The Secret Behind IO Interactive’s Development Strategy for 007 First Light

IO Interactive’s CEO, Hakan Abrak, has opened up about the studio’s strategy behind their highly anticipated James Bond game, 007 First Light.

In a revealing interview with The Game Business, Abrak emphasized that the secret to the studio’s survival in the fast-evolving and competitive gaming industry is rooted in a simple concept: efficiency, even if it means going ‘down the pan’-a term that might leave some scratching their heads.

Drawing from the success of the Hitman series, particularly the World of Assassination trilogy, IO Interactive plans to apply lessons learned from their past titles to ensure 007 First Light is both sustainable and engaging for players

. Abrak reflected on his past work, especially the development of Hitman Absolution, which he described as a ‘wasteful production’ due to its overreliance on creating new assets rather than reusing and optimizing existing ones.

“We learned the hard way,” Abrak shared. “Hitman 2016 was built with a solid foundation that allowed us to reuse content and make new experiences more efficiently.” He revealed that the development costs for the series dropped significantly with each release, from $100 million for Hitman 2016 to just $20 million for Hitman 3, which ultimately received the highest ratings in the franchise.

For the Bond game, IO Interactive intends to apply a similar approach, ensuring the game remains fresh while keeping production costs in check

. Abrak is confident that 007 First Light will lay the groundwork for a potential trilogy, although the studio has made it clear that Hitman is on hiatus while they focus on the Bond project. Set for release in 2026, the game will take players on an emotional journey through Bond’s early years, focusing on his tragic childhood and eventual recruitment into MI6. Alongside the game’s release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, a Nintendo Switch 2 version will also be available.

While it may be tempting to compare 007 First Light to past Bond games or films, IO Interactive is keen on offering a unique take on the iconic character, exploring his origin story in a fresh way. Fans of Hitman need not worry, though; IO has announced that a co-op mode is coming to the franchise, with Mads Mikkelsen returning as an Elusive Target.

In the end, Abrak’s goal is simple: to create a sustainable production pipeline for AAA games that balances creativity and efficiency. And while he’s not promising perfection, he’s confident that the lessons learned from Hitman will lead to a more impactful, longer-lasting experience for fans of James Bond.