Bandai Namco has pulled back the curtain on the multiplayer experience coming to ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, and it looks like the long-running aerial combat series is taking a significant step forward online. Alongside traditional competitive battles, the upcoming sequel will introduce new cooperative and PvPvE modes, a separate progression system, limited-time missions, cross-play and a social Air Base capable of bringing together up to 100 players.
The details were revealed through a new “Online 101” trailer, giving players a closer look at what they can expect when they take their first sorties into the game’s online mode. While multiplayer will retain the realistic visuals and intense aerial combat that define the series, Bandai Namco is treating the online experience as its own progression path, with separate save data and rewards from the game’s campaign.
Players will enter the online portion of ACE COMBAT 8 as mercenary pilots, beginning with a customizable avatar that can be further personalized as they earn new rewards and cosmetic items. From there, pilots will have access to the game’s new Air Base, which serves as more than a traditional multiplayer menu.
The Air Base functions as a virtual social hub where players can meet pilots from around the world, chat with one another and prepare for their next sortie. It can accommodate as many as 100 players at once, giving the online mode a considerably more communal feel than previous entries in the franchise.
When it comes to actual combat, ACE COMBAT 8 will launch with two primary multiplayer modes. Co-Op Assault is a PvE-focused mode that puts two teams of four players against a variety of enemies and objectives, with teams competing to achieve the highest score.
Co-Op Warfare takes things further by combining player-versus-player combat with AI-controlled enemies. The mode pits two teams of four against one another while NPC forces participate in the battle. Players will need to balance their attacks against opposing pilots and enemy units, with mechanics such as “Threat Level” and “Aces” adding another strategic layer to each match. The team that finishes with the highest overall score will claim victory and receive greater rewards.
Multiplayer progression will also periodically introduce special emergency missions. Two different types of emergency missions can appear for a limited time as players advance through the online experience.
Scramble missions will focus on intense aerial battles against a powerful NPC rival squad, with four-player teams being tasked with taking down the opposing force. Emergency Sortie missions will provide a much larger challenge, bringing all eight pilots together against massive weapons and other threats inspired by some of the series’ most memorable encounters.
For longtime ACE COMBAT fans, the Emergency Sorties could be particularly interesting, as some of these missions will allow players to revisit legendary boss encounters from the franchise. Rather than simply offering another round of standard multiplayer combat, these limited-time missions appear designed to recreate some of the spectacle that has made the series’ single-player campaigns so memorable.
Players can also expect limited-time PvP events, including traditional 4v4 team battles as well as eight-player deathmatches. These events will give online pilots additional ways to compete outside of the game’s core multiplayer modes and provide another avenue for earning rewards.
The Air Base itself will offer plenty to do between sorties. Players can use the hub to matchmake and launch missions, while a military training mode will allow groups of up to four pilots to practice together. Those looking for something more relaxed can simply spend time in the virtual space, interact with other players through chat or visit the arcade.
The virtual arcade will feature classic Bandai Namco arcade games, while the Jukebox will allow players to listen to memorable music from previous ACE COMBAT titles. The inclusion of both features gives the Air Base a purpose beyond simply being a matchmaking screen and should give players more reasons to return between battles.
There will also be shops where players can spend the currency earned through missions. The Supply Shop and ACE COMBAT STORE will offer aircraft, cosmetic customization options, boosts and other items that can be acquired as players work their way through the online progression system.
Progressing through the online mode will eventually unlock access to additional Air Bases, giving players new locations to use as their multiplayer hubs. ACE PASS holders will also be able to have their online activities contribute toward their overall ACE PASS progression.
Another major feature of the multiplayer experience is cross-play, allowing pilots on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC to battle alongside and against one another regardless of their chosen platform. With the combination of cross-play, eight-player combat and a 100-player social hub, ACE COMBAT 8 is shaping up to offer a much broader online component than the series has previously attempted.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is being developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc. The game will offer early access to Deluxe Edition owners beginning September 28, 2026, ahead of its full launch on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam.
With its expanded multiplayer structure, separate online progression and emphasis on the Air Base as a persistent social space, ACE COMBAT 8 appears to be going beyond simply adding another competitive mode to the franchise. The new systems could give players plenty of reasons to keep returning after completing the campaign, particularly with rotating emergency missions, PvP events and a steady stream of unlockable aircraft and customization options.