IO Interactive’s chief executive, Hakan Abrak, is slated to lead a dedicated session on the James Bond title 007 First Light during Game Republic’s New Horizons conference in 2026. 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 dimensions of the project. During his talk, he will walk the audience through the conception, design challenges, technical innovations, and storytelling decisions that shaped the latest Bond adventure, which has already become the studio’s quickest‑selling title ever, moving more than four million units within the first ninety days of release.
First Light’s commercial performance has been remarkable, especially considering the competitive landscape of modern action‑adventure games. The title’s rapid uptake is attributed to a combination of factors: a beloved franchise, a polished gameplay loop that blends stealth, gunplay, and gadgetry, and a marketing push that emphasized the game’s fidelity to the cinematic Bond aesthetic.
Abrak highlighted that the game’s success also stems from strategic partnerships that extend beyond traditional sales, including licensing agreements and royalty structures that continue to generate revenue over time. Looking ahead, the team has confirmed that 007 First Light will arrive on the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 platform in late 2026.
This move signals IO Interactive’s intent to broaden the game’s reach to a more casual, handheld audience while preserving the high‑quality graphics and performance standards expected by core fans. Abrak expressed excitement about the technical work required to port the title to a new console architecture, noting that the development team is already experimenting with enhanced lighting, higher frame rates, and adaptive triggers to make the Bond experience feel fresh on the Switch 2. "I’m genuinely thrilled to attend Game Republic New Horizons and share the story behind 007 First Light," Abrak said in a recent statement.
"The project began as a dream for our studio—a chance to reinterpret an iconic spy for a new generation while staying true to the spirit of the original films. To see it resonate with millions of players worldwide is both humbling and exhilarating." Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed that enthusiasm.
"Being an avid James Bond fan myself, it’s an absolute honor to welcome Hakan and his team to our conference. I’m eager to hear the inside details of how the brilliant 007 First Light was crafted and how the talented crew managed to bring such a legendary character to life in a way that feels both fresh and faithful." Abrak will join a roster of 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 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 discuss realistic expectations for artificial intelligence in interactive entertainment without the surrounding hype. In addition to the main sessions, the conference will host a fireside chat in the Investor Zone with Teddy Keefe, Tencent’s business development director, focusing on cross‑border investment trends in gaming. Another panel, “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment,” will see Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan from Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games share practical advice for indie developers navigating early‑stage financing.
Abrak recently sat down with GamesIndustry.biz to reflect on First Light’s performance. He noted, "We haven’t fully recouped yet because there are ongoing partnership royalties, but the results have already exceeded our most optimistic forecasts.
This title is set to become a landmark achievement for us—a massive commercial and critical success by every metric." The future of the James Bond franchise remains a topic of active discussion between IO Interactive and Amazon, the current license holder. While concrete plans are still being negotiated, Abrak hinted that conversations are moving beyond First Light’s immediate lifecycle. "We’ll eventually discuss longer‑term strategies with Amazon regarding the Bond IP," he said.
"For now, our focus is on supporting First Light and its live‑service component, but we’re optimistic about what lies ahead for the partnership." Game Republic’s New Horizons event is scheduled to take place at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to October 16, 2026. The conference aims to bring together developers, investors, and thought leaders to explore the latest trends and challenges shaping the gaming industry. As part of its media partnerships, GameIndustry.biz will provide extensive coverage of the summit, ensuring that insights from sessions like Abrak’s reach a global audience of enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Attendees can look forward to a deep dive into the creative process behind 007 First Light, including concept art evolution, motion‑capture techniques used to model Bond’s iconic moves, and the narrative decisions that balance classic espionage tropes with modern storytelling sensibilities. Abrak also plans to address community feedback, post‑launch support plans, and the roadmap for future downloadable content that will expand the game’s world and introduce new missions, villains, and gadgets. Overall, the session promises to be a compelling blend of behind‑the‑scenes anecdotes, technical revelations, and strategic outlooks—offering a comprehensive view of how a beloved cinematic franchise can be successfully translated into an interactive medium while achieving record‑breaking sales and setting new standards for future titles.