Rise Above In ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, The Legendary Franchise Returns
(Press Release)
SINGAPORE – Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia today announce ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, where a new trailer showcasing the first glimpse at gameplay was revealed at The Game Awards. Developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., the first mainline entry in ACE COMBAT in seven years promises to elevate the franchise to new heights, harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5 and proprietary technology to create a visually stunning, ultra-realistic aerial thrill ride.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE will feature a deep, engaging Campaign Mode as revealed, that puts players in the role of an ace pilot in an emotionally charged story of identity and duty, fighting for the survival of their homeland. With more details to be revealed later, the title will also deliver multiplayer modes that thrust players into unforgettable aerial dogfights against friends and foes.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is coming in 2026 to PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam®. Watch the newly revealed trailer now:
The announcement trailer gives the first taste of the game’s deep Campaign Mode, where players take on the role of an ace pilot in Strangereal, a world at war, rooted entirely in a fictitious universe but one where the weight of decisions, the pressure of command and the bonds forged in battle will feel all too real. With their nation Federation of Central Usea (FCU) occupied and its navy shattered, players enter the cockpit as the “Wings of Theve” – a legendary ace, a name tied to Theve, the capital of the FCU, and a symbol of hope for every citizen in their homeland. Joined by three new fighter pilots, theirs is a flight against odds versus the Republic of Sotoa to reclaim their lost homeland, eliminate the threat to their people, taking on the name of their capital city and carrying the hope of every FCU citizen.
Together with this announcement, Kazutoki Kono, Brand Director of the ACE COMBAT Series shares the following message for fans.
“To all ace pilots around the world:
Hello everyone, I'm Kazutoki Kono, Ace Combat Series brand director. Have you already seen the announcement trailer for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE?
The new skies and world unfolding within the trailer. The characters living within it. The roar of fighter engines and the soaring music. We poured every ounce of our resolve and passion into every single frame.
This time, what we aimed for with "8" is not mere evolution. It is 'deepening'.
Since releasing the previous title, "7," we have once again tackled head-on the core concept and identity of the Ace Combat series.
Become an ace pilot and soar freely through photorealistic skies in a fighter aircraft. Experience the thrill of engaging and destroying enemy aircraft.
We revisited each element that builds this: the rich expression of the sky, the volume of clouds, the details of the aircrafts, the sensation of the plane slicing through the air, enemy aircraft falling - engulfed in flames, the anxiety and relief echoing through the radio, the stirring music.
We deeply reconsidered each element, engaged with it, spent time refining it, and meticulously and delicately assembled it all.
For six years, we have believed that beyond this accumulation lies a "sky" you have never seen before.
Even from the fleeting moments glimpsed throughout the announcement trailer, you should be able to sense the depth of this "deepening" we've been striving for.
Until the moment we send you soaring through the skies once more, we will continue to hone ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE without compromise.
Please wait just a little longer for until your wings will soar in that deepened sky.”
Many exciting details will be revealed between now and launch for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, including multiplayer modes and other features that promise to make this an unforgettable sequel in the legendary franchise and a must-own title for fans of combat-inspired action games.
About ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE carries on the legacy of ACE COMBAT, a franchise that has always pushed the envelope of game visuals and action-packed, arcade-inspired game play in the flight shooting genre. The newest entry will once again break boundaries, with the trailer showing a glimpse at what realism powered by new generation consoles can bring to the experience. Players fly the world’s most advanced fighter jets in a game marked by stunning visual details and effects, with realistic expanses of clouds and finely rendered terrain and landscape, and the added challenge of navigating through inclement weather. Players will also experience thrilling cinematics, with the possibility to live them from the first-person point of view, adding even more immersion to the story.
For more information on ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE and other products from Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LINE and YouTube.
Title Information
Title: ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
Platforms: PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam®
Release Date: 2026
Genre: Flight Shooting
No. of Players: Single Player / Multiplayer
Copyright: ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE™& ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
CORE IMAGERY – VIEW-READY © 2025 Vantor.
All trademarks and copyrights associated with the manufacturers, aircraft, models, trade names, brands and visual images depicted in this game are the property of their respective owners, and used with such permissions.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE™& ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
CORE IMAGERY – VIEW-READY © 2025 Vantor.
All trademarks and copyrights associated with the manufacturers, aircraft, models, trade names, brands and visual images depicted in this game are the property of their respective owners, and used with such permissions.
About Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia Pte Ltd.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia Pte Ltd. is a leading global publisher and distributor of interactive content. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises, including PAC-MAN™, GUNDAM™, DARK SOULS™, along with the recently released ELDEN RING™.
More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.asia.
