IO Interactive addresses 007: First Light’s future, says sequels are “a long way off” for now
The studio says its priority is turning the Bond hit into a “living, breathing world.”
IO Interactive’s latest title, 007 First Light, was met with widespread acclaim from both the press and fans, becoming a hit for the studio. Although the game has a clear roadmap ahead—and Lenny Kravitz is set to return as Bawma—it still has plenty to offer.
During an interview with Variety, IO Interactive CEO and co-owner Hakan Abrak spoke about the game’s future and how, for now, they plan to focus on 007: First Light to keep players engaged. “Right now, we want to improve loading times, we want to release these updates and content, so that people feel—through the Tactical Simulation and the missions—that this is a living, breathing world that we’ve created and that just keeps on expanding,”
Although there has been a lot of talk about the future of the franchise—and just a few weeks ago Amazon Game Studios even stated that future titles might remain with IO Interactive—for the studio, “sequels and whatnot, theories about that, that’s like a long way off for us right now,” as they plan to continue adding a lot of content to the game while staying true to the DNA of Hitman.
“It’s always nice to end with a cliffhanger like that after hopefully a page turner for people playing this game that promises more content to come. We have the concept of Tactical Simulation where you can get all these different modes and challenges. You can take the Aston Martin Valhalla for a first spin outside to get some wind under your wings. There’s stuff like that but also more advanced challenges and missions and gadgets and upgrades. We’ll keep on supporting all that and that part is free. People know all the added value that we put in from “Hitman,” and we’ll continue the same style and build a community like that.”
007: First Light, an impressive title
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In our review of 007: First Light, we wrote that the game “undoubtedly earns its 00 status with flying colors. It manages to offer something different and truer to the essence of Bond than mere gunplay, building on a completely original concept and taking risks not only with its characters but also in staying true to the franchise. From the cast to the settings, through the action sequences and plot twists, everything flows seamlessly in a narrative brimming with intrigue—something James Bond fans will enjoy, yet without alienating those who aren’t yet deeply immersed in its more than 70-year history. Aside from a few technical details, the game comes across as a pretty well-rounded title. If Amazon MGM Studios has doubts about where James Bond should be headed for this new cinematic reboot, they could certainly take some notes from this title.”
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