Bandai Namco Entertainment Korea announced details on the online mode and 'ACE PASS' for the dramatic flight shooting game 'Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve' on September 2.

The online mode, 'ACE COMBAT ONLINE', allows players to act as mercenary pilots, cooperating or competing with players worldwide. Progression and save data are separate from Campaign Mode, and players can raise their mercenary rank by accumulating achievements in missions.

Main missions consist of 'CO-OP ASSAULT', a PvE mode where two teams of four players compete for scores, and 'CO-OP WARFARE', a PvPvE mode where two teams face off on a battlefield involving NPC forces.

'CO-OP WARFARE' features a threat level and Ace aircraft system. Accumulating points without getting shot down increases the threat level and boosts score earnings, but getting shot down awards more points to the opposing team. A player whose threat level reaches 3 stars is designated as an Ace aircraft, and the outcome of engagements between Ace aircraft can dramatically swing the score.

Special missions include 'EMERGENCY SORTIE', where eight players take on giant superweapons, and 'SCRAMBLE', where four players face off against an NPC rival squadron. Limited-time event missions will feature 4v4 Team Deathmatch, 8-player Deathmatch, and more.

Up to 100 players can connect simultaneously in the online lobby. Players create an avatar and use the lobby as a hub to launch into missions, acquire and upgrade fighters, and customize their avatars. The lobby also includes an arcade featuring classic Namco titles, a jukebox for listening to music from previous entries in the series, and military exercises for up to four players.

Playing the online mode earns 'ACE PASS XP', granting rewards based on level. The paid 'PREMIUM ACE PASS' provides playable aircraft DLC and cosmetic items, renewing every two months. The Season 1 Level 1 reward aircraft is the 'ADFX-02 Morgan -PIXY-'.

Playable aircraft introduced include the 'Rafale M', 'F-15J Eagle', 'F-22A Raptor', and 'MiG-21bis Fishbed'. Aircraft are categorized into roles such as Fighter, Attacker, Multirole, and Electronic Warfare, allowing players to combine special weapons and customizations.

The Korean version of 'Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve' is scheduled to release on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.