IO Interactive Chief Executive Hakan Abrak to Speak on the Creation of 007: First Light at Game Republic New Horizons 2026

IO Interactive’s chief executive officer, Hakan Abrak, is slated to lead a dedicated session on the upcoming James Bond title, 007: First Light, during the Game Republic New Horizons conference. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Abrak also serves as the game’s director, giving him a unique perspective on both the business and creative aspects of the project. During his talk he will walk attendees through the development journey of the Bond‑themed game, from its earliest concept sketches to the final polishing stages that prepared it for release. First Light has quickly become IO Interactive’s most successful launch to date.

Within just three months of hitting the market, the title has moved more than four million units worldwide, a milestone that surpasses the performance of the studio’s previous releases. The strong sales figures are especially noteworthy given the competitive nature of the action‑adventure genre and the high expectations that come with attaching a legendary franchise like James Bond to a new game. Building on this momentum, IO Interactive has announced that a version for the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will arrive in late 2026, expanding the game’s reach to a broader console audience.

When asked about his upcoming appearance, Abrak expressed genuine enthusiasm. "I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the story behind 007: First Light," he said.

"This project has been a dream for our studio, and presenting it to fellow developers and industry leaders is a true honor." His remarks underscore the personal connection many of the team members feel toward the Bond universe, a connection that helped shape the game’s tone, narrative style, and gameplay mechanics. Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing his own long‑standing admiration for the spy franchise. "Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s a huge honour to welcome Hakan and the IO Interactive crew to our conference," Sefton remarked. "I’m eager to hear the inside story of how the brilliant 007: First Light was crafted and to learn how such a talented team managed to breathe fresh life into an iconic character while respecting the legacy that fans cherish." Abrak will join a roster of seasoned industry veterans who are also speaking at New Horizons.

The lineup includes legendary PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi delivering a keynote address, Rebecca Lautner, chief business officer of Landfall, and a forward‑looking panel titled “Hype‑free Assessment of AI in Games.” The AI panel will feature Tommy Thompson of AI and Games, Duyguy Cakmak from Creative Assembly, and Matthias Siemonsmeier of Splash Damage, who will discuss realistic expectations for artificial intelligence in interactive entertainment. The conference’s Investor Zone will host a fireside chat with Tencent’s business development director, Teddy Keefe, offering insight into strategic partnerships and market expansion. Another panel, “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment,” will bring together Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan from Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games to share practical advice for indie developers seeking early‑stage financing.

In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak reflected on the commercial performance of First Light. "We haven’t fully recouped our investment yet because of the partnership structure and royalty arrangements, but the results have already exceeded our most optimistic projections," he explained. "By all measures, this title represents a massive breakthrough for IO Interactive, and we anticipate it will continue to set new records for us moving forward." Looking ahead, IO Interactive remains in active dialogue with Amazon, the current holder of the James Bond video‑game license. While concrete details are still being negotiated, Abrak hinted that discussions are progressing beyond the immediate scope of First Light.

"We are in ongoing conversations about the future of the Bond franchise with Amazon," he said. "For now, our focus is on supporting First Light and its post‑launch live services, but we expect to explore broader collaborative opportunities in the near future." Game Republic New Horizons will be held at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to October 16, 2026.

The event promises a blend of high‑profile keynotes, deep‑dive panels, and networking opportunities for developers, investors, and media alike. As a media partner, GamesIndustry.biz will provide extensive coverage of the conference, ensuring that the insights shared by leaders such as Hakan Abrak reach a global audience of game‑making professionals. Overall, the inclusion of IO Interactive’s CEO in the program highlights the growing importance of narrative‑driven, franchise‑based titles in the modern gaming landscape.

With 007: First Light already proving its commercial viability and setting the stage for future expansions on new hardware, Abrak’s session is poised to offer valuable lessons on balancing brand stewardship with innovative gameplay design, managing partnership economics, and sustaining long‑term player engagement through live‑service updates.