IO Interactive’s chief executive, Hakan Abrak, is slated to lead a dedicated session on the James Bond‑themed title 007 First Light during the upcoming Game Republic New Horizons conference. In addition to his role as CEO, Abrak also functions as the game’s director, giving him a unique perspective on both the business and creative facets of the project. During his talk, he will walk the audience through the conception, design challenges, and technical achievements that have defined the development journey of the latest Bond installment.
First Light has quickly become IO Interactive’s most successful launch to date. Within the first ninety days on the market, the game moved more than four million copies, a milestone that eclipses the company’s previous best‑selling titles. The rapid sales velocity underscores the strong demand for fresh, narrative‑driven experiences set in the iconic 007 universe, as well as the studio’s ability to translate the classic spy aesthetic into modern gameplay mechanics.
While the initial release targeted current‑generation consoles and PC, the publisher has already confirmed a port for the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2, slated for a late‑2026 release. This move signals IO Interactive’s commitment to reaching a broader audience and capitalising on the handheld market’s resurgence. When asked about his participation in the event, Abrak expressed genuine enthusiasm: “I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the story behind 007 First Light. This project has been a dream for our studio from day one, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it resonate with fans worldwide.” His remarks highlight not only the personal pride he feels but also the collaborative spirit that drove the title’s creation.
Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed the sentiment, noting his own long‑standing admiration for the Bond franchise. “Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s just a huge honour to welcome Hakan and IO Interactive to our conference.
I can’t wait to learn more about the brilliant 007 First Light’s creation and how the talented team worked on bringing such an iconic character to life,” he said. Sefton’s comment underscores the event’s appeal to both industry insiders and enthusiasts eager for behind‑the‑scenes insights.
Abrak will join a distinguished roster of speakers at New Horizons, which includes legendary figures such as former PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi, Landfall’s chief business officer Rebecca Lautner, and a panel titled “Hype‑free Assessment of AI in Games.” The AI panel will feature Tommy Thompson (AI and Games), Duyguy Cakmak (Creative Assembly), and Matthias Siemonsmeier (Splash Damage), who will debate the realistic expectations and ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence in interactive entertainment. In addition to the main programming, the conference will host a fireside chat in the Investor Zone with Tencent’s business development director Teddy Keefe.
Another notable session, “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment,” will bring together Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan of Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games to discuss the nuances of early‑stage financing for indie developers. Abrak recently opened up about First Light’s commercial performance in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.
He explained, “We haven’t completely recouped yet because there’s a partnership component and ongoing royalties, but the results have already exceeded our most optimistic forecasts. It’s shaping up to be a record‑breaking achievement for us, and by every metric it’s a massive new success.” His candid assessment reflects the complex revenue structures that often accompany licensed properties, where profit sharing and royalty obligations can extend the break‑even timeline.
The future of the Bond franchise remains a topic of active discussion between IO Interactive and the license holder, Amazon. While concrete details are still under negotiation, Abrak hinted at forthcoming announcements: “We are in ongoing conversations with Amazon about the longer‑term direction of the Bond series. For now, our focus is on First Light and its live‑service extensions, but you can expect more news about our partnership in the near future.” This statement suggests that additional content updates, expansions, or perhaps entirely new Bond titles could be on the horizon, pending final agreements.
Game Republic New Horizons will take place at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to October 16. The three‑day event promises a blend of high‑level industry panels, hands‑on demos, and networking opportunities for developers, investors, and media representatives.
As a media partner, GamesIndustry.biz will provide extensive coverage, ensuring that the insights shared by Abrak and other speakers reach a global audience of game professionals and enthusiasts alike. Overall, Hakan Abrak’s participation highlights IO Interactive’s strategic emphasis on narrative‑driven, licensed experiences and underscores the studio’s ambition to maintain a leading position in the competitive action‑adventure market. Attendees can look forward to a deep dive into the artistic choices, technical innovations, and business strategies that have propelled 007 First Light to its current acclaim, as well as a glimpse into the potential next chapters of the James Bond video‑game saga.