It has been a long seven years since Skies Unknown took our breath away, but the radio silence is finally broken. At The Game Awards 2025, Bandai Namco officially unveiled Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, the next mainline entry in the legendary flight arcade series. Scheduled for release in 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, the game promises to push the genre forward with a surprising technological pivot that has fans buzzing.
While the stunning trailer gave us a glimpse of the high-G action we expect, the biggest news wasn’t just the planes—it was the technology powering them. Project Aces is moving away from the third-party solutions of the past to debut a brand-new in-house engine designed specifically for one thing: rendering the most realistic skies gaming has ever seen.
Enter the “Cloudly” Engine
For Ace Combat 7, the team utilized Unreal Engine 4 and the middleware trueSKY to generate its volumetric clouds. For Wings of Theve, they are taking things a step further. While the game’s core framework is built on Unreal Engine 5, the developers have replaced the standard weather tools with a proprietary new tech called “Cloudly.”
According to series producer Manabu Shimomoto, Cloudly allows for “living skies” that are far more dynamic than anything seen before. Clouds will not just be obstacles; they will be complex, multi-layered environments that react to your jet’s presence, impacting visibility, icing, and turbulence in real-time. The goal is to make the sky feel like a character itself—one that can be your best friend or your worst enemy during a dogfight.
Story: The Ghost of the Federation
The narrative takes us back to the world of Strangereal in July 2029. Players will step into the flight suit of a pilot known only as “Wings of Theve,” named after the capital of the Federation of Central Usea (FCU). The setup is dire: The FCU has been decimated by a surprise invasion from the neighboring Republic of Sotoa, its navy shattered and its territory occupied.
Unlike previous titles where you often start as a rookie or a convict, here you are already a symbol of hope—a “Ghost of Kyiv” style legend trying to rally a broken nation. The game will feature a heavier focus on narrative immersion, including first-person cinematic scenes where you interact with your crew on the aircraft carrier Endurance. Expect the series’ signature melodrama, superweapons, and anime-style storytelling to be in full force.
What’s New? AC7 vs. AC8
| Feature | Ace Combat 7 | Ace Combat 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 + trueSKY | Unreal Engine 5 + “Cloudly” (In-house) |
| Setting | Usea (2019) | Central Usea / Theve (2029) |
| Narrative Style | Cutscenes (External observer) | First-Person Cinematic (Pilot perspective) |
| Key Mechanic | Post-Stall Maneuvers | Dynamic Squad Command & Bonding |
Conclusion
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is shaping up to be the “deepening” of the franchise that the developers promised. By combining the raw power of UE5 with their own specialized cloud technology, Project Aces is doubling down on what makes this series special: the feeling of flight. 2026 can’t come soon enough for those of us ready to dance with the angels again.
FAQs
When is Ace Combat 8 releasing?
The game is officially scheduled for a 2026 release window.
What platforms will it be on?
It will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
What is the “Cloudly” engine?
It is a new proprietary cloud rendering technology developed by Bandai Namco Aces to create more realistic and dynamic weather systems than standard engines allow.
Is this a direct sequel to Ace Combat 7?
It takes place in the same universe (Strangereal) in 2029, ten years after the events of AC7, but features a new cast and conflict involving the FCU.
Will there be VR support?
While not confirmed in the initial trailer, given the success of AC7’s VR mode, it is highly likely to be a feature for PS VR2 and PC headsets.