Bandai Namco announces live-action prequel for Ace Combat 8

Bandai Namco has announced ‘Hour Zero’, a four-part live-action miniseries serving as a prequel to the upcoming video game Ace Combat 8: WINGS OF THEVE. The series features actors Josh Holloway, Brandon Routh, and Tamlyn Tomita.

The narrative follows three characters during the initial invasion of the Central Usea Federation by the Republic of Sotoa: a pilot with nowhere to land, a doctor who saves an enemy, and a censored journalist. Told in reverse chronological order, the story explores the characters' lives leading up to the outbreak of war, setting the stage for the game's campaign.

The miniseries is scheduled to release episodes through late September 2026, preceding the game's launch on October 2, 2026. Ace Combat 8: WINGS OF THEVE is being developed using Unreal Engine 5 and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.