IO Interactive says it isn’t concerned about the 13-year wait heightening expectations for 007: First Light, as the studio focuses on polishing its Bond origin story ahead of its March 2026 launch.
IO Interactive “doesn’t really think about” the hype for 007: First Light.
Speaking to GamesRadar+, IO chief development officer Veronique Lallier said she “never thinks” about the decade-long gap since the last James Bond game in 2012 with 007 Legends, noting that the studio is focused instead on crafting a compelling Bond origin story.
She said: “We don’t really think about the time.
“The focus we have is creating an origin story that’s super appealing to fans of the IP, but also people who like the kind of game we’re making.”
With 007: First Light set to launch in March 2026, development is entering its final stretch.
Lallier says the action title is feeling “more real” as the team remains “head down… refining all the details and finishing everything”.
Early reaction to gameplay footage has been “extremely positive,” and IO considers direct player feedback crucial for fine-tuning the experience.
The studio also has some unexpected breathing room, as Grand Theft Auto VI’s delay from May to November 2026 means 007: First Light will avoid launching in the shadow of Rockstar Games’s open world/sandbox juggernaut.
IO CEO Hakan Abrak recently told GamesIndustry.biz he’s “thankful” for the delay, admitting spring 2026 now “looks really good” for 007: First Light.
He added that GTA VI’s eventual arrival will be “amazing” for the industry overall, likely drawing lapsed players back to games.
Abrak revealed 007: First Light is already fully playable from start to finish, with the team deep into polishing.
He described the project as IO’s “most expensive, most ambitious” ever – and notably, it’s being funded entirely in-house thanks to Hitman: World of Assassination’s continued success.
IO now operates across three major projects: First Light, ongoing Hitman support, and an unannounced multiplayer fantasy game.
007: First Light devs ‘don’t really think about’ the hype for James Bond game
