IO Interactive’s chief executive, Hakan Abrak, is slated to lead a dedicated session on the creation of the James Bond title *007: First Light* during the upcoming Game Republic New Horizons conference. In addition to his role as CEO, Abrak also serves as the game’s director, granting him a unique perspective on both the business and creative challenges that shaped the project. During his talk, Abrak will walk the audience through the development journey of *First Light*, a game that has quickly become IO Interactive’s most successful launch to date.
Within just three months of release, the title has moved more than four million units worldwide, a milestone that not only underscores the enduring appeal of the Bond franchise but also highlights the studio’s ability to deliver a fresh, cinematic experience that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers. The next major platform for the game will be the Nintendo Switch 2, with a slated release in the latter half of 2026, expanding its reach to a broader, handheld‑first audience.
"I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the story behind *007: First Light*," Abrak said in a recent interview. "This project has been a dream for IO Interactive since day one, and seeing it connect with players around the globe has been incredibly rewarding." His remarks reflect a deep personal investment in the title, which was conceived as a narrative‑driven, action‑packed adventure that stays true to the suave, high‑stakes world of James Bond while introducing new gameplay mechanics and a fresh storyline.
Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed the excitement, adding: "Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s an absolute honour to welcome Hakan and the IO Interactive team to our conference. I’m eager to learn more about the brilliant process behind *First Light* and how such a legendary character was re‑imagined by a talented group of developers." Abrak will join a distinguished roster of industry veterans on the New Horizons agenda. The line‑up includes legendary PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi delivering the opening keynote, Rebecca Lautner, chief business officer at Landfall, and a forward‑looking panel titled "Hype‑free Assessment of AI in Games" featuring AI specialist Tommy Thompson, Creative Assembly’s Duyguy Cakmak, and Matthias Siemonsmeier from Splash Damage. The conference will also host a fireside chat in the Investor Zone with Tencent’s business development director Teddy Keefe, as well as a session called "Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment" featuring Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan of Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games.
In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak reflected on the commercial performance of *First Light*. "We haven’t fully recouped the investment yet because of the partnership structure and ongoing royalties, but the results have already exceeded our most optimistic forecasts. By every metric, this is shaping up to be a landmark success for IO Interactive," he explained. He emphasized that the partnership with Amazon, the current holder of the James Bond licensing rights, remains a work in progress.
"We’re in ongoing discussions with Amazon about the future of the franchise. Right now, we’re focusing on extending the life of *First Light* and exploring what comes next," Abrak said, hinting at potential sequels or spin‑offs that could further expand the Bond universe under IO Interactive’s stewardship. The New Horizons event itself will be hosted at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to October 16, offering attendees a blend of high‑profile talks, networking opportunities, and deep‑dive panels on emerging trends in game development, publishing, and investment. GameIndustry.biz will serve as a media partner for the 2026 edition, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the announcements and insights shared on the floor.
Overall, Abrak’s session promises to deliver an inside look at how a classic spy narrative was translated into a modern interactive experience, the strategic decisions that drove its rapid market adoption, and the collaborative relationship between IO Interactive and the Bond license holder. For developers, investors, and fans alike, the discussion will shed light on the intricate balance of creative vision, technical execution, and business acumen required to bring a beloved franchise to life in the digital age. Attendees can expect to walk away with a deeper appreciation for the challenges of adapting a globally recognized IP, the importance of platform diversification—illustrated by the upcoming Switch 2 launch—and the future possibilities that lie at the intersection of storytelling and technology within the James Bond universe.