ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is scheduled for October 2, 2026 at 00:00 CEST—October 1 in the US. Eligible Deluxe pre-orders start three days earlier. Bandai Namco’s dated launch guide supplies the European times; Steam specifies September 28 at 15:00 PDT for advance access. Those advance-access times agree after conversion. Official launch guide, Steam.
Official information checked September 25, 2026 (UTC+8). This guide covers the announced PC schedule and purchase options.
When can you play on PC?
The table converts the announced schedule into selected cities in the US, Germany, Russia, Türkiye and Brazil. It is a planning reference, not confirmation that servers have opened. For countries spanning several time zones, use your city rather than treating the whole country as one clock.
On a narrow screen, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Location | Eligible Deluxe advance access | Standard release |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, US (PDT, UTC−7) | Sep 28, 15:00 | Oct 1, 15:00 |
| New York, US (EDT, UTC−4) | Sep 28, 18:00 | Oct 1, 18:00 |
| Berlin, Germany (CEST, UTC+2) | Sep 29, 00:00 | Oct 2, 00:00 |
| Moscow, Russia (UTC+3) | Sep 29, 01:00 | Oct 2, 01:00 |
| Istanbul, Türkiye (UTC+3) | Sep 29, 01:00 | Oct 2, 01:00 |
| São Paulo, Brazil (UTC−3) | Sep 28, 19:00 | Oct 1, 19:00 |
ModOpen time conversions from the announced CEST schedule. Local dates do not establish store availability. Recheck your Steam countdown before arranging time off.
View the release-time infographic
Standard or Deluxe: what changes?
For a player primarily interested in the campaign, start the comparison with Standard. Decide whether the earlier start and additional content justify the difference for you; a larger bundle is not automatically the better purchase.
On a narrow screen, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| PC edition | Included content relevant to the choice |
|---|---|
| Standard | Base game; eligible pre-orders include F-14A and the ACE COMBAT ZERO port |
| Digital Deluxe | Base game, cosmetic set, Premium ACE Pass Plus voucher and three-day advance access; eligible pre-order bonuses also apply. Redeeming the voucher during Season 1 unlocks ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY; Campaign Mode use requires completing the campaign. |
The voucher covers the season active when you redeem it, with 30 levels unlocked, and can be saved for a later season. Saving it does not reserve Season 1 rewards. It is not a promise of all future DLC. The cosmetics also have mode restrictions: the costume and missile smoke are online-only, while the included aircraft skins become available in Campaign Mode after completing all missions. The official product page and pass FAQ explain the conditions. Check the exact retailer listing if buying a physical collector package rather than the Steam editions compared here.
The US Steam listing checked for this guide shows $69.99 Standard and $89.99 Deluxe, a $20 difference before any applicable checkout adjustments. These are US prices, not a conversion table for other markets. Steam US purchase options.
Do not confuse the two kinds of “early access”
Here the earlier start is an edition benefit ahead of the scheduled full release. Do not read it as a development roadmap or a separate unfinished-game purchase. That distinction matters when comparing it with games launching through Steam Early Access.
The ACE COMBAT ZERO bonus is a port, not a remaster. The original release announcement schedules that bonus for the main launch. Do not assume the bonus unlocks with Deluxe advance access. Its Steam application and supported languages are separate from AC8’s. Steam bonus conditions.
Three checks before paying
- Check your PC against the current Steam requirements. Steam currently lists Windows 11, an SSD and 150 GB of free space, plus a hardware ray-tracing GPU. The publisher’s product page still lists 125 GB. Plan around Steam’s larger requirement for this Steam purchase; neither figure is a measured download size. Steam requirements, publisher requirements.
- Match the extras to how you play. ACE COMBAT ONLINE has progression and save data separate from Campaign Mode. An interest in the story alone does not tell you how much value you will get from seasonal online rewards. Official multiplayer announcement.
- Verify edition, region and bonus eligibility in the checkout listing. A release-time table cannot confirm that a particular account can purchase a particular package. Keep the order details so you can compare what you bought with what becomes available.
If day-one PC performance is the deciding factor, check measured benchmarks for your hardware when the game becomes available.
Get ready with ModOpen
Download Free Client. Check the client for currently available game support.
Cover image: Bandai Namco Entertainment, from the official ACE COMBAT 8 website.
Frequently asked questions
Is Deluxe advance access the same as Steam Early Access?
No. Deluxe advance access is an edition benefit that starts play before the standard release. It is different from Steam Early Access, where players buy a game that is still in development.
Does the Deluxe pass voucher include all future DLC?
No. The pass FAQ cited in this article ties the voucher to the season active when it is redeemed. It does not promise all future DLC. Check the voucher conditions and the included season before using it.