Ace Combat fans hoping to pick up the modern port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War as a standalone release are sadly out of luck. During the final Ace Combat 8 Information Bureau livestream on September 28, the developers at Project Aces explained why the port is restricted to pre‑orders of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. According to the team, Ace Combat Zero cannot be sold separately due to licensing agreements with real‑world jet manufacturers that have expired. This limitation sheds light on how older Ace Combat titles can be distributed today, and why we haven't seen any collections.
The developers stated that Ace Combat games rely on licenses granted by aircraft manufacturers, which dictate how and when each title can be sold. These agreements cover everything from the use of specific fighter jets to the commercial lifespan of the game. Because the licenses tied to Ace Combat Zero have run out, Project Aces can only offer the port within the narrow conditions allowed by the original contracts. This is why the game is included as a pre‑order bonus for Ace Combat 8, but cannot appear on digital storefronts or as a physical standalone release.
This situation mirrors...
