007: First Light
News, coverage and analysis tracking 007: First Light across the outlets.
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The lead game designer for 007 First Light explained how the game differentiates itself from the Hitman series. Separately, the lead designer for Subnautica 2 stated that working on the game helped them overcome their fear of the ocean.
That weird 007: First Light PS5 controller design is deliberate, IOI art director explains
IO Interactive art director Rasmus Poulsen explained that the unique design of the limited edition PlayStation 5 controller for 007: First Light is deliberate and not a misinterpretation of the iconic Bond gun barrel sequence. The design references the game's 'light' themes and UI elements, rather than simply replicating the franchise's opening. Poulsen also touched on the studio's decision not to use generative AI in development.
Despite live-action Bond's reported toils, 007: First Light dev says working with Amazon MGM has actually been "surprisingly straightforward"
Rasmus Poulsen, art director at IO Interactive, stated that working with Amazon MGM on the upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light, has been surprisingly straightforward. Despite reported difficulties with the live-action Bond license, Poulsen highlighted that clear intentions and thorough research made discussions with partners easy. The studio is focused on delivering a fresh take on the character for gamers, with the game set to feature a younger, rookie Bond.
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Playing 007: First Light makes me wonder if it's actually possible to nail James Bond - but IOI has made a cracking attempt
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007: First Light, diverges from the studio's Hitman formula, opting for a linear, third-person stealth-action experience. The game emphasizes forward momentum and spectacle, aiming for a broader audience than the Hitman series. Early impressions highlight impressive production values and a focus on cinematic Bond moments, though questions remain about its ability to truly capture the essence of James Bond.
007 First Light Preview – From IOI with Love
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007: First Light, blends elements of the Hitman series with the distinct swagger of James Bond. The preview showcases Bond's early days as an MI6 agent, featuring fluid movement, cover-based shooting, and stealth mechanics enhanced by gadgets like the Q-Lens and Q-Watch. The game promises a mix of action-adventure and stealth, allowing players to choose their approach to various combat and infiltration scenarios.
007 First Light Preview – A Cinematic Spy Game With Hitman DNA
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, offers a cinematic spy experience blending stealth and action, reminiscent of Hitman. The preview highlights a younger James Bond learning the ropes, featuring intense gunfights, gadget use, and a combat system that mirrors the Batman: Arkham series. Players will have freedom in approaching objectives, with the game balancing linear cinematic moments with open-ended gameplay.
007 First Light Interview: IO on Bond’s Origin Story, Lana Del Rey, and Combat
IO Interactive's Theuns Smith discusses the upcoming game 007 First Light, focusing on the decision to feature a younger James Bond and the game's reimagined origin story. The interview also touches on the implementation of parkour mechanics, the evolution of combat systems, the use of gadgets like the Q Lens and Q Watch, and the casting of Patrick Gibson as Bond.
007 First Light Preview - So You Want Me to Be Half-Monk, Half-Hitman?
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, aims to capture the essence of James Bond with a blend of stealth, action, and improvisation, differentiating itself from the developer's Hitman series. The preview highlights a more charismatic and bold approach for Bond, with dynamic environmental destruction and nuanced gadget usage. The game is set to release on May 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.
007: First Light hands-on report — using stealth, action, and charm to become a legendary spy
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007: First Light, aims to capture the essence of James Bond by blending stealth, action, and charm. The preview showcased three missions that highlight the game's focus on improvisation, gadget use, and a narrative delving into Bond's origins. The game is set to release on PlayStation 5 on May 27.
007 First Light hands-on: "Explosive action, creative bluffs, and cinematic storytelling – the Hitman developer might have made the best Bond game ever"
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, offers a hands-on preview of its blend of explosive action, stealth, and cinematic storytelling, drawing comparisons to the Hitman series. Players will guide a young James Bond through missions with multiple paths and creative solutions, utilizing gadgets and bluffing mechanics. The game is set to release on May 27, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version to follow.
007: First Light - The Final Preview – Maybe the Most Detailed Bond Game Ever
007: First Light is shaping up to be a detailed Bond adventure with charm, wit, and energy. The game's character-first approach aims to deliver a fully realized spy thriller experience, with its release expected in May.
007 First Light passes the James Bond authenticity test - hands-on preview
007 First Light, the first James Bond game in 14 years from developer IO Interactive, aims for high authenticity to the franchise's mythos. This preview highlights the game's blend of stealth, action, and platforming, drawing comparisons to the Uncharted series and IO Interactive's own Hitman. The game features a young James Bond, portrayed by Patrick Gibson, and emphasizes earning the iconic Bond theme through gameplay progression.
After 3 hours with 007 First Light, IO's weaknesses are on display in a way they haven't been since Hitman:…
A preview of IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, reveals a more linear and cinematic experience compared to their Hitman series. While featuring some sandbox elements and engaging melee combat, the game's stealth mechanics and gadget usage feel underdeveloped and archaic. The preview highlights a creative boss fight but ultimately suggests IO Interactive may not be leveraging its strengths effectively.
007 First Light: A Full Debrief After 3 Hours with IO's New James Bond Game
IO Interactive's upcoming training simulation, 007 First Light, offers a curated three-hour preview focusing on stealth and problem-solving. The game draws heavy inspiration from the Hitman series, emphasizing player adaptation and iteration through various operations set in Iceland, Malta, and London. While combat is present, the core gameplay loop prioritizes social stealth, environmental interaction, and strategic decision-making over direct confrontation.
007 First Light Preview - IO Interactive Might Be The Perfect Bond Studio
IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, is shaping up to be the James Bond title fans have been waiting for, offering a story-driven experience with strong action and set-piece moments. The preview highlights Bond's early days as a 00 agent, showcasing nimble traversal, strategic combat, and a believable portrayal of the character. The game utilizes the Glacier engine, similar to Hitman, but focuses on a more dynamic and responsive gameplay style with a strong emphasis on non-lethal takedowns and emergent gameplay possibilities.
"The thematics of Bond are often: beware of utopia" - 007: First Light art director says developer IO Interactive hasn't used any generative AI to make it
IO Interactive's art director Rasmus Poulsen stated that the developer has not used generative AI in the creation of the upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light. This stance aligns with other developers like Rebel Wolves, who have also confirmed no generative AI use. The discussion touches on the broader industry debate surrounding AI's role in game development and its potential impact on employment.
Playing 007: First Light makes me wonder if it's actually possible to nail James Bond - but IOI has made a cracking attempt
IO Interactive's upcoming 007: First Light diverges from the Hitman formula, opting for a linear, third-person stealth-action experience. Art director Rasmus Poulsen explains the design choices, emphasizing Bond's heroic nature over Hitman's agent of chaos. The preview highlights the game's production values, straightforward gameplay mechanics, and cinematic set pieces, while questioning if it can truly capture the essence of James Bond.
"The thematics of Bond are often: beware of utopia" - 007: First Light art director says developer IO Interactive hasn't used any generative AI to make it
IO Interactive's art director Rasmus Poulsen confirmed that the upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light, is not using generative AI in its development. This stance aligns with other developers like Rebel Wolves, who have also stated their games are not created with generative AI. The discussion highlights the ongoing debate surrounding AI's role in game creation, with some advocating for its use as a tool to assist developers rather than replace them.
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