Ace Combat 8 Multiplayer Revealed: Biggest Online Mode Yet

Sep 1, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is preparing to take the series’ online combat to another level.

Bandai Namco has revealed the multiplayer features coming to the next entry in its long-running aerial combat franchise, showcasing what the publisher describes as the biggest online offering in Ace Combat history.

The newly released “Online 101” trailer details an ambitious multiplayer experience built around cooperative missions, competitive battles, online progression and a massive virtual Air Base capable of hosting up to 100 players.

With Ace Combat 8 approaching its October launch, the latest reveal makes it clear that multiplayer isn’t simply an extra mode attached to the campaign — Bandai Namco is treating it as a substantial part of the overall experience.

A 100-Player Air Base Becomes Your Online Home

One of the biggest additions is the new Air Base, a virtual multiplayer lobby where as many as 100 players can gather.

Players enter Ace Combat 8’s online mode as mercenary pilots and can customize their avatars before entering the Air Base.

Rather than simply navigating traditional multiplayer menus, pilots will be able to move around the facility, interact with other players and prepare for upcoming sorties.

The Air Base serves as the central hub for matchmaking and multiplayer progression, but there are also activities available when players aren’t flying.

Pilots can participate in military training with up to four players, communicate with other players, listen to music from previous Ace Combat games through the Jukebox and even visit a virtual arcade featuring classic Bandai Namco games.

It’s a significantly more social approach to multiplayer than previous entries in the series.

Co-Op Assault Pits Two Teams Against the Enemy

One of Ace Combat 8’s primary multiplayer modes is Co-Op Assault.

The PvE-focused mode features two teams consisting of four pilots each.

Instead of directly fighting the opposing team, both squads battle AI-controlled enemy forces while competing to earn the highest score.

Different missions will feature different enemies and objectives, giving players an incentive to coordinate their aircraft and tactics while simultaneously trying to outperform the other squad.

That creates an interesting combination of cooperation and competition: you’re fighting alongside other players against a common enemy, but you’re still trying to prove which squad is better.

Co-Op Warfare Mixes PvP and PvE

Players looking for something more directly competitive can jump into Co-Op Warfare.

This mode uses a PvPvE structure, once again placing two teams of four pilots into battle.

This time, however, players aren’t just fighting NPC aircraft.

Both teams must contend with one another while AI-controlled forces remain active across the battlefield.

The mode also incorporates systems including Threat Levels and powerful Ace pilots, creating battles where the situation can change rapidly depending on how each team performs.

Victory goes to the team with the highest combined score, with the winners receiving greater rewards.

For a franchise built around huge aerial engagements, adding PvPvE encounters could create some of Ace Combat 8’s most unpredictable battles.

Emergency Missions Bring Back Massive Threats

The multiplayer experience becomes even more ambitious through limited-time Emergency Missions.

One type, called Scramble, sends a four-player team against an elite NPC squad in an intense aerial dogfight.

But the larger Emergency Sortie missions may be considerably more exciting for longtime fans.

These encounters bring eight pilots together to battle enormous weapons inspired by major confrontations from throughout Ace Combat history.

Essentially, Ace Combat’s massive boss battles are becoming multiplayer raids.

It’s an idea that feels particularly well suited to the franchise. Instead of taking down a gigantic airborne weapon alone, an entire squadron of players will be able to attack it together.

Traditional PvP Isn’t Going Anywhere

Players who prefer straightforward competitive dogfighting will still have options.

Ace Combat 8 will feature limited-time PvP events supporting traditional 4v4 team battles along with eight-player deathmatches.

That means the online experience will offer several distinct styles of play rather than relying entirely on one multiplayer format.

Players can choose between cooperative PvE, PvPvE battles, large-scale emergency missions and traditional competitive dogfights.

Cross-Play Connects PlayStation, Xbox and PC

Ace Combat 8’s multiplayer will also support cross-platform play.

Players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC will be able to compete and cooperate with one another.

Cross-play could prove particularly important for the game’s long-term multiplayer population. Instead of dividing the community between three separate ecosystems, pilots will have access to a much larger shared pool of players.

Multiplayer Has Its Own Progression System

Online progression is separate from Ace Combat 8’s campaign.

Players begin their multiplayer career as mercenary pilots and earn currency and rewards by completing missions.

Those rewards can then be used to purchase aircraft, customization items, boosts and other equipment through facilities located inside the Air Base.

Continued progression can even unlock additional Air Bases, giving players access to new multiplayer hubs as they advance.

Players with an ACE PASS will also have their online activities contribute toward pass progression.

It’s another indication that Bandai Namco sees multiplayer as a long-term component of Ace Combat 8 rather than a side attraction.

Ace Combat 8 Is Thinking Much Bigger Online

Ace Combat has always excelled at creating the fantasy of being an elite fighter pilot surrounded by enormous battles.

Ace Combat 8 appears determined to extend that fantasy into multiplayer.

A 100-player social hub is already a major departure for the series, but combining it with cooperative missions, PvPvE battles, traditional PvP and eight-player encounters against enormous weapons makes this easily one of the franchise’s most ambitious attempts at online play.

The inclusion of cross-play could be equally important.

Multiplayer games live and die by their communities, and allowing PlayStation, Xbox and PC pilots to share the same skies should give Ace Combat 8 a considerably larger pool of players from launch.

More importantly, the variety of modes means multiplayer isn’t limited to players interested in highly competitive dogfighting.

Someone who would normally avoid PvP can instead join friends for cooperative missions or take part in huge Emergency Sorties.

That could dramatically broaden the appeal of Ace Combat multiplayer.

When Does Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Release?

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam.

Deluxe Edition owners will receive early access ahead of the standard release.

Between its cinematic campaign and what is now shaping up to be the franchise’s largest multiplayer offering, Ace Combat 8 could represent one of the biggest evolutions the series has seen in years.

We’ll find out when pilots return to the skies this October.

Are you more interested in Ace Combat 8’s campaign or its new multiplayer modes? Let us know in the comments.