Strangereal (ストレンジリアル) is the name of the alternate universe within which most Ace Combat games take place. Strangereal is almost identical to our real universe, but its version of Earth features entirely different landmasses and historical events. Strangereal, as it exists today, was created by Namco employees in developing Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies. It has since been retconned to be the setting for the three Ace Combat games before Ace Combat 04, as well as the majority of Ace Combat games released since. The upcoming Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown will be the 13th Strangereal game.