Seven years after its release, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown reached a new global sales record
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Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the seventh installment in Bandai Namco's renowned air combat simulation saga, has surpassed 7 million copies sold worldwide since its launch in January 2019. The figure was officially confirmed by the company and celebrated by its producer, Kazutoki Kono, who highlighted the sustained support of the player community over the years.
This milestone positions Ace Combat 7 as the most successful game in the history of the franchise, an achievement that gains greater relevance in the context of the development of the next installment, scheduled for 2026.
Sustained sales growth since its launch
Since its debut, the title has been released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and more recently it was added to the Nintendo Switch catalog, which made it possible to significantly expand its player base. In 2025, Bandai Namco reported that the game had surpassed six million copies, and in just one year it added an additional million, reaching the new record.
The commercial performance reflects constant long-term demand, which is unusual even within established franchises. The arrival on Nintendo Switch was a key factor in revitalizing sales by bringing the air combat simulation experience to a broader and more diverse audience.
Ace Combat 7 superó las 7 millones de copias y se convirtió en el mayor éxito de la saga
Additional content and Bandai Namco's continued support
Ace Combat 7's success is also explained by Bandai Namco's long-term support strategy. Over time, the game received downloadable content, periodic promotions, and digital events that kept the community's interest active.
These initiatives allowed new players to join, while veteran users remained engaged with the title, reinforcing its presence within the air combat simulator market.
The impact on the community and the producer's message
Producer Kazutoki Kono publicly thanked players for their support and pointed out that millions of users "have kept flying" alongside the franchise for years. The message was accompanied by the release of free wallpapers, with emblematic images from classic installments such as Ace Combat 5, in tribute to the saga's long-time followers.
The community's response was immediate, with posts, memories of matches, and fan creations that highlighted the narrative value and the unique identity that the series has managed to maintain over time.
Ace Combat 7 superó las 7 millones de copias y se convirtió en el mayor éxito de la saga
Growing expectations for Ace Combat 8
The announcement of the sales record comes in parallel with the development of Ace Combat 8, whose launch is scheduled for 2026. The new title was officially presented during The Game Awards 2025, with the promise of deepening the narrative and strengthening the multiplayer modes, two aspects that players particularly value.
The precedent set by Ace Combat 7, which explored experiences such as virtual reality compatibility, is generating expectations about the technical innovations that the next installment could incorporate. For Bandai Namco, the sustained success of the seventh installment represents a solid foundation, but also a challenge: to surpass a standard that has already become a benchmark within the genre.
