IO Interactive skjuter upp 007:s första ljussläpp till slutet av maj 2026

007 First Light has been delayed, with IO Interactive moving the James Bond title from March 27 to May 27, 2026. The studio confirmed the change in a public announcement released just before the end of the year, citing the need for additional development time despite the game being fully playable from start to finish.

The delay places the project two months later than originally planned. IO Interactive said the decision was made to protect quality at launch and to give the team space to polish systems, performance, and long-term support foundations. The studio is publishing the game independently, a factor it emphasized as part of the reasoning behind the shift.

“007: First Light is our most ambitious project to date, and the team has been fully focused on delivering an unforgettable James Bond experience, bringing together breathtaking action, globe-trotting, spycraft, gadgets, car chases, and more,” said IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak.

Abrak added that the game is progressing steadily and is already playable end-to-end. According to him, the added time will be used to refine the experience and position it for sustained success after launch rather than rushing to meet an earlier date.

“As an independent developer and publisher, this decision allows us to ensure the experience meets the level of quality you players deserve on day one,” — Hakan Abrak

IO Interactive also stated that further updates will be shared early next year, suggesting marketing and previews will resume once the additional development phase is further along.

The new May release window appears strategically chosen. The shift follows the recent delay of GTA 6, which was moved to November 19, 2026. That change cleared a major spring release slot that would otherwise have been dominated by Rockstar’s title. IO Interactive now occupies a quieter period in the calendar, reducing competition during launch.

Industry observers have noted a broader trend of publishers spacing releases more carefully around major tentpole games. The adjustment for 007 First Light aligns with that pattern, particularly as the Bond title represents IO Interactive’s first major release outside the Hitman franchise and carries higher expectations tied to the license.

The studio’s messaging focused on stability and polish rather than content expansion. There was no indication of new features being added during the delay period. Instead, IO Interactive framed the extra time as refinement work on systems already in place.

007 First Light marks the first major James Bond game in more than a decade and introduces a younger version of the character early in his MI6 career. The game blends third-person stealth with cinematic action, drawing heavily on IO Interactive’s experience designing open-ended mission spaces.

The title has already been shown publicly, including gameplay that highlights social stealth mechanics, disguises, and environmental manipulation. Those systems are closely associated with the studio’s Hitman lineage, though IO Interactive has stated the Bond game is structured around a more narrative-driven progression.

While the announcement carried a light tone in places, the underlying message was consistent with recent industry delays. IO Interactive positioned the decision as proactive rather than reactive, emphasizing control over scheduling rather than responding to technical setbacks.

The delay does not change the game’s platform targets or scope. IO Interactive remains committed to releasing on the previously announced systems, with no indication of staggered launches or early access plans.

As release calendars continue to shift across the industry, the move places 007 First Light in a less congested window, potentially benefiting visibility and sales. Whether the added time results in noticeable improvements will become clearer once new footage and hands-on impressions emerge in 2026.

Read also, 007 First Light Gameplay Revealed in State of Play Showcase, where IO Interactive showed an extended mission set in a Slovakian hotel, emphasizing social stealth, disguises, and multiple approaches rooted in the studio’s Hitman design heritage, alongside a younger Bond navigating his early MI6 assignments.