007 First Light
News, coverage and analysis tracking 007 First Light across the outlets.
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007 developer suffers layoffs and Blade faces cancellation as Xbox cuts funding
Microsoft is reportedly considering closing at least five studios, including Arkane Studios, which is working on Marvel's Blade, and has pulled funding for IO Interactive's Project Fantasy. These cuts follow Xbox boss Asha Sharma's promise of a company 'reset' and are expected to lead to significant layoffs. While Arkane's Blade is at risk of cancellation due to budget overruns, IO Interactive remains committed to Project Fantasy despite the funding setback.
007 First Light studio IOI facing layoffs as Xbox pulls funding for Project Fantasy RPG
Xbox has withdrawn funding and publishing support for IO Interactive's online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy. This decision will lead to layoffs at the Hitman and 007 First Light developer. Xbox stated they are re-evaluating investments to focus on their highest priorities, though they maintain their overall investment in games remains the same.
Xbox claim they're "not reducing [their] investment in games" despite looming cuts, as report claims under 2.5% of Microsoft's total workforce are in the firing line
Despite reports of potential studio cuts and funding deal withdrawals, Xbox asserts it is not reducing its overall investment in game development. A new report indicates that planned Microsoft layoffs will affect less than 2.5% of the company's total workforce, with cuts expected early next week.
Uppsägningar hos Io Interactive när Xbox drar in finansiering
Io Interactive has announced layoffs due to the termination of a partnership with an external party for their fantasy RPG, 'Project Fantasy'. Bloomberg reports that Microsoft, which was set to be the financier and publisher, has withdrawn its support. While the project is not canceled, its future is uncertain without external funding. Xbox stated that their investment strategy is shifting, not decreasing overall.
Xbox weighs closing Arkane Studios while pulling out of IO Interactive's next project
Xbox is reportedly considering closing Arkane Studios and cancelling Marvel's Blade due to development concerns. Additionally, Xbox has withdrawn funding and publishing support for IO Interactive's new fantasy project, codenamed 'Project Fantasy,' forcing the Danish studio to seek alternative arrangements. These moves are part of a broader restructuring by Xbox to refocus investments on its highest-priority titles and IPs.
Top 10 best video games of 2026 – from 007 First Light to Resident Evil Requiem
This article ranks the top 10 video games released in the first half of 2026, highlighting titles like 007 First Light, Pokémon Pokopia, and Resident Evil Requiem. The list excludes remasters, remakes, yearly sequels, expansions, and early access titles, focusing on original new releases across various platforms including Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Xbox pulls funding for 007 First Light dev's new fantasy RPG, prompting layoffs as Microsoft insists "we're not reducing our overall investment in games"
Xbox has withdrawn funding for IO Interactive's upcoming online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, leading to layoffs at the developer. Microsoft stated that while overall investment in games remains the same, the company is shifting its investment focus. IO Interactive confirmed its commitment to completing the game despite the funding change.
Possible Layoffs At IO Interactive As Xbox Pulls Out Of Funding Deal For “Project Fantasy”
IO Interactive has reportedly scrapped its "Project Fantasy" game after Microsoft withdrew funding for the deal. The studio is expected to downsize, though it hopes to revive the project in the future. This comes after the success of their title "007 First Light."
Ahead of next week's expected Xbox bloodbath, IO Interactive loses funding for its online fantasy RPG
IO Interactive has lost external funding for its online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, leading to anticipated layoffs. Microsoft confirmed it was the partner that pulled funding as it re-evaluates its investments. This news comes shortly after the successful launch of 007 First Light, but casts a shadow over the future of Project Fantasy and potentially other studios working with Microsoft.
Io Interactive Laying Off Staff After Partner Withdraws from Project Fantasy
IO Interactive has announced layoffs following the withdrawal of funding for their new intellectual property, Project Fantasy, by an external partner, rumored to be Microsoft. Despite the setback, the company remains committed to the project's completion. This decision comes amid broader shifts within Xbox's business strategy under new leadership.
Hitman, 007 First Light Studio Begins Layoffs As Its Fantasy RPG Project Suffers Setbacks
IO Interactive, the developer behind Hitman and 007 First Light, has begun layoffs due to setbacks with its unreleased fantasy RPG, codenamed Project Fantasy. The studio confirmed that Xbox has pulled its funding for the project, though IO Interactive remains committed to its completion. The layoffs are described as short-term consequences of adapting to this change.
007 First Light, Hitman Developer IO Interactive Announces Layoffs After 'Relationship With an External Partner' on Fantasy Project Ends
IO Interactive, the developer behind Hitman and the upcoming 007 First Light, has announced layoffs. This comes after a fantasy project, reportedly set to be published by Xbox, faced an unexpected setback due to a severed relationship with an external partner.
The Best Xbox And Game Pass Games Of 2026 So Far – The Must-Plays From January To June
The first half of 2026 has been a strong period for Xbox and Game Pass, featuring a diverse range of critically acclaimed titles. Highlights include the horror game REANIMAL, the reinvented Resident Evil Requiem, the unique word-based roguelike Beyond Words, and the highly anticipated Hades II. Other standout releases include TerraTech Legion, Dungeon Clawler, Forza Horizon 6, and the new James Bond title 007 First Light, many of which launched day one on Game Pass.
Game Reviews
DSOGaming has published a review for the game 007 First Light on PC. The review likely covers gameplay, graphics, and overall impressions of the title.
PlayStation hardware sales fall to their lowest May total since 2000 | US Monthly Charts
PlayStation 5 unit sales in the US saw a significant 58% year-on-year drop in May, reaching their lowest point since 2000, following a price increase. Xbox unit sales also hit a record low for May. Despite this, overall US hardware spending rose 38% due to strong Nintendo Switch 2 performance, and total US video game spending increased by 3%.
PlayStation and Xbox console sales hit record lows in US amid price hikes
US console sales for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S have reached record lows in May, attributed to significant price increases. While overall hardware spending grew due to the Nintendo Switch's strong performance, the average price paid for consoles has risen substantially. This trend is expected to continue until major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 in November.
Morning Patches
Several games have received official updates, including 007 First Light version 1.0.6, Aeterna Noctis - Ultimate Edition, and BREAK ARTS III version 2.0. Factorio also released its Friday Facts #444 detailing the 2.1 Experimental branch.
Looks like there's no firm favourite for 2026's GOTY just yet, though there are two standouts
As 2026 progresses, the race for Game of the Year is still wide open, with no clear frontrunner among players. Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert are currently the top two contenders based on a reader poll, though many participants felt none of the provided options were their definitive choice. The article highlights various other games receiving votes, including 007 First Light, Slay the Spire 2, and Marathon.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for May 2026 – Yoshi and the Mysterious Book cracks the top 10
Circana has released the top-selling video game list for the U.S. in May 2026. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream remains a top seller at #5, while the new release Yoshi and the Mysterious Book debuted at #8. Other notable entries include 007 First Light, Forza Horizon 6, and Crimson Desert.
Famitsu software sales (6/15/26 – 6/21/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its weekly Japanese software sales data for the period of June 15-21, 2026. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for Nintendo Switch topped the charts with 34,957 units sold. The list includes sales figures for various titles across Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5.
