The release of 007 First Light has really been a much-needed shot in the arm for the James Bond franchise, particularly in the world of video game adaptations. Developer IO Interactive did a spectacular job bringing their signature style into play, while at the same time making adjustments to bring the game closer to what we would expect from a Bond movie.
Not since the days of Goldeneye have fans and players been so positive about a video game tied to the iconic spy, and that excitement has been demonstrated by more than 1.5 million copies being sold in the first 24h after launch. That would lead many to believe that confirmation of another game would follow in relatively short order, and though it has, fans really aren’t happy about one particular aspect of the news.
In an interview with Polygon, Jeff Gattis, GM of gaming at Amazon, shared some insight into their plans for the franchise moving forward, which they now own entirely after securing the remaining 50% of the rights in 2025. Gattis confirmed that the sequels will be, “done by MGM and, theoretically, by Amazon Game Studios. We did not [make First Light]. We do have a stake in it because we now own the IP,” Gattis confirms, “but that IP acquisition happened after the First Light IO deal was already done.”
It’s an interesting timeline and worth knowing as a fan, but it also perhaps opens the door for IO Interactive to be replaced as the development lead on the next game. In a post sharing that revelation on Reddit, the responses were filled with those demanding that the developer remains in position for any future games.
“Amazon there is no way you are planning on taking this IP away from IOI??? Are you insane?” one comment read.
While another added, “My guess is Amazon will fumble this. It’s not like Amazon Game Studios has output anything noteworthy. They have this winning formula for James Bond games in their hands now, and they’re going to, I guess, ignore it?”
“The smart thing to do would be to pay IO to just make more of the same. Instead, they’re probably going to do something stupid like turn it into some multiplayer thing, or try to tie it into the next Bond movie,” a third said.
007 First Light has been a huge win for every company that finds themselves tied to the franchise, particularly in bridging the gap to the next film, whenever that may be. It’s going to be a huge commercial success, and critics and fans are enamoured, so it is difficult to see why they would change what is clearly a winning formula. That said, plenty of companies have flown in the face of logic before, so it’s never safe to rule out anything.
- Released
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May 27, 2026
- ESRB
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Teen / Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
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IO Interactive
- Publisher(s)
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IO Interactive