Live Feeds
● LIVE Updated 2h ago · 17 sources tracked

Ace Combat 8 developer apologises for Belkan War pre-order backlash, explains why it happened and vows to explore possible solutions

The development team behind Ace Combat 8 has issued an apology following intense backlash from players on Steam regarding the pre-order bonus port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. Fans expressed frustration because the modern port was listed as a standalone app on Steam, but it actually requires players to install the main game to launch and cannot be sold separately due to expired fighter jet licenses. The early access launch faced a rocky start as reviewers voiced their anger over these limited launch options.

🎙️

Listen to Live Briefing

Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk

⏱ ~3 min
Speed:
RSS Source map (17)
⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
Text size:
  • ✓ The Ace Combat team has apologized for confusion and backlash regarding Steam pre-order incentives for Ace Combat 8, which include The Belkan War.
  • ✓ Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War's modern port can't be sold separately due to fighter jet licenses expiring, according to developers.
  • ✓ Steam listed Ace Combat Zero as a standalone app, but it runs through Ace Combat 8.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 17 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Project Aces issued a public apology and stated they are actively exploring potential solutions to address player complaints about how the Belkan War port is accessed.

Live updates

  1. Ace Combat 8 Developers Apologize for Belkan War Pre-Order Backlash

    The development team behind Ace Combat 8 has issued an apology following intense backlash from players on Steam regarding the pre-order bonus port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. Fans expressed frustration because the modern port was listed as a standalone app on Steam, but it actually requires players to install the main game to launch and cannot be sold separately due to expired fighter jet licenses. The early access launch faced a rocky start as reviewers voiced their anger over these limited launch options.

    Why it matters

    The controversy highlights growing player sensitivities regarding digital platform listings, pre-order incentives, and the complexities of licensing historical intellectual property in modern ports. Because third-party military aircraft licenses expire over time, developers often face severe legal hurdles when re-releasing older titles outside of original application wrappers. This friction threatens to overshadow the milestone release of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on Steam.

    What is confirmed

    • The Ace Combat team has apologized for confusion and backlash regarding Steam pre-order incentives for Ace Combat 8, which include The Belkan War.
    • Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War's modern port can't be sold separately due to fighter jet licenses expiring, according to developers.
    • Steam listed Ace Combat Zero as a standalone app, but it runs through Ace Combat 8.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Project Aces may find a way to separate the Ace Combat Zero port from the main Ace Combat 8 application in a future update.

    What to watch next

    • Any official patch notes or store updates from Project Aces regarding standalone functionality for the Belkan War port
    • Player reception trends on Steam as the early access launch broadens
    Sources used for this update (17)
    1. store.steampowered.com — ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
    2. Eurogamer.net — Ace Combat 8 developer apologises for Belkan War pre-order backlash, explains why it happened and vows to explore possible solutions
    3. Polygon.com — Ace Combat 8’s Stellar Multiplayer Reveals the Terrors of Live-Service Games
    4. AUTOMATON — Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War’s modern port can’t be sold separately due to fighter jet licenses expiring, devs explain
    5. Bandai Namco Entertainment America — Find Your Reason to Fight in Season One of ACE COMBAT ONLINE
    6. AOL.com — Bandai Namco’s New PS5 Flight Combat Game Is Out Today on PlayStation Store
    7. Insider Gaming — Ace Combat 8 Developers Address ‘Belkan War’ Disappointment
    8. GamingBolt — Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is the Biggest Steam Launch in the Series Despite Various Issues
    9. tech.yahoo.com — All achievements in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve and how to unlock them
    10. IMDb — Ace Combat 8 Global Release Times Officially Announced
    11. PC Gamer — Ace Combat 8 Steam reviewers are steaming mad about its pre-order bonus not being a standalone app
    12. Tom's Guide — Ace Combat 8 is high-flying aerial combat perfection that's more exhilarating than 'Top Gun' — despite its unavoidable contradictions
    confidence 100%
📊

Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?

Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community