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 role as CEO, Abrak also serves 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, and technical innovations that shaped First Light, a title that has already become the fastest‑selling game in IO Interactive’s history, moving more than four million units within its first three months on the market. First Light’s commercial performance has been nothing short of spectacular, and the company is now gearing up for a major platform expansion.
The game is slated for release on the next‑generation Nintendo Switch 2 console, with a launch window aimed for late 2026. This move is intended to broaden the game’s audience and capitalize on the handheld’s massive user base, while also delivering a refined experience that leverages the Switch 2’s enhanced hardware capabilities. When asked about his upcoming appearance, Abrak expressed genuine excitement: "I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the story behind 007 First Light, a project that has been a dream for our studio from day one." His enthusiasm reflects the passion that has driven the team throughout development, from early concept sketches to the final polish that players now enjoy.
Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed this sentiment, noting his personal connection to the franchise: "Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s an enormous honor to host Hakan and the IO Interactive crew at our event. I’m eager to dive deeper into the brilliant process that brought such an iconic spy to life on screen and to hear firsthand how the talented team tackled the unique challenges of adapting a beloved cinematic universe into an interactive experience." Abrak’s session will be part of a star‑studded lineup of industry veterans at New Horizons. The agenda includes a keynote address by legendary PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi, a strategic briefing from 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 future titles. The conference also offers a fireside chat in the Investor Zone with Tencent’s business development director Teddy Keefe, providing insights into the evolving relationship between large publishers and independent studios.
Another notable session, “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment,” will see Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan of Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games share practical advice on navigating early‑stage funding. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak reflected on First Light’s unexpected success. He explained that while the studio has not yet fully recouped its investment—due to a revenue‑sharing agreement with the franchise’s license holder, Amazon, and ongoing royalty obligations—the game has already surpassed internal forecasts. "It’s exceeded our wildest dreams and expectations.
By every metric, it’s shaping up to be a monumental milestone for us, marking a new era of success for IO Interactive," he said. Looking ahead, IO Interactive remains in active dialogue with Amazon, the current owner of the James Bond license.
Although concrete plans are still being hashed out, Abrak hinted that discussions are moving beyond First Light itself and will eventually encompass broader strategic collaborations. "In the near future, we’ll be talking about long‑term plans between Amazon and IO Interactive," he remarked, suggesting that the partnership could yield additional Bond‑related titles or expansions. Game Republic New Horizons will be hosted at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to 16, offering attendees a blend of high‑profile talks, networking opportunities, and industry showcases.
As a media partner, GamesIndustry.biz will provide extensive coverage of the event, ensuring that the insights shared by leaders like Abrak reach a global audience of developers, investors, and gamers. Overall, the conference promises to deliver a deep dive into the creative process behind one of the most successful recent releases in the spy‑action genre, while also exploring broader themes such as AI integration, investment strategies, and the evolving landscape of licensed IP development. Participants can look forward to gaining valuable knowledge from seasoned professionals and discovering how IO Interactive plans to build on the momentum generated by 007 First Light as it prepares for its upcoming launch on Nintendo Switch 2 and potentially expands the James Bond universe in new, innovative directions.