Bandai Namco Entertainment CEO on Elden Ring Movie, Ace Combat 8 - Variety
Bandai Namco Entertainment CEO on A24’s 'Elden Ring' Movie, big 'Ace Combat 8' reveal, and a faster game release cadence
In an exclusive interview ahead of The Game Awards 2025, Bandai Namco Entertainment CEO Nao Udagawa previewed 'Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve' and shared fresh updates on A24’s film adaptation of 'Elden Ring,' while outlining a strategy to speed up development cycles without sacrificing quality.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve — what to expect
- Timeline and platforms: Set after 'Ace Combat 7' and before 'Ace Combat 3,' the new entry launches in 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).
- Visual showcase: The team is leaning hard into sky and weather systems for richer aerial combat and a more cinematic presentation, keeping the series’ core gameplay while elevating narrative and spectacle.
- Story setup: July 2029. After a lightning invasion by the Republic of Sotoa, the FCU has fallen and the Endurance—an aging carrier packed with refugees—rescues you at sea. Assigned the callsign 'Wings of Theve' (a morale-boosting legend born of propaganda), you and three new comrades take to the skies to reclaim your homeland.
- Focused development: Bandai Namco formed Bandai Namco Aces to let the 'Ace Combat' team operate as a dedicated studio with a single-IP focus.
Udagawa’s studio strategy: faster output, same quality
Udagawa—who also retains her Chief Pac-Man Officer title—emphasized translating strong internal development into quicker market releases, aiming to get polished experiences into players’ hands sooner while maintaining the bar fans expect.
A24’s 'Elden Ring' movie moves forward
- Creative team: A24 is producing with director Alex Garland, and Disney veteran Peter Rice has joined the project.
- Status: Development is steady in pre-production.
- Audience promise: The film is being shaped first for longtime 'Elden Ring' fans while remaining approachable for newcomers—ideally inspiring moviegoers to dive into the game’s world afterward.
Stay tuned for more on 'Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve' and the 'Elden Ring' film as Bandai Namco accelerates its release cadence.
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