Music has always been a powerful part of the ACE COMBAT series, and ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is no exception.
Through characters who are themselves musicians, the game’s story explores how even in war, music acts as a point of connection between comrades, as a signal of national identity and purpose, or as the voices of those who sacrificed themselves in hopes for a brighter future.
In celebration of the music that ties these themes together, Bandai Namco Entertainment and PROJECT ACES are releasing a tribute to the music of ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE in collaboration with a musician known throughout the entire world for her craft and passion when performing music, especially songs from video games.
A Performer with the Heart of a Gamer
Lindsey Stirling is an independent violin artist who has been impressing the world with her unique combination of playing violin while dancing since 2010 when she appeared on America’s Got Talent. Since then, she has released multiple gold and platinum albums, her songs have accumulated over 2.2 billion streams on Spotify and her impeccably produced music videos have reached over 4 billion views on YouTube.
She’s beloved for her emotional original music, with singles like Crystalize and Shatter Me reaching number 1 on the US Digital charts, and her covers of legendary music from video game titles played while dancing in full cosplay. This includes her rendition of Flame of Hope from Tales of Arise, which she performed live at Opening Night Live for Gamescom 2021, dressed head to toe as Shionne Vymer Imeris Daymore.
This time, Lindsey is entering the world of Strangereal, bringing her iconic jeweled violin with her. Singing and performing the Hortus Regis Alti (Latin for “The Garden of the High King”) while dressed as Tasha Severskaya, Joker Flight’s third pilot, Lindsey beautifully interprets the twisting, spiraling flight of a fighter jet streaking through the heavens. Like a top Ace pilot, she becomes one with her instrument to send a perfect melody arcing into the deep blue sky.
The Music and Intensity of ACE COMBAT
Music has flown side by side with ACE COMBAT players for over 30 years. It’s a constant companion, an invisible wingman urging them to give it their all for the sake of the mission. It’s our hope that this music video will become an eternal reminder of those moments when their hearts raced and their grip tightened as they thundered into legend, against all odds.
Becoming that legend is the story of ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE. For the first time, the story is told completely from your perspective, in first person, putting you at the heart of the drama as you learn to fly and fight alongside Joker Flight, your new squadron. Together, you’ll become the heart of the effort to regain your homeland from the Sotoan invasion, a nail-biting climb out of the pits of defeat.
All the thrilling arcade action that fans have loved for decades is back as well, with dozens of licensed aircraft as well as fictional and experimental aircrafts and superweapons to challenge new and experienced pilots alike. With improved graphics and environmental systems, it’s the most immersive flight shooting experience PROJECT ACES has ever created.
Time to Fly
This special collaboration video is available to watch now! Try the preview, then sail over to Lindsey’s channel to watch the full version.
Join the squad yourself by playing ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE on October 2, 2026 on Steam, or pre-order the Digital Deluxe edition to play now in Early Access and unlock bonus skins, costumes, and the Premium Ace Pass Plus in ACE COMBAT ONLINE.