Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Uses Custom In-House Engine to Generate Layered Clouds in the Sky

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I was so hyped when they finally announced Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve at The Game Awards! Now, I just read an interview with the director, Kazutoki Kono, and the producer, Manabu Shimomoto, over on Famitsu (thanks to Automaton Media for the translation!), and it turns out they actually started working on the game way back in 2020! That’s a long time in development, which makes me even more excited to see what they’ve come up with.

The development team aimed to create a fresh Ace Combat game that could compete with other major releases, while also bringing back elements that longtime fans love. According to Shimomoto, they focused on preserving what’s worked for 30 years and innovating in ways that would appeal to players. The core of the Ace Combat experience, they explained, revolves around three key things: the freedom of flight, the thrill of taking down enemies strategically, and the satisfaction of conquering difficult missions.

In Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, players can expect significantly improved clouds thanks to a new, in-house engine called Cloudly. Developed as a replacement for the trueSKY tool and working alongside Unreal Engine 5, Cloudly allows the development team to create more realistic and layered cloud formations with varied characteristics.

In Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, cutscenes will feel more immersive thanks to a first-person perspective that lets players look around the environment. While it’s not a major gameplay change, this feature is designed to make players feel more connected to the story and like they’re truly part of the action. Some in-flight cutscenes will even include cockpit cameras for an even more realistic experience.

Kono explained that intentionally shifting your focus can reveal details you might otherwise miss, like the actions of characters in the background during a dialogue.

The latest installment in the Ace Combat series, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, was revealed with a new trailer. Set in 2029, the game puts players in the cockpit as one of the “Wings of Theve.” You’ll play as a pilot aboard the Endurance, a ship carrying refugees from a recent attack on the Federation of Central Usea. Developed by Project Aces, the game is currently slated for release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

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2025-12-15 14:12