Bandai Namco cites licensing issues for Ace Combat Zero availability

Bandai Namco has addressed fan dissatisfaction regarding the distribution of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, which is currently only available as a pre-order bonus for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.

During an Ace Combat 8 Information Bureau broadcast, developers from Project Aces explained that the classic title cannot be sold as a standalone product due to expiring licensing agreements with aircraft manufacturers. While the company secured permission to include the game as a pre-order bonus, the current contracts do not cover the separate sale of the title at a later date. This restriction affects the availability of the game on platforms like Steam, where players cannot purchase the classic title independently.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is scheduled for release on October 2 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Digital pre-order bonuses, including the classic title and the F-14A jet, are available until October 2, while physical editions will include pre-order codes.