Last updated on December 12, 2025
After years of radio silence (and six years since Ace Combat 7), Bandai Namco has officially pulled back the curtain on the next game. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Thieve is real, and it’s heading to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026.
A Fresh Perspective in the Cockpit
The brief announcement trailer gave us a solid look at the campaign. You’ll be playing as a hotshot pilot brought onto an aircraft carrier, and interestingly, the story will play out from a first-person perspective in the cockpit. Don’t worry, though—Bandai Namco was quick to say the flying itself will keep that classic, over-the-top arcade feel we love.
Mysteries in the Clouds and a 30-Year Legacy
The rest is still a mystery. The talented team at Project Aces is back at the stick, building the game on Unreal Engine 5, which should make those Strangereal skies look absolutely incredible. As for multiplayer?
It’s a fitting announcement for the series’ 30th anniversary. The journey from the original PlayStation to here has been a long one, and Wings of Thieve looks ready to write its own chapter.
