Bandai Namco CEO on A24's 'Elden Ring' Film, 'Ace Combat 8' Reveal, and Faster Game Strategy (Exclusive)

New Ace Combat Game Set for 2026

Bandai Namco Entertainment has officially announced the next installment in its popular flight-shooter series, "Ace Combat." The game, titled "Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve," was unveiled at the 2025 Game Awards and has already generated significant excitement among fans. This new entry in the franchise will take place after the events of "Ace Combat 7" and before "Ace Combat 3." It is scheduled to launch in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam.

A New Era for Ace Combat

Before the event, Bandai Namco Entertainment CEO Nao Udagawa provided a sneak peek at the upcoming title, along with updates on other projects. She discussed the development of the "Elden Ring" movie, which is being produced by A24, and shared her vision for the company's future direction.

Udagawa emphasized that the graphics in "Ace Combat 8" have been a major focus. "The visuals are something we really leaned into heavily, especially the visual expression of the sky itself," she said. "I think about how the clouds are shown and rendered - every time I received updates from the developers, I was amazed by the progress they made with the sky and the clouds, and how it ties into the weather changes. I believe this is something the fans will really appreciate."

She also highlighted the importance of storytelling and cinematic presentation in the game. "It's a franchise IP, so fans can expect the gameplay they know and love. But we're adding value in the story and narrative, as well as the cinematic way it's delivered. It's going to feel like an epic movie that you'll want to see on a big screen."

Storyline and Setting

According to Bandai Namco's description, "Ace Combat 8" follows a fighter pilot who is adrift at sea in a rescue boat until an outdated aircraft carrier, the Endurance, pulls them aboard. The player's homeland's navy is shattered, and the aging vessel is far from the front lines. In July 2029, the Federation of Central Usea (FCU) has fallen under a lightning invasion by the Republic of Sotoa. Most of the nation is occupied, and the military is scattered. The Endurance is just one fragment of what remains.

On this ship, the player is given a single name: "Wings of Theve." A legendary ace, a symbol of hope, and a name tied to Theve, the FCU capital. But that legend was a lie—mere propaganda to keep morale alive. Now, the player must carry that name and take to the skies again. With three new comrades at their side, the mission is to reclaim the lost homeland.

New Studio for Ace Combat

To focus on the development of "Ace Combat 8," Bandai Namco Entertainment established a new studio called Bandai Namco Aces. This allows the "Ace Combat" franchise team to operate as their own business with a singular focus on this IP.

Udagawa spoke about her strategy for the company's game studios. "One thing I'm looking at right now is the speed and cycles of development," she said. "While it's great to develop internally and have these discussions to improve the quality of the experience, the end goal is to deliver the product to the market. Translating all of these discussions into quicker output while maintaining quality is something I'm focusing on."

Elden Ring Movie Update

In addition to the new "Ace Combat" game, Bandai Namco Entertainment is working on a film adaptation of its "Elden Ring" game franchise with A24 and director Alex Garland. Although details about the project are limited, Udagawa confirmed that Hollywood veteran Peter Rice has joined the project.

"Development is steady at the moment, and we have A24 helming the project with Alex Garland and Peter Rice—very well-known names and heavy hitters in the film industry," Udagawa said. "We're very excited about how it's shaping up, but that's where the development and pre-production currently stand."

When asked about the focus of the movie, Udagawa emphasized that the primary goal is to please the fans. "Our first priority is the 'Elden Ring' fans, making sure they feel it's a great movie and a great experience. For those who haven't played the game yet, we hope they'll be inspired to try it and experience the world from multiple angles."