Popular aerial combat simulatorAce Combatcould be gearing up for a major comeback, with Bandai Namco hinting at a new announcement for the franchise’s 30th anniversary. The beloved series of aerial shooters from Bandai Namco has been one of the icons of its genre for many console generations, dating all the way back to the first game’s launch in the mid-1990s. TheAce Combatfranchise has seen seven main-series numbered games, alongside a plethora of side games and spinoffs throughout the thirty years of its life. Now, Bandai Namco may be hinting at the series' next installment.
The debut of a newAce Combatgame has long been the subject of rumors, withAce Combat 8believed to be in development for several years. Word of a potential newAce Combatsurfaced as early as 2021, withPokemon Brilliant Diamond and ShiningPearldeveloper ILCA said to be involved with the game. While the newAce Combatwould go silent for several years, leaks emerged last year suggesting thatBandai Namco was officially working onAce Combat 8. Bandai Namco is now teasing fans with news about theAce Combatfranchise’s future.
As reported by PushSquare, Bandai Namco is teasing the next major announcement for theAce Combatfranchise to arrive soon. Brand director Kazutoki Kono began by expressing his gratitude to fans of the franchise for their support over the three decades since the release of the firstAce Combat. Kono’s statement briefly teased the franchise’s future, suggesting thatAce Combatis ready to “take flight again and soar to new heights.” The statement from Kono did not include any timeframe for fans to expect the newAce Combatannouncement from Bandai Namco.
Bandai Namco May Announce Ace Combat 8 Soon
The launch of a brand-newAce Combatgame would look to be a welcome return for the beloved aerial combat games. The franchise has not seen a new installment in more than six years,last launchingAce Combat 7: Skies Unknownin early 2019.Ace Combat 8would likely look to replicate the success of the seventh numbered entry in the series, withAce Combat 7quickly becoming the best-selling game in theAce Combatfranchise.Ace Combat 7even received a “VR Mode,” offering a variety of missions separate from the main story.
Bandai Namco looks to have plenty of exciting announcements coming for fans in just a few days. The developer recently announced its “Summer Showcase” to air later this week, hinting at some major headliners likeCode Vein 2andTekken 8among others. Bandai Namco also teased at least one brand-new game set to appear during the presentation, with anew game based onMy Hero Academiaset to be announced.Ace Combatfans could be in for some exciting news during the Summer Showcase with the franchise getting ready to take to the skies once again.
