IO Interactive’s chief executive officer, Hakan Abrak, is slated to lead a dedicated session on the creation of the James Bond‑themed title 007 First Light during Game Republic’s New Horizons conference in 2026. In addition to his duties as CEO, Abrak also serves as the game’s director, giving him a unique perspective on both the business and creative aspects of the project. During the session, Abrak will walk attendees through the development journey of First Light, from its initial concept sketches to the final polish that has propelled it to become IO Interactive’s fastest‑selling game ever.
Within just three months of launch, the title has moved more than four million units worldwide, a milestone that has exceeded the studio’s most optimistic forecasts. The upcoming release on Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled for late 2026, is expected to broaden the game’s audience even further, bringing the iconic secret agent to a new generation of handheld gamers.
"I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the story behind 007 First Light, a project that has been a true passion for our team," Abrak said in a pre‑event interview. "From the earliest brainstorming sessions to the final rendering of Bond’s gadgets and environments, every step has been a labor of love.
Seeing the community respond so positively has been incredibly rewarding." Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed the excitement, noting his personal admiration for the Bond franchise. "Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s a huge honour to welcome Hakan and the IO Interactive crew to our conference. I’m eager to hear how the team managed to capture the essence of such an iconic character while pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling." Abrak joins a distinguished roster of industry veterans at New Horizons. The lineup includes legendary PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi, who will deliver the opening keynote, as well as Rebecca Lautner, chief business officer of Landfall, who will discuss market trends.
A panel titled “Hype‑free Assessment of AI in Games” will feature AI specialist Tommy Thompson, Creative Assembly’s Duyguy Cakmak, and Matthias Siemonsmeier from Splash Damage, offering a balanced view on the realistic applications of artificial intelligence in game design. The conference will also host a fireside chat in the Investor Zone with Tencent’s business development director Teddy Keefe, focusing on strategic partnerships in the gaming sector.
Another panel, “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment,” will see insights from Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan of Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games, providing practical advice for indie developers seeking funding. In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak reflected on First Light’s commercial performance.
"We haven’t fully recouped our investment yet because of ongoing royalty agreements and partnership structures, but the numbers are already surpassing our most ambitious expectations. This title is setting a new record for us and, by every metric, represents a massive success," he explained.
IO Interactive is also maintaining an open dialogue with Amazon, the current holder of the James Bond video‑game license. While concrete details remain under wraps, Abrak hinted at future collaborations. "We’re in ongoing talks with Amazon about the broader direction of the Bond franchise. Right now, the focus is on First Light and its post‑launch roadmap, but we anticipate discussing longer‑term plans between Amazon and IO Interactive soon," he said.
Game Republic New Horizons will be held at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to 16, 2026. The event promises a blend of high‑level industry insights, networking opportunities, and deep dives into cutting‑edge game development topics. GameIndustry.biz will serve as a media partner for the summit, providing coverage and analysis throughout the three‑day gathering.
Attendees can look forward to an in‑depth exploration of how IO Interactive approached the challenge of adapting a globally recognized spy franchise into an interactive experience that feels both fresh and faithful to the source material. Abrak’s session is expected to cover narrative design, technical innovations, marketing strategies, and the collaborative process with the license holder.
By sharing these insights, the goal is to inspire other developers to tackle ambitious IP adaptations while maintaining creative integrity. Overall, the New Horizons conference aims to spotlight the evolving landscape of game development, from AI integration to funding models, and to celebrate landmark projects like 007 First Light that push the medium forward. With industry leaders like Abrak on stage, participants will gain a rare glimpse into the strategic decisions and creative passions that drive today’s most successful games.