IO Interactive has pushed back its upcoming James Bond title, 007: First Light. The studio best known for the modern Hitman trilogy has now slated the game for a May 2026 release, moving it out of its previous 2025 window.

While delays are nothing new for big licensed projects, 007: First Light has carried extra weight: it’s IO’s first major release since concluding its long-running World of Assassination era, and it’s the developer’s first chance to define what a modern Bond game looks like outside the shadow of GoldenEye and decades of movie tie-ins.

### What We Know About 007: First Light
IO Interactive hasn’t outlined every detail in public, but the project has been positioned as a fresh take on James Bond rather than a direct adaptation of any single film. The developer has also signaled a more action-forward approach than Hitman’s slow-burn infiltration, which suggests First Light may lean harder into setpieces and gadget-driven momentum while still drawing on IO’s experience with sandbox design.

### Why the Delay Matters
A May 2026 release puts 007: First Light into a crowded, high-stakes part of the calendar where platform holders and major publishers like to plant blockbuster tentpoles. For IO, extra time could mean polishing combat, stealth, and AI systems to hit the level of confidence expected from a globally recognized brand—and avoiding the kind of rough launch that can haunt a new franchise for years.

For players, the delay is a trade: waiting longer, but potentially getting a Bond game that lands with the production values and mechanical depth the license deserves. If IO can successfully bridge its signature systemic design with faster-paced spectacle, 007: First Light could become a rare thing in modern gaming—a licensed blockbuster that feels built around smart gameplay, not just branding.

Source: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/007-first-light-has-been-delayed-so-hitman-devs-io-can-further-buff-the-bondage