[Interview] Ace Combat 7 Switch producer talks about bringing the game to Nintendo’s console

Tying in with the launch of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown on Switch, we were recently able to learn a bit more about the port. We caught up with Ryunosuke Hagiwara, producer of the new version.

Hagiwara talked with us about a variety of topics, including why it’s the right time for Ace Combat 7 on Switch, challenges involved, and more. You can read our full discussion below.

Ace Combat 7 marks the first time a mainline console entry in the series is being released on a Nintendo home console. Why did Bandai Namco and Project Aces decide to bring the series to the Switch?

When we conducted user research on Ace Combat around the world, we found that there are players who are interested in Ace Combat but are unable to play it because they do not own a console.

Therefore, we decided to release a Switch version of the latest title in the series so that more people can enjoy it.

Ace Combat 7 originally released in 2019. Why port the game to the Switch so late in the console’s life? Was it something that fans of the series had been requesting?

Based on the results of our user survey, we started to consider expanding the game to other platforms around 2022 in order to allow more players to enjoy the Ace Combat hero experience. From there, we decided to develop the product on NSW, and after a trial-and-error process to reach a quality that satisfies players through technical verification, we are now ready to launch the product on July 11, 2024.

Trailers for this port of Ace Combat 7 show footage that seems to retain many of the weather and lighting effects that appeared in the game’s original release. How did the team manage to faithfully adapt some of those visual details on Switch? What compromises had to be made?

After some time has passed since its release, we were able to review and optimize the entire Ace Combat 7 game once again. As a result, we were able to reproduce the visual quality of Ace Combat 7 on the Switch, which allows players to experience the realistic graphics of Ace Combat 7.

Were there any specific difficulties the team encountered during the porting process?

We went through a lot of trial and error in balancing the graphics quality as Ace Combat with a frame rate that did not detract from the pilot experience. By analyzing the problems of each mission and stage individually and optimizing sequentially, we were able to port the game as a work that allows you to enjoy the experience of being the hero that only Ace Combat can provide.

What frame rate and resolution is the game targeting for this Switch release?

TV/portable mode: 720p 30fps (variable).

Is this port being done in-house or in partnership with an outside studio?

We developed this port with the cooperation of an outside partner company. In addition, in order to ensure the quality of the product, we also received the cooperation of past Ace Combat series staff and other people within the company, this is how we were able to achieve the quality of Ace Combat on Switch. Once again, we would like to thank everyone involved in this work.

Many Ace Combat games take place in the fictional universe of Strangereal, including Ace Combat 7. For those new to the series, how closely does the plot of Ace Combat 7 connect with previous games in the series?

First of all, we place great importance on the fact that each product is an independent story so that customers who are new to the series can enjoy it even if they have not played the previous titles. However, the appeal of the series is that, while independent as a story, each story can be seen as an event in the common world of Strange Real, and we can feel the connections between the stories. The story of ACE7 takes place in the same continent as Ace Combat 04, with some locations that will be familiar to those who have played ACE04. This restoration is related to the great country of Auxia, which appears in Ace Combat 5.

Thus, if you have played the past titles, you will feel familiar and nostalgic. However, I would like to reiterate that this is an independent story in ACE7, so even those who have not played the past games can enjoy it. We would like to encourage newcomers to play the game as well.

When can players expect to hear more about the Ace Combat project that was announced to be in development back in 2021? Is there anything you can share about the future of the series in general?

I don’t have any information that I can share with the rest of the world yet, but I hope that you will stay tuned and give us a little more time, as the whole team is working hard on the project with my participation.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition is now available on Switch worldwide. For additional information, check out our page here.