DaRmaZat Bandai Namco and Bandai Namco Aces have announced Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam. The next mainline entry in the long-running aerial combat franchise is scheduled to launch in 2026.
According to Bandai Namco, Ace Combat 8 delivers high-octane dogfighting action across visually stunning skies. Developed by Project Aces, the game features fast-paced, arcade-style aerial combat, immersive missions, and advanced weapon systems designed to push players’ piloting skills to their limits.
In Campaign Mode, players will soar through dynamic, multi-layered cloudscapes built to showcase dramatic lighting, atmospheric depth, and the visual spectacle of “living skies”. The narrative unfolds through a mix of cockpit combat and cinematic first-person sequences that highlight the emotional toll of command, the impact of battlefield decisions, and the relationships formed with squad members.
The story centers on a fighter pilot rescued at sea by the aging aircraft carrier Endurance, a vessel now crowded with refugees after the Federation of Central Usea (FCU) falls to a sudden invasion by the Republic of Sotoa. With the FCU scattered and its homeland lost, the pilot is assigned the symbolic call sign “Wings of Theve”—a legendary name manufactured to maintain hope.
