Ace Combat Zero will split from Ace Combat 8's massive Steam install
Bandai Namco said Ace Combat Zero, which was offered as a pre-order bonus for Ace Combat 8, will become a standalone Steam application. People who already own the bonus will be able to download and launch it separately, and it will add Steam Cloud saves. The split is in final testing, but no date has been given.
Ace Combat Zero originally arrived as a free pre-order incentive for Ace Combat 8. Because it launched inside the same launcher, players needed the full 136GB Ace Combat 8 installation to access the 3.2GB PS2-era port, a decision that fueled many negative launch-day reviews.
Bandai Namco later said on Steam that Zero will become its own app. Existing owners will be able to download and launch it separately, and it will gain Steam Cloud saves. The change is in final QA and compatibility testing, with no release date yet. Some players are also asking for achievements, which the console version had.
This change may mainly affect PC players who pre-ordered Ace Combat 8 and want to manage storage. By separating a small bonus from a huge install, it could make older Ace Combat accessible with less friction, preserve interest in legacy titles, and reduce frustration. It may also set expectations that bundled bonuses should respect platform features like cloud saves and achievements. Broader impact likely limited to gaming communities, but could influence how publishers package retro ports.