James Bond 007: First Light Game Delayed Until May 2026, What's Going On?

The adventures of young secret agent James Bond in the game 007 First Light will have to wait a little longer, delayed by IO Interactive until May 2026 for maximum quality.

James Bond 007: First Light Game Delayed Until May 2026, What's Going On?
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The adventures of young secret agent James Bond in the game 007 First Light will have to wait a little longer, delayed by IO Interactive until May 2026 for maximum quality.

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - IO Interactive, the developer behind the acclaimed Hitman series, has announced a delay in the release date for its latest game, "007 First Light." The game, which tells the origin story of legendary secret agent James Bond, was previously scheduled for launch on March 27, 2026, but will now arrive on May 27, 2026.

IO Interactive announced the delay in December 2025, after the game was officially unveiled as "007 First Light" on June 2, 2025. This decision was made to give the development team additional time to make final improvements.

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IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak emphasized that this extra time will be used to polish and refine the gameplay experience, saying that the game was "fully playable from beginning to end" - but extra time was needed to "further polish" it.

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Reasons Behind the Delay

The two-month delay of "007 First Light" from its original schedule made to "ensure the experience meets the level of quality players deserve."

Hakan Abrak, CEO of IO Interactive, explained that "these two additional months will allow us to further polish and refine the experience."

While "007 First Light" is already highly mature and "fully playable from start to finish," this extra time will be allocated for fine-tuning. This includes performance optimizations, minor adjustments, and visual and mechanical polish, ensuring that every aspect of the game meets the highest standards before its release.

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Getting to Know James Bond 007: First Light

"007 First Light" will take players on an origin story for James Bond, following a young 26-year-old Bond as a recruit in the MI6 training program. The game will highlight his mission to earn a "license to kill," an iconic element of the character. This original narrative is inspired by Ian Fleming's novels and short stories, as well as the long-running James Bond film series.

The game is an action-adventure with a single-player mode. Developed using IO Interactive's Glacier Engine, the same engine used for the Hitman series, it promises high-quality graphics and immersive gameplay. The gameplay is expected to combine elements of stealth, action, and cinematic set pieces, with missions focused on espionage, vehicle sequences, and gadgetry.

"007 First Light" will be available on multiple platforms, ensuring a wide player base. Supported platforms include Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.

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Casts in James Bond Adventures

The "007 First Light" project also drew attention with its impressive cast, bringing both iconic and new characters to life. Patrick Gibson will play a young, inexperienced James Bond, bringing a fresh perspective to the secret agent.

Acclaimed musician Lenny Kravitz will take on the role of antagonist Bawma, adding a new dimension to Bond's roster of adversaries. Additionally, Gemma Chan will play Dr. Selina Tan, an original character created by IO Interactive.

The supporting cast is also packed with big names. Lennie James will play Bond's mentor, John Greenway, while Priyanga Burford will play M, and Alastair Mackenzie will play Q. Kiera Lester as Moneypenny and Noémie Nakai as Ms. Roth also round out the game's roster of key characters.