Bandai Namco’s Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has been doing very well since it initially launched in early 2019. The company has announced that the title has now sold more than 3 million copies world wide, which is the highest amount for any Ace Combat entry to achieve. Do commemorate this, the company revealed that they will be adding in some new free DLC coming later this month, as well as another big surprise. A brand new Ace Combat game is in development, and is being developed with studio ILCA, or I Love Computer Art, who also assisted with the current entry.
Series Producer Kazutoki Kono states that ILCA will have a much bigger hand on the development side this time. “That’s why we want to form a business alliance with ILCA, who will become more deeply involved in the Ace Combat series than ever before, and create a new Ace Combat.” No further information was given in regards to this new entry, but considering the amount of content that Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has been receiving since it released, we’d imagine that the next one will be even bigger.
Besides assisting with the Ace Combat series, ILCA’s resume is very impressive. The Japanese developer has also co-developed Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age with Square Enix, and is also currently working on The Idolmaster: Starlit Season which is due to release this October. However, the biggest project that they have attached to their name is the upcoming Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl, the official remakes of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, which is also set to launch later this year on November 19.
As for the free DLC coming this month, it will consist of new skins that were inspired by the real life Japan Air Self Defense Force. It will also have song tracks from previous Ace Combat entries that will be accessible in the game’s multiplayer mode. Lastly, two more DLC packs were announced and will be coming at a later date.