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Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Launches October 2, Includes Zero as Pre-Order Bonus

The inclusion of a port of Ace Combat Zero as a pre-order bonus directly ties the new game to one of the series' most acclaimed entries, signaling that Ace Combat 8's story shares the same world as Zero.

Key Facts

  • Bandai Namco Entertainment announced Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve during Sony's State of Play livestream on June 3.
  • The game launches on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
  • A port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is included as a pre-order bonus for the digital version and as an early purchase bonus for the physical version.
  • The game is developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., a studio formed in July 2022 by Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA, and runs on Unreal Engine 5.
  • Early access for the Deluxe Edition begins on September 29.

Reporting from 8 sources: Anime News Network, 4Gamer.net, GAME Watch (Impress), Denfaminicogamer, and 4 more.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Launches October 2, Includes Zero as Pre-Order Bonus

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced during Sony's State of Play livestream on June 3 that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will launch on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game is the latest entry in the Ace Combat series, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Players take the role of a fighter pilot rescued at sea by the aging aircraft carrier Endurance, belonging to the Federation of Central Usea. The player is entrusted with the legendary ace known as the Wings of Seave, a symbol of hope, and must reclaim lost territory alongside three new companions. The game is developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., a studio formed in July 2022 by Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA, and is built on Unreal Engine 5. A port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War will be included as a pre-order bonus for the digital version and as an early purchase bonus for the physical version. Early access for the Deluxe Edition begins on September 29.

Bandai Namco revealed Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve during Sony's State of Play broadcast on June 3, confirming an October 2 release date across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The announcement included a trailer showing ground battleships as a new enemy type and a story centered on the aircraft carrier Endurance, which is fleeing the front lines with evacuees. The game is developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., a studio established in July 2022 as a joint venture between Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA, and runs on Unreal Engine 5. The pre-order incentive is a port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, which will be available as a digital pre-order bonus and as an early purchase bonus for physical copies. Early access for the Deluxe Edition starts on September 29. The series' previous mainline entry, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, launched in January 2019 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with a PC release in February 2019 and a Switch port in July 2024.

Synthesized by Yomimono from the 8 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Ace Combat Zero Bandai Namco Entertainment

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