Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is not a standalone Steam application. For now, Steam players must install Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve to launch the pre-order bonus, while PS5 and Xbox Series X|S offer it as a separate application. Bandai Namco says licensing restrictions and platform-related considerations prevent a standalone Steam release at present; it is discussing possible options with platform partners but has not promised a change.
Why Belkan War is not standalone on Steam
Bandai Namco says licensing restrictions and platform-related considerations currently prevent Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War from being released on Steam as a standalone application. Instead, the publisher distributes it through Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve as a DLC executable that launches separately from the base game. In its statement quoted by Operation Sports, the company said:
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“Ace Combat Zero, is offered as a pre-order bonus. Due to licensing restrictions and platform-related considerations, it cannot currently be released on Steam as a standalone application. As a result, we have chosen to make Ace Combat Zero available through Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. We apologise for any confusion or frustration caused by our failure to clearly communicate this distribution method in advance.”
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The wording matters because the initial Steam description said, “ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR is a standalone application separate from the ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE full game.” PC Gamer reports that the store language was later changed to clarify that the Steam version is a DLC executable launched separately from the main game. That describes a separate launch experience, not an independent Steam application. PC Gamer reported the wording change and player concerns.
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- DELUXE EDITION INCLUDES: Base Game, 3 Day Early Access, Premium Ace Pass Plus Voucher [Unlock the Premium Ace Pass for the Currrent Season] (includes ADFX-02 Morgan -Pixy aircraft + Ace Pass Levels [Instant Unlock of 30 Premium Ace Pass Levels]), and Customizable Cosmetic Set (includes F-4E Mobius Squadro Skin, F/A-1BC Team Zvezda Skin, Scarlet Missile Smoke, and Tasha Costume Set.)
- ACE COMBAT 8 DELIVERS HIGH-OCTANE AERIAL ACTION! Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot across stunning skies. Enter intense dogfights, eliminate threats, and rise through gripping missions to earn your wings. The game is developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed team behind the franchise.
- AERIAL WARFARE IN LIVING SKIES. Campaign Mode showcases stunning visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that capture the majesty of living skies. Feel the rush of a fast-paced arcade-style gameplay and deploy powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield.
- A VISCERAL JOURNEY FROM COCKPIT TO GROUND. Beyond the chaos in the air, breathtaking first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story through breathtaking cinematics. Experience the pressure of command, the weight of decisions, and the bonds forged in battle. Between missions, bond with your squad members, rise to meet adversity, and prove yourself as a true ace.
What differs between Steam and consoles
| Platform | How Belkan War is delivered | What players need or get |
|---|---|---|
| Steam | DLC executable tied to Ace Combat 8 | Ace Combat 8 must be installed. PC Gamer reported an approximately 140 GB full installation, with about 3.2 GB for the Belkan War files. Steam players do not have a separate achievement list or separate cloud saves, according to PC Gamer. |
| PS5 and Xbox Series X|S | Separate application | The bonus can be launched as a separate application. The cited reporting does not specify its storage footprint or whether it has separate saves or achievements on either console. |
The storage figures are PC Gamer’s reported sizes for the Steam installation, not a guarantee of the space every setup will require. The practical distinction is that console owners can launch the bonus separately, while Steam owners need the main game installed even though the bonus opens in its own executable.
Why the Steam arrangement frustrated buyers
The complaint is about more than how the game launches. The original “standalone application” wording led Steam buyers to expect an independent product. The later clarification describes a DLC executable but does not remove the installation dependency. Players have also objected to the lack of separate Steam achievements and cloud saves, as reported by PC Gamer.
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- ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE delivers high-octane aerial action! Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot across stunning skies. Enter intense dogfights, eliminate threats, and rise through gripping missions to earn your wings in this game developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed team behind the franchise.
Bandai Namco acknowledged that it had not clearly communicated the distribution method in advance and apologized for the confusion and frustration. Its follow-up statement says it is reviewing feedback and discussing possible options with platform partners, while warning that it cannot guarantee changes. Operation Sports quoted the publisher’s update:
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Will the Steam version become standalone?
That remains uncertain. Bandai Namco says it is evaluating options with platform partners, but has not announced that it will separate the Steam application or change the save and achievement setup. As of October 2, 2026, the stated Steam arrangement remains a DLC executable that requires Ace Combat 8.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Ace Combat 8 is
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is the series’ next main entry. In a September 4, 2026 developer diary, Bandai Namco described it as the culmination of 30 years of Project Aces experience. Its story places players in a squad based on the carrier Endurance as the Federation of Central Usea fights a resource-limited war. The diary highlights first-person story scenes, detailed aircraft and environments, the Cloudly engine and Lumen lighting, alongside a tutorial aimed at newcomers and returning players. Bandai Namco’s developer diary provides the studio’s overview.
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VGC reported that producer Manabu Shimomoto described a comprehensive tutorial and training mode intended to welcome a wider audience. Brand director Kazutoki Kono said the series’ accumulated storytelling and aircraft knowledge is difficult to replicate, and described its setting, Strangereal, as fictional but realistic rather than based on real nations or beliefs. VGC reported that the series has sold over 20 million copies and Ace Combat 7 over 7 million. VGC’s coverage includes the developers’ comments and those sales figures.
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