E3 2018 Famitsu Map

Hey all! E3 2018 came and went, leaving us a new trailer for Ace Combat 7 – or so we're told, because it hasn't been released to the public yet. Along with the trailer came a Famitsu piece with an interview and map. Black Kite has already done a fine translation of the interview and translated Japanese summaries of the article that get everything of substance. All we'll add is that futuristic weaponry is confirmed for player loadout – the implication being that along with the futuristic planes, they will be a normal part of the game.

Speaking as a curious observer, the most interesting part to me is piecing together exactly what's been going on at Project Aces by cross-referencing what Kono said at TGS 2017, but it's not my job to speak as a curious observer; it's my job to speak as a lore encyclopedist – and as a lore encyclopedist, what's most relevant to us is that big map of future Strangereal! Speculation already abounds, so here's what those text boxes say.

Anea
The setting of 6. The Republic of Emmeria – which suffered little damage during the fall of Ulysses – and the Estovakian Federation – whose economy collapsed and entered a state of civil war – both exist here.

Verusa
The setting of 5. Thriving in the north of the continent is the world’s largest country by landmass, the Federal Republic of Yuktobania: a great power.

Osea
Splitting the continent north to south, 5 and Zero are set in the north, and the PSP game X is set in the southern half. Osea dominates the greater part of the north, while to the south is the Federal Republic of Aurelia, and the Democratic Republic of Lesath.

The Orbital Elevator
The orbital elevator was constructed with the goal of reconstructing from the Ulysses disaster. With Osea and their expertise in space development providing the technology and initial investment, they earned the goodwill of the countries of Usea, but the flames of war arose anew.

Usea
On Usea – the setting of 04, 5, and the current work – tensions have increased between the Osean Federation and the Kingdom of Erusea. In 2019, terrorist attacks on Osean soil using UAVs broke out. At the same time, Erusea occupied the Space Elevator jointly developed by Osea and various Usean countries. Raising the banner of revolt against Osea’s overbearing interference and monopolization of its interests, Erusea declared war. With the superior military power of Osea soon to be on their back feet in the face of Erusea’s countless unmanned attack aircraft, and the clean war Erusea has waged which hasn't affected the metropolitan area, public opinion is swaying towards Erusea.