IO Interactive Unveils ‘First Light’, Official Title of Project 007

IO Interactive has officially announced 007 First Light as the title of its long-awaited James Bond game, formerly known as Project 007. The studio behind the acclaimed Hitman trilogy is crafting an original James Bond origin story, entirely independent of any existing or upcoming film continuity or actor portrayals. 007 First Light is expected to release sometime in 2026.

As of right now, details about gameplay and narrative remain under wraps, but IO Interactive promises more information in just a few days. For the first time, IO will be hosting its own digital showcase during Summer Game Fest, where 007 First Light is expected to be fully revealed to the world. The event will take place on June 6th, 2025 at 6:00pm Pacific Time live from Los Angeles.

While the details remain scarce, the reveal is expected to highlight how IO plans to bring its signature style of stealth, world design, and espionage to the Bond universe. Based on their work with the Hitman series, we can at least make a few educated guesses on what to expect with 007 First Light. The showcase will also feature updates on IOI’s continued content updates for the Hitman trilogy, along with new information about Mindseye, the sci-fi action shooter from ex-Rockstar lead Leslie Benzies, and his studio Build a Rocket Boy, which is being published under its new label, IOI Partners.

My Thoughts

As a longtime James Bond fan, any update on Project 007 instantly grabs my attention, and the title reveal of 007 First Light has me more excited than ever. It’s hard to believe it’s been over 12 years since the last proper Bond game (007 Legends in 2012), which makes this new entry feel all the more important. With IO at the helm, I’m hopeful we’re in for a sleek, thoughtful, and fresh take on Bond’s origin.