ACE COMBAT 8 on PC: Flight Sticks, Crashes and System Requirements
ACE COMBAT 8 is missing some flight stick configuration options that ACE COMBAT 7 offered for certain devices, and Bandai Namco is working to bring support closer to 7, with no date. For crashes, it suggests raising Windows virtual memory as a temporary fix. The PC version needs Windows 11, an SSD and a ray tracing graphics card.
Everything here comes from Bandai Namco Entertainment’s official Steam posts and the ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE store page.
Does ACE COMBAT 8 support flight sticks and HOTAS?
Not as fully as ACE COMBAT 7 did. In a September 30 post, Bandai Namco said some configuration options that ACE COMBAT 7 offered for certain devices are not available in the new game, and it apologized to players who prefer a HOTAS or flight stick setup.
What it has promised:
- The team is reviewing the situation and exploring ways to bring the flight stick experience closer to ACE COMBAT 7.
- The changes may take time.
- It will share more once it has details.
It hasn’t said which devices or settings are affected, or when the improvements will arrive. The Steam store lists full controller support, including DualShock and DualSense controllers.
Whatever you fly with, you choose a control mode when you load into the cockpit: Standard, where pushing the left stick left or right turns the plane, or Expert, where you roll with the left stick and turn by pitching, for a wider range of maneuvers.
Why does the game crash on PC?
Bandai Namco is investigating several possible causes and working on a permanent fix. Its October 16 Product Notice ② calls the game’s current memory use a significant issue that it is working to reduce. In its internal tests, PCs with about 48 GB or more of combined RAM and Windows virtual memory generally crashed less often from memory-related causes.
What can you try now?
- Use the recommended graphics driver. The game shows the recommended version when it starts; update to it if you’re on a different one.
- Keep free space on your SSD. Bandai Namco recommends 16 GB or more free on the drive where the game is installed.
- Turn on virtual memory in Windows, and raise it if crashes continue:
| Your RAM | Suggested virtual memory |
|---|---|
| 32 GB | 16 GB or more |
| 16 GB | 32 GB or more |
Bandai Namco stresses that this is a temporary workaround. It may reduce some crashes but doesn’t fix every cause, and the team is also investigating crashes unrelated to memory.
How do you report a crash?
Post in the official PC Crash Report Thread on Steam with:
- Your PC specs (GPU, CPU, RAM and so on).
- Your Windows version and system software version.
- A detailed description: any error message or code and the steps that lead to the crash.
- If possible, the other applications running alongside the game.
What does error ST-3100001 mean?
It shows up in ACE COMBAT ONLINE when communication with the game server is lost. Check whether your Windows clock is out of sync, synchronize the time in Windows, and try again.
What are the PC requirements?
From the Steam store page. A 64-bit system is required.
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 32 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT (8 GB) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (8 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 6800 (16 GB) |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 150 GB (SSD required) | 150 GB (SSD required) |
| Expected performance | 1920x1080 (upscaled), 30 fps, Low settings | 1920x1080 (upscaled), 60 fps, Medium settings |
Both tiers also need a graphics card with hardware ray tracing and DirectX 12 with Shader Model 6.6 or higher. The store notes that frame rates may drop in graphics-intensive scenes.
Does it matter for online play?
Yes. Bandai Namco says Windows 11 is the only officially supported OS and that it has seen players run the game from an HDD. Setups below the requirements can make online matchmaking less stable, for other players in the session as well as yourself. More on that in our updates and online status page.
What hasn’t been announced yet?
- Flight stick details: which devices and options will change, and when.
- A permanent crash fix and the planned memory use reductions.
- Windows 10 support: only Windows 11 is officially supported, and Bandai Namco hasn’t said whether that will change.
All guides, including the achievements list, are on the game hub.
Frequently asked questions
Does ACE COMBAT 8 support flight sticks and HOTAS?
Bandai Namco says some configuration options that ACE COMBAT 7 offered for certain devices are not available in the new game. It is working on improvements to bring flight stick support closer to ACE COMBAT 7, but says the changes may take time and has given no date.
How do I stop ACE COMBAT 8 crashing on PC?
Bandai Namco suggests using the recommended graphics driver shown at launch, keeping at least 16 GB free on the SSD and enabling virtual memory. As a temporary workaround it recommends at least 16 GB of virtual memory with 32 GB of RAM, or at least 32 GB with 16 GB of RAM.
Does ACE COMBAT 8 run on Windows 10?
It isn't officially supported. Windows 11 is the only supported OS; Bandai Namco says other operating systems may behave differently from its test environment, and that unsupported setups can hurt online matchmaking.
Does ACE COMBAT 8 need an SSD?
Yes. The PC requirements call for an SSD, and Bandai Namco says installing on an HDD can affect loading times, stability and online matchmaking.
Sources
- Flight Stick Support Update (official announcement on Steam) (Sep 30, 2026)
- PC Crash Report Thread (official announcement on Steam) (Oct 2, 2026)
- Product Notice ② (official announcement on Steam) (Oct 16, 2026)
- Product Notice (official announcement on Steam) (Sep 29, 2026)
- WINGS OF THEVE on Steam: store page and PC requirements (official store page) (Oct 19, 2026)
- About Error Code: ST-3100001 (official announcement on Steam) (Sep 30, 2026)
- Upcoming Update Plans for ACE COMBAT 8 and Matchmaking Status in ONLINE MODE (official announcement on Steam) (Oct 9, 2026)
- How to choose your difficulty in ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE (official announcement on Steam) (Sep 18, 2026)
Checked against these sources on October 19, 2026. Spotted something outdated? Tell us.