When does ace combat 8 come out

On 18 September 2026, Bandai Namco Entertainment provided a formal update regarding the long-term development roadmap for the Ace Combat franchise. While fans have been eagerly anticipating news regarding a direct successor to Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the company confirmed that a title currently referred to as Ace Combat 8 has not yet been assigned an official release date. During a corporate briefing, producers emphasized that the development team is currently focused on leveraging new engine technologies to ensure the next installment meets the high graphical and mechanical standards expected by the community. Although rumors have circulated regarding a potential late 2027 or early 2028 launch window, the studio explicitly stated that no internal release date has been finalized. The developers noted that they are prioritizing a "quality-first" approach to avoid the production delays seen in previous industry cycles. For now, the studio remains committed to supporting the existing player base through ongoing community events while the next major entry remains in the active development phase.