007 First Light Devs Clarify: Bond Is More Than Just a Hitman Reskin

IO Interactive has moved to dispel the notion that its upcoming title 007: First Light is simply a rebranded version of its celebrated Hitman series. While the developer acknowledges that both franchises share stealth mechanics at their core, the studio emphasizes that the Bond project represents a major evolution in gameplay, narrative, and scope.

Since the announcement of First Light, the Copenhagen-based studio has expanded significantly, recruiting fresh talent to strengthen areas where it lacked experience. Senior licensing producer Theuns Smit described the project as “a really big growth moment,” pointing out that the team had to bring in specialists with expertise in driving mechanics to deliver on one of the game’s most striking additions: drivable vehicles. Unlike Hitman, which has always kept Agent 47 on foot, First Light will feature missions where players take the wheel, with developers balancing physics, steering, and action set pieces to capture the cinematic thrills associated with James Bond.

The game also introduces a new approach to storytelling. Rather than drawing from existing film canon, First Light will serve as an origin story, following a young Bond as he earns his “00” status at MI6. IO Interactive has created a digital version of the iconic spy, not modeled on any previous actor, giving the team freedom to define its own interpretation of 007. Art director Rasmus Poulsen and his colleagues insist this direction allows them to stay true to the essence of Bond while breaking new ground in both design and presentation.

Despite early comparisons to Hitman, the studio argues the differences are fundamental. Bond is framed as a heroic figure, a clear moral contrast to the ambiguous assassin at the center of IO’s earlier work. Missions will combine stealth and infiltration with more traditional action beats, including hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, gadgets, and large-scale cinematic sequences that mirror the energy of the films. According to the developers, these elements position the game as a “clear succession” of IO’s skills, but one tailored to the glamour, espionage, and high-stakes action that define the Bond franchise.

Scheduled for release on March 27, 2026, 007: First Light will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and Nintendo Switch 2. For IO Interactive, the project marks a bold step forward: a chance to expand beyond the franchise that made its name and to craft a game that captures both the style and substance of James Bond.