Project Aces developer Kazutoki Kono says fan support keeps him going through long development hours for the upcoming Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. He notes that player feedback directly fuels his drive to continue working on the title. The studio schedules a global release for October 2, 2026.
Developer Kazutoki Kono credits fan appreciation for sustaining his work on the upcoming flight combat title.
Kono serves as the brand director for the Ace Combat series and has worked on the franchise for over three decades. Kono began his involvement with the series during the development of 1997's Ace Combat 2 and regularly posts progress updates on social media platforms. Producer Manabu Shimomoto co-leads the development team together with Kono.
The game targets a worldwide launch on Friday, October 2, 2026. Kono describes the pressure of delivering each new installment as a major factor in his workflow. He states that the franchise carries significant legacy expectations from long-time players.
Kono cites player messages thanking the team for their hard work as his primary motivation during late nights at the studio. He says this feedback allows him to push further and maintain his energy throughout development. Despite the demanding schedule, the studio maintains steady development momentum on the title.
The franchise achieved significant commercial success with Ace Combat 7 following challenging development periods during its earlier entries. Kono attributes this recovery to the team's capacity to adapt and improve based on previous experiences. Fans continue to express anticipation for the next entry in the series.
The release date stands at October 2, 2026, with no regional restrictions listed for availability. Kono confirms that fan appreciation directly influences his work ethic and commitment to the project. The studio continues development toward this global launch window.
Source: PCGAMESN
