007: First Light
News, coverage and analysis tracking 007: First Light across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Nvidia DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction, out now, ups shadow quality and more accurately illuminates trash bags
Nvidia has released DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction, an update to its AI upscaling technology that enhances ray-traced shadows and lighting. This new version utilizes a deeper Transformer model for improved accuracy and responsiveness, and features a more efficient AI denoiser. The technology will be implemented in upcoming games like 007: First Light and Control.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 Port From 14 Years Ago Sold Better In July Than Any Other Game In US
Ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 were the best-selling games in the US in July, according to Circana's sales report. The Black Ops 2 port ranked first by dollar sales, while the Black Ops port came in fifth. These titles, released with minimal improvements, reportedly sold over 11 million copies combined, generating more than $430 million for Activision and Microsoft.
Quoteworthy
Amazon has indicated a desire for IO Interactive to develop a sequel to the game 007: First Light, citing its success. Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner is also mentioned in relation to the article's content.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner can't remember why he green-lit Kingdom Hearts
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner admitted he cannot recall why he approved the pitch for the Kingdom Hearts video game series. Eisner, now an investor in Delphi Interactive, was questioned about the series' origins after a panel in New York. An anecdote from former Disney Japan employee Shuji Utsumi detailed the experimental nature of the pitch and the groundwork required for its approval.
Amazon clarifies stance on 007: First Light sequel – "Given the success of this one, I think you probably want IOI developing it"
Amazon Game Studios general manager Jeff Gattis clarified that no decisions have been made regarding a sequel to 007: First Light, despite Amazon owning the game's rights. He indicated that IO Interactive, the original developer, would likely be involved in any future installments due to the game's success. Gattis also commented on the possibility of acquiring IO Interactive, stating that while "anything's possible," no such conversations are currently happening.
007: First Light was originally going to be less about James Bond and more of 'an ensemble piece', with 'all the 00s working together, as they do in Slovakia'
007: First Light was initially conceived as an ensemble piece where multiple 00 agents would work together, according to lead writer Michael Vogt. IO Interactive ultimately shifted the focus to James Bond's individual development after an early mission resulted in the deaths of most other trainees, forcing Bond to mature and grapple with survivor's guilt.
Aream & Co: Gaming M&A hits $2.3bn in Q2, highest level since 2022
Gaming mergers and acquisitions reached $2.3 billion in Q2 2026, marking the highest level since 2022, according to Aream & Co. Mid-market acquisitions, particularly in PC and mobile gaming, drove this growth. Despite a decline in mobile installs and spending, PC gaming saw a 13% increase, and Nintendo reported significant revenue gains from its Switch 2 hardware and software.
Steam Machine compatibility checks are here, though not every game on the store enjoys a rating
Valve has introduced Steam Machine compatibility checks to game store pages, allowing users to see how titles perform on the SteamOS platform. While many games are rated, some, like Black Myth: Wukong, are still listed as unknown due to ongoing evaluation or performance concerns. Users can also run SteamOS on alternative hardware like the Lenovo Legion Go S.
SVG REVIEW 007: First Light
This article is a transcript excerpt from the So Videogames Podcast, Episode 493: British Invasion, covering the score awarded to the game 007: First Light. The review was originally posted on Gamecritics.com.
After Xbox Pulls Funding, Hitman Dev Is Closing A Studio And Laying People Off
IO Interactive is closing its Istanbul studio and laying off staff after Xbox withdrew funding for its upcoming RPG, Project Fantasy. The studio has regained full ownership of the project and its IP, but these cuts were deemed necessary for the company's long-term future and to focus on its core internal titles.
After split with Xbox, Hitman developer IO will "continue to develop" Project Fantasy independently, but they're closing their Istanbul Studio
IO Interactive has regained full ownership of its fantasy project, Project Fantasy, after a split with Xbox. The developer will now fund and develop the game independently, but has closed its Istanbul studio as part of a restructuring to focus on its core titles. This move allows IO Interactive to maintain its status as an independent AAA developer and publisher.
Bond and Hitman Developer Closing a Studio and Laying Off Staff After Xbox Pulls Funding
IO Interactive, the developer behind Hitman and 007: First Light, is closing one of its studios and laying off staff. This decision comes after Xbox withdrew funding for an unannounced project. The exact number of affected employees is currently unknown.
IO Interactive regains ownership of Project Fantasy, announces layoffs & office closure
IO Interactive has regained full ownership of its online RPG Project Fantasy after an external finance partnership, reportedly with Xbox, fell through. This development coincides with the closure of IO Interactive's Istanbul office and unspecified layoffs within the company. The developer plans to continue funding Project Fantasy independently.
Xbox Layoffs 2026: What Microsoft's Reset Means for Average Gamers
Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone a massive restructuring, cutting approximately 3,200 jobs in fiscal year 2027 and shuttering or spinning off five studios, including Ninja Theory and Arkane Lyon. This move comes despite Microsoft's overall profitability, with Xbox reportedly struggling with low profit margins and a failed attempt to achieve a 30% accountability margin. The article analyzes the business decisions, including Game Pass accounting and price hikes, that led to these layoffs and discusses the implications for gamers, including potential changes to hardware strategy and game exclusivity.
Shack Chat: What's your Game of the Mid-Year?
Shacknews staff members share their personal favorite games released in the first half of 2026. Titles like Pragmata, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Star Fox, and Marathon are highlighted for their engaging gameplay, compelling stories, and unique experiences.
Fantasy meets reality: Why turmoil at Xbox is impacting IO Interactive and Project Fantasy
IO Interactive's online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, is in turmoil after Xbox Game Studios Publishing reportedly pulled its funding. Despite this setback, IO Interactive remains committed to the project and is restructuring to continue development. This situation highlights the shifting priorities within Xbox under new CEO Asha Sharma, impacting independent studios reliant on external partnerships.
IO Interactive look set for layoffs as their external partner for Project Fantasy pulls out
IO Interactive is facing imminent layoffs due to the termination of its relationship with an external partner for its unannounced game, Project Fantasy. While the studio remains committed to the game's development, the split necessitates staffing changes. Project Fantasy was previously revealed in documents to be intended for publishing by Xbox Game Studios.
007: First Light Review
This review of 007: First Light highlights its high earning potential while noting some awkward controls. The article also humorously questions the appearance of Lenny Kravitz in the game.
Morning Consolidation
Analysts are debating whether future consoles like the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Helix will exceed $1000, with some suggesting a floor price of around $1000. The article also briefly mentions the Nintendo Switch version of the game 007: First Light.
Following Summer Game Fest, Gothic Remake is the standout new release in June 2026
June 2026 will see the release of several notable games, with Gothic Remake leading the pack. Developed by Alkimia Interactive, this action RPG remake of the 2001 classic features modernized controls and expanded features. Other significant releases include Square Enix's The Adventures of Elliott: Millennium Tales, a new action RPG from Team Asano, and IO Interactive's 007: First Light, a James Bond action game. The article also highlights recent releases like Forza Horizon 6 and mentions potential upcoming titles such as Guild Wars 3 and Resident Evil Veronica.
