Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve early access begins September 28 at 3 p.m. PDT for eligible Deluxe Edition buyers. That is 6 p.m. EDT. The full game launches October 2, though PlayStation lists its regional release as October 1 at 3 p.m. PDT in the Americas. Check the countdown in your own store if you have already bought it.
Who gets early access?
Bandai Namco says the Deluxe Edition includes three days of early access. The offer can vary by country and by store, so look at the edition details before you buy. A standard preorder does not automatically give you the early start. Some collector editions may have their own terms; the PlayStation announcement specifically names Deluxe buyers for its September 28 start.
The game is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. PlayStation's posted time is a useful reference, but it is not a promise that every storefront will unlock at exactly the same local minute. If a download has not opened yet, the purchase page or platform library is the place to check your entitlement.
What are you flying into?
The campaign puts you in charge of Joker Squadron in the fictional world of Strangereal. Your pilot joins the aircraft carrier Endurance after an invasion of Central Usea. During missions you can command wingmates while attacking aircraft, ships and ground targets. The publisher says there are more than 30 aircraft, including real-world fighters and fictional planes.
There is also a separate Ace Combat Online mode with co-op and competitive missions. The early access announcement does not change the main release date or make the standard edition playable early. If you are only interested in the single-player campaign, the standard launch is still the relevant date.
What comes with a preorder?
PlayStation lists a PS5 version of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War and a playable F-14A Tomcat as preorder bonuses. Store offers can differ by region, so confirm the bonus on the page where you buy. The Deluxe Edition also includes aircraft skins alongside its early access. Those extras are separate from the main game.
September 28 is the Deluxe early-access start; October 2 is the advertised global release day.
