IO Interactive’s chief executive, Hakan Abrak, is slated to lead a dedicated session on the creation of the James Bond‑themed title 007 First Light during the upcoming Game Republic New Horizons conference. In addition to his duties as CEO, Abrak also occupies the role of game director for First Light, 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 design philosophy, technical hurdles, and narrative choices that shaped the game, which has already become the studio’s fastest‑selling release, moving more than four million units within its first ninety days on the market.
The title is set to expand its platform reach with a launch on the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2, anticipated for late 2026. "I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the story behind 007 First Light, a project that began as a dream for IO Interactive," Abrak said in a recent interview. His enthusiasm underscores the studio’s commitment to delivering a fresh take on the iconic spy while respecting the legacy that fans expect.
Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed that sentiment, noting, "Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s a huge honour to welcome Hakan and his team to our conference. I’m eager to hear about the brilliant process behind First Light and how the talented crew managed to bring such a legendary character to life in a new medium." Sefton’s comments highlight the broader industry interest in how a modern developer interprets a franchise that has been part of popular culture for decades.
Abrak will join a distinguished roster of speakers at New Horizons. The lineup includes legendary PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi as a keynote presenter, Rebecca Lautner, chief business officer of Landfall, and a forward‑looking panel titled “Hype‑free Assessment of AI in Games.” That discussion will feature AI specialist Tommy Thompson, Creative Assembly’s Duyguy Cakmak, and Matthias Siemonsmeier from Splash Damage, who will examine the realistic expectations and practical applications of artificial intelligence in contemporary game design.
The conference also offers an Investor Zone where Tencent’s business development director, Teddy Keefe, will sit down for a fireside chat, providing insight into the financial dynamics of large‑scale game publishing. Another panel, “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment,” will feature Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan from Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games, who will share strategies for early‑stage funding and navigating the volatile startup environment.
In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak reflected on the commercial performance of First Light, saying, "We haven’t fully recouped the investment yet because of the partnership structure and royalty agreements, but the results have already exceeded our most optimistic projections. This title is shaping up to be a landmark achievement for us, both financially and creatively." He emphasized that the game’s success is not just measured in sales figures but also in its ability to reinvigorate the Bond brand within the interactive medium.
IO Interactive remains in ongoing dialogue with Amazon, the current holder of the James Bond license, regarding the franchise’s longer‑term direction. While the immediate focus is on supporting First Light and its post‑launch live‑service elements, Abrak hinted that future collaborations are on the horizon. "We’ll be discussing broader plans with Amazon in due course, but for now our priority is to ensure First Light continues to thrive and evolve," he explained.
Game Republic New Horizons is scheduled to take place at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to October 16, 2026. The event promises a blend of high‑level industry insight, practical investment advice, and deep dives into cutting‑edge development topics. As a media partner, GamesIndustry.biz will provide comprehensive coverage of the conference, ensuring that the key takeaways from Abrak’s session and the broader program reach a global audience of developers, publishers, and investors.
Overall, Abrak’s appearance at New Horizons underscores IO Interactive’s ambition to push the boundaries of licensed game development while maintaining a strong connection to the fan community. By sharing the behind‑the‑scenes story of 007 First Light, he aims to inspire other studios to approach beloved IPs with fresh creativity, rigorous design standards, and a respect for the legacy that makes such properties timeless.