Six Years of Work, One Vision

IO Interactive announced the development of the game in November 2020, entering full production following the completion of Hitman 3 in 2021.  The project — originally known only as "Project 007" — was kept tightly under wraps for years, with the full reveal finally arriving at Summer Game Fest in June 2025.

The game was originally scheduled for March 27, 2026, but was delayed to May 27 to ensure the experience meets the level of quality players deserve on day one — with the game already described as fully playable from beginning to end. 

Before the Tuxedo. Before the Number. Before the Legend.

007 First Light follows a 26-year-old James Bond, voiced and motion-captured by Irish actor Patrick Gibson, who is portrayed as an inexperienced MI6 agent tasked with a mission that, when completed successfully, will grant him his coveted 00 status. 

The story begins with Bond being picked up by MI6 after a heroic act during a mission in Iceland. His mentor Greenway, played by The Walking Dead's Lennie James, thinks he's a risk — but reluctantly agrees to train him. Bond's target is rogue agent 009, described as a master manipulator. 

The game also features new iterations of iconic Bond characters including M, played by Priyanga Burford, Q played by Alastair Mackenzie, and Miss Moneypenny played by Kiera Lester — alongside all-new characters including Bond's mentor John Greenway, DGSE agent Charlotte Roth, Selina Tan played by Gemma Chan, and Bawma played by none other than Lenny Kravitz. 

This Is Not Hitman With a Tuxedo

IO Interactive has been crystal clear on this point — and the distinction matters enormously.

Bond's approach in First Light has a lot more forward momentum than Agent 47's. "You need a lot of patience to play Hitman," narrative director Martin Emborg explained. "But Bond, he can also just walk through the front door. He can just go punch him right now." 

The game features four distinct playstyle pillars: Spycraft — the quieter side of espionage, letting players eavesdrop on conversations, lift keycards from distracted guards, and piece together environmental clues; Instinct — Bond's natural aptitude for quick thinking; Gadgets from Q Branch for hacking cameras, cutting through locked doors, or distracting guards; and Combat built for control, efficiency, and cinematic brutality — including parries, throws, takedowns, and melee executions. 

Globe-Trotting Missions in Breathtaking Locations

Confirmed mission locations include a covert operation at a high-stakes chess tournament in Slovakia, set against the romantic landscapes of the High Tatra Mountains, and an infiltration of a lavish gala in Kensington, London. 

Bond will also travel to England, Vietnam, and several other locations as he hunts down 009 across the globe.  Every location has been built to feel like a living, breathing world — not a corridor to run through, but an environment to read, exploit, and conquer.

A Bond Built for Gamers

This version of Bond exhibits self-assuredness alongside hidden depths, displaying romantic interest while keeping part of his personality concealed — a character designed to grow throughout the experience. The gaming experience requires this Bond to speak more than he does in films, because players control him during all stealth missions and dialogues. 

Patrick Gibson is not expected to play James Bond in the upcoming new Bond film directed by Denis Villeneuve — making him the incumbent James Bond in pop culture for at least a full year, a fascinating and unique position for any actor. 

A Potential Trilogy Is Already Planned

IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak has expressed his wish for 007 First Light to lead into a potential trilogy of James Bond games, citing the decision to create a new, younger version of the character for gaming audiences to call their own and grow with. 

The ambition is clear: this is not just one game. It's the beginning of an entirely new Bond saga — built from the ground up, for a new generation.

Platforms and Editions

007 First Light launches May 27, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Pre-ordering any edition upgrades you to the Deluxe Edition at no extra cost — including 24-hour early access, four exclusive outfits, a weapon skin, and a Gleaming Skin Pack. 

Conclusion

007 First Light is the Bond game fans have been dreaming about for over a decade. From IO Interactive's masterful pedigree to a cast packed with genuine acting talent, a globe-trotting origin story with emotional depth, and a gameplay system that respects both stealth and action — everything points to something truly special arriving on May 27.

The number hasn't been earned yet. But Bond is ready to earn it.

Before the martini. Before the legend. This is where 007 begins.