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IO Interactive announces James Bond game: 007 First Light is releasing in 2026

Hitman creator, IO Interactive, has officially unveiled the James Bond game it has been working on. It's called 007 First Light.

In late 2020, IO Interactive had announced that it had partnered with MGM and Eon Productions to work on Project 007.

The last James Bond game was released in 2012, it was called 007 Legends. Since it was a commercial failure, Eon were not originally interested in another game, especially one that was focused entirely on action. IO Interactive used its experience with Hitman, which allows creative, non-violent solutions to eliminate targets, as an example on how it could create the perfect espionage gameplay, where stealth is a major factor. IOI wanted to make its own version of James Bond, i.e., something original, and not based on the movies or books. Eon was convinced, and allowed the Danish company full freedom to create the game in its own style.

IOI released the announcement trailer of 007 First Light at Sony's State of Play. Instead of stepping into the shoes of the super spy, 007 First Light features a young James Bond. The game has been termed as the origin story of the world's most famous spy. Bond is an MI6 recruit, who has to earn his iconic number. He is portrayed as an inexperienced, resourceful yet reckless Naval air crewman, who is about 26 years old. After a heroic act, he is offered a chance to join the newly revived Double 0 program. But it looks like things don't go according to plan. This is how the game's page describes the plot "When a mission to stop a rogue agent ends in tragedy, Bond joins forces with his reluctant mentor Greenway, to expose a deep conspiracy and stop a looming coup at the heart of the State."

The name's bond

Players will take on missions in breathtaking locations, drive iconic vehicles, in the cinematic adventure in pursuit of a rogue agent. IOI isn't straying from its roots, 007 First Light will allow gamers to play like a silent assassin, or go loud with guns. Of course, it wouldn't be a James Bond experience without gadgets, would it? Bond even has a scar on his right cheek, just like the one described by Ian Fleming in the novels. The game promises to offer a sandboxed-style, and let the player choose how they infiltrate, and complete missions. First Light will let users replay missions with additional modifiers. You can watch the game's trailer on YouTube.

007 First Light is coming to PC on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series XS, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.

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