007 First Light Announced as IO Interactive’s New James Bond Game

Silhouette of a man holding a gun under a spotlight, with "007 First Light" boldly displayed in the center.

IO Interactive has officially revealed the name of its long-awaited James Bond game: 007 First Light. Previously known as Project 007, this marks the first major update on the project since it was announced back in 2020. The announcement came with a short teaser and confirmation that the full reveal is happening later this week.

It’s been more than a decade since Bond starred in a proper AAA video game, so this news is already turning heads. With IO at the helm, best known for the modern Hitman series, there’s plenty of curiosity about what their take on Bond will look like. The only confirmed platform so far is Nintendo Switch 2, but IO says the game is being developed for modern systems, which likely includes PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Let’s break down what we know about 007 First Light so far.

What Is 007 First Light?

007 First Light is the official title of IO Interactive’s upcoming James Bond game, originally announced in 2020 under the working name Project 007. According to the studio, this will be a completely original origin story, something we’ve never seen before in Bond games or films.

This isn’t the Bond you’ve seen in films. IO has created a new version of the character just for the game. IO has created a brand-new version of the character, made just for this game. The goal is to build a Bond that gamers can connect with and watch grow over time. Studio CEO Hakan Abrak previously confirmed this isn’t a retelling or adaptation. Instead, it’s a ground-up take on the iconic spy. IO is even aiming for 007 First Light to be the first entry in a potential trilogy.

While story details are still under wraps, the teaser image revealed last week shows Bond holding a gun, dressed in a trenchcoat. It sets the tone for a younger, less refined 007, still on his way to earning that famous number.

Reveal Coming This Week with New Footage

We won’t have to wait long to see more. IO Interactive says the official reveal for 007 First Light is happening this week. It’ll include never-before-seen footage and give us a first real look at the game in action.

While the exact date hasn’t been confirmed, most signs point to a reveal during Summer Game Fest on June 6. That would line up with the teaser and timing shared in the announcement.

So far, all we’ve seen is a short teaser image, but the upcoming reveal promises much more. IO says this marks the start of a new chapter for James Bond in video games.

What We Know About the Game So Far

Originally announced in 2020 as “Project 007,” First Light is being developed by IO Interactive. This is the studio behind the Hitman series. It’s not tied to any previous Bond film or actor. Instead, IO is creating an original Bond story, one that explores how James becomes 007.

Details are still limited, but we know this will be a full origin story. The goal is to ‘earn your 00 status,’ which hints at a character-driven narrative and fresh take on Bond. It’s also been suggested this game could be the first in a planned trilogy.

The studio is using its in-house Glacier engine for development, and recent job listings hinted at possible multiplayer features. That’s not confirmed yet, but it shows IO is thinking big with this one.

More to Come on 007 First Light Later This Week

IO Interactive says the full reveal of 007 First Light will happen later this week. We’ll get our first real look at gameplay and story details, along with never-before-seen footage. There’s no release date yet, but this marks a major step forward for a project fans have been waiting on since 2020.

Whether you’re a longtime Bond fan or just curious about IO’s next big project, there’s reason to keep an eye on this one. With a brand-new story, a new take on Bond, and IO’s track record, First Light has the potential to do something different with the 007 name.

We’ll be watching closely for the full reveal. What are you hoping to see in the full reveal of 007 First Light? Let us know in the comments.

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Jon Scarr (4ScarrsGaming)

Jon is a proud Canadian who has a lifelong passion for gaming. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry with more than 20 years experience. Jon is a strong believer and supporter in cloud gaming, he's that guy with the Stadia tattoo! He enjoys playing and talking about games on all platforms and mediums. Join the conversation with Jon on Threads @4ScarrsGaming and @4ScarrsGaming on Instagram.

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