions, and online multiplayer. Players step into the role of an elite pilot as they take part in high-stakes missions across dynamic skies, engage enemy aircraft, and build connections with squad members throughout the campaign. The game also features ACE COMBAT ONLINE, including online co-op, competitive multiplayer, cross-platform play, and the series’ first online lobby, while PC players can choose between the Standard and Deluxe Editions.
Game Overview
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is a military flight action game that puts players in the cockpit of an elite fighter pilot as they take part in intense aerial battles and high-stakes missions. Players will fly through dynamic skies filled with layered cloudscapes while engaging enemy aircraft and deploying powerful weapons during the campaign. Beyond the action in the air, the game follows the pilot’s story through cinematic sequences, difficult decisions, and relationships formed with squad members throughout the journey.
Outside of the campaign, ACE COMBAT ONLINE expands the experience with the series’ first online lobby, where players can explore an air base with a custom avatar before entering multiplayer battles. Players can take part in online missions with pilots around the world through competitive and cooperative modes, including cross-platform play. The game combines arcade-style aerial combat with campaign storytelling and a broader multiplayer experience built around different ways to take to the skies.
Key Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
|
Developer |
Bandai Namco Aces Inc. |
|
Publisher |
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment |
|
Genre |
Action |
|
Supports |
Single-player, Online PvP, Online Co-op, Cross-Platform Multiplayer |
|
Release Date |
October 1, 2026 |
Main Features
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE combines intense aerial combat with a story-driven campaign, dynamic skies, squad relationships, and online multiplayer. The game builds on the series’ flight-action foundation while introducing new ways to experience combat both in the air and across the battlefield.
- High-Intensity Aerial Combat
Take to the skies as an elite pilot and engage enemy aircraft using powerful weapons during fast-paced aerial battles. - Dynamic Living Skies
Campaign missions feature multi-layered cloudscapes designed to create changing and visually detailed aerial environments. - Story-Driven Campaign
Follow the pilot’s journey through high-stakes missions, cinematic sequences, difficult decisions, and relationships with squad members. - Cockpit-to-Ground Storytelling
First-person scenes and cinematic moments provide a closer look at the pilot’s experiences beyond aerial combat. - ACE COMBAT ONLINE
Enter the series’ first online lobby, explore an air base with a custom avatar, and join multiplayer activities. - Online PvP and Co-op
Compete or cooperate with other pilots through a selection of online multiplayer modes. - Cross-Platform Multiplayer
Play online with pilots across supported platforms.
Editions & Pre-Order Details
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is available for pre-purchase on PC, with a Deluxe Edition offering additional content and early access.
Standard Edition
The Standard Edition includes the full game.
Pre-Order Bonus
Players who pre-order receive:
- Playable Aircraft: F-14A
- ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Steam Version)
The supplied information notes that bonuses, release dates, contents, and specifications may be subject to change. Additional bonuses other than ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR may also be released at a later date.
Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition includes:
- ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
- Customizable Cosmetic Set
- PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher
- 3-Day Early Access
Early Access is scheduled to begin September 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM PDT.
PC System Requirements
Minimum
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT (8 GB)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 150 GB available space
- Additional Notes: Requires an SSD, a hardware ray tracing-enabled graphics card, and DirectX 12 with Shader Model 6.6 or higher. Estimated performance is 1920×1080 (Upscale) at 30fps on Low settings. Framerate may drop in graphics-intensive scenes.
Recommended
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Memory: 32 GB RAM
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (8 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 6800 (16 GB)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 150 GB available space
- Additional Notes: Requires an SSD, a hardware ray tracing-enabled graphics card, and DirectX 12 with Shader Model 6.6 or higher. Estimated performance is 1920×1080 (Upscale) at 60fps on Medium settings. Framerate may drop in graphics-intensive scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE release?
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is scheduled to release on October 1, 2026, for PC.
What type of game is ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE?
It is a military flight action game focused on aerial combat, campaign missions, and online multiplayer.
Does ACE COMBAT 8 have a single-player campaign?
Yes. The game features a campaign following an elite pilot through high-stakes missions, cinematic sequences, difficult decisions, and squad relationships.
Does ACE COMBAT 8 have multiplayer?
Yes. The game includes Online PvP, Online Co-op, and cross-platform multiplayer through ACE COMBAT ONLINE.
What is ACE COMBAT ONLINE?
ACE COMBAT ONLINE is the game’s multiplayer component, featuring the series’ first online lobby. Players can explore an air base with a custom avatar before entering multiplayer games.
What is included with the pre-order bonus?
The pre-order bonus includes the F-14A playable aircraft and ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Steam Version).
What does the Deluxe Edition include?
The Deluxe Edition includes the full game, a customizable cosmetic set, a PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher, and three days of early access.
How much storage space does ACE COMBAT 8 require on PC?
The game requires 150 GB of available storage for both the minimum and recommended PC configurations.
What languages does ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR support?
The Steam version of ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR supports Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. The supplied information notes that language availability may differ between the bonus title and ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE.
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