IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak says GTA VI’s delay gives 007: First Light vital launch breathing room, as the now fully-playable James Bond game enters final polishing ahead of its spring 2026 debut.
IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak is thankful Grand Theft Auto VI has been pushed back from spring 2026, as it will give 007: First Light room to breathe.
Rockstar Games’ highly-anticipated action/sandbox title had been delayed from May to November 2026, and Abrak has admitted he is somewhat glad GTA VI has been shifted away from spring next year as now IO’s upcoming James Bond game – which releases in March 2026 – will have a better shot at succeeding at launch.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, he said: “It would be a lie not to say that obviously spring looks really good.
“I want to say in the same breath that GTA VI is a welcome thing for the industry.
“I do believe a lot of gamers who maybe haven’t played for a while will get into things again, and generally for the industry as a whole, I think that will be amazing”
Abrak also revealed 007: First Light is now fully playable from start to finish.
After nearly six years of work, IO is deep into polishing and bug fixing as the studio enters the last few months of development.
Abrak described 007: First Light as the studio’s “most expensive, most ambitious” project ever.
Notably, IO is funding the entire game independently – without outside investors or publishers – with Abrak crediting the ongoing success of the studio’s Hitman franchise for making that possible
He said: “James Bond is fully funded by us. We are completely independent.”
The studio now operates across three major projects, those being 007: First Light, continued support and growth for Hitman: World of Assassination, and an unannounced multiplayer fantasy game being developed with external partners.
Abrak added that lessons from Hitman’s evolving live structure are shaping Bond’s design philosophy.
007: First Light boss thankful GTA VI delay will give James Bond game room to breathe
