Bandai Namco is building up the narrative surrounding Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve ahead of its October release with Ace Combat Hour Zero, a four-part live action prequel series. A newly released trailer offers the first substantial glimpse at the production, which explores the earliest moments of the conflict that will shape the events of the upcoming game. Rather than focusing solely on military operations, the series follows several civilians and professionals caught in the chaos of a rapidly escalating invasion.

The story centers on three strangers trying to survive after the Republic of Sotoa launches its offensive against the Federation of Central Usea. Josh Holloway, known for Lost, plays a pilot who suddenly finds himself without a safe place to land, while Superman Returns actor Brandon Routh portrays a doctor confronted with the consequences of saving an enemy soldier. Tamlyn Tomita, recognized for her role in Cobra Kai, completes the main cast as a news anchor facing censorship after attempting to report the truth. IGN will premiere the four episodes on September 15, 17, 23 and 29, with individual chapters running between six and eleven minutes.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam, while the Deluxe Edition arrives slightly earlier on September 29. Pre-orders will also include Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. On the multiplayer side, Bandai Namco has confirmed modes such as Co-Op Assault, where two four-player teams compete for the highest mission score, and Co-Op Warfare, which combines competitive team battles with NPC forces. The upcoming release follows Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the successful 2019 installment that later reached Nintendo Switch with its Deluxe Edition in 2024.