Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. released the dramatic flight shooter " ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE " on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.
"ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE" Launches Worldwide on October 2!
" ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE," the latest installment in the Ace Combat series celebrating its 30th anniversary, was released on Friday, October 2, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam!
This popular flight shooter is part of a series that has shipped over 21 million copies worldwide.
Players take on the role of an ace pilot, soaring freely through vast skies with a realistic sense of immersion, and can enjoy the exhilaration of shooting down enemy aircraft one after another, as well as the "heroic experience" of overcoming challenging situations.
Synopsis
PR TIMESAs a fighter pilot, the player is picked up by the obsolete aircraft carrier “Endurance” while adrift at sea in a lifeboat.
With their home country’s navy all but wiped out, this aging vessel had withdrawn from the front lines while carrying evacuees on board.
July 2029.
The Central Eurasian Union (hereinafter referred to as the FCU) suffered a lightning-fast invasion by the Republic of Sotoa and lost its main combat forces.
The retreat continued unabated; as most of the country was occupied, the remaining forces were scattered.
The Endurance was merely one such vessel.
Aboard that ship, the player is entrusted with a name.
“Wings of Sheev”—a legendary ace, named after the FCU capital Sheev, and spoken of as a symbol of hope.
However, that fame was not based on truth.
Bearing the name “Wings of Sheev,” the player takes to the skies once more alongside three new companions to reclaim the stolen lands.
The Evolved World of "ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE"
Get drawn into the pilots’ stories
Cinematic scenes with immersive first-person camera controls offer a whole new ground-based pilot experience.
With a sense of immersion that makes you feel as if you’re actually there, you’ll overcome numerous challenges alongside your comrades and experience the satisfaction of becoming a true ace pilot.
A Richer Depiction of the Skies
A vast sky spanning 10,000 square kilometers is realistically and beautifully recreated using the proprietary “Cloudly” engine.
Multi-layered clouds, contrails, and even sunlight reflecting off the canopy all serve as in-game cues that naturally engage the player’s senses, further enhancing the thrill of shooting down enemy aircraft.
Exhilarating Combat in the Skies
Fly freely across the world, make full use of a wide variety of weapons, and enjoy an exhilarating dogfight experience as you shoot down, destroy, and wipe out enemy aircraft and weapons one after another.
Realistically Detailed, Authentic Fighter Jets
Real-world fighter jets from around the globe are meticulously recreated down to the finest detail with visuals so realistic they could be mistaken for live-action footage.
The overwhelming quality makes it feel as if you’re actually piloting a real fighter jet.
Comment from Kazutoshi Kono, Brand Director of the Ace Combat Series
PR TIMESToday, October 2, “ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE” has finally been released simultaneously worldwide.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to PROJECT ACES and the Ace Combat creators who have walked this journey with us, to everyone involved in this project, and above all, to the fans around the world who have believed in us and waited patiently for so long.
Thank you so very much.
As a 30th-anniversary title, this game traces the journey we’ve flown so far. Guided by the spirit of “honoring the past to discover the future,” we’ve poured every ounce of our determination and soul into its creation.
We have created a brand-new sky unlike anything anyone has ever seen before—one that unites the “longing for the sky” shared by people around the world, regardless of country or culture.
Our entire team hopes you will enjoy it to your heart’s content.
May this be a wonderful flight that you will never forget for the rest of your lives.
Live commentary by former Japan Air Self-Defense Force members is now streaming on “Game Sanpo”!
"ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE" is featured on " Game Sanpo," a popular YouTube channel that provides live commentary and analysis of games from the perspective of industry professionals!
It will be released on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
The episode features guests Masahiro Utsumi ( @JA14WP ) from the aerobatic team “Whis key Papa” and So Maekawa ( @maekawa_so ), a former Japan Air Self-Defense Force aggressor pilot, who will share real-life stories from a pilot’s perspective.
An official X follow-and-repost campaign is currently underway, with a chance to win a gaming headset!
To celebrate the launch, the official ACECOMBAT X account ( @PROJECT_ACES ) is hosting a Follow & Repost Campaign where you can win an ASUS “ROG Delta S ”!
How to Participate
- 1. Follow the official ACECOMBAT X account ( @PROJECT_ACES )
- 2. Repost the designated post
The deadline is Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
Win a gaming headset and experience high-quality, immersive sound!
For more details on this title, please visit the official "ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE" website.
| Title Overview | |
|---|---|
| Title | ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE |
| Release Date | Friday, October 2, 2026 |
| Genre | Dramatic Flight Shooter |
| Platform | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam |
| CERO | C |