IO Interactive’s chief executive officer, Hakan Abrak, is set 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 executive responsibilities, Abrak also serves as the game’s director, giving him a hands‑on perspective on the artistic and technical challenges that shaped the project. During his talk, Abrak will walk attendees through the entire development pipeline, from the initial concept sketches and narrative design workshops to the final polishing stages that prepared the game for launch. He will highlight how the studio leveraged its proprietary technology to capture the sleek aesthetic of the Bond universe while still delivering the fast‑paced, story‑driven gameplay that fans have come to expect from IO Interactive.
The session will also cover the marketing strategy that propelled First Light to become the company’s quickest‑selling title ever, moving more than four million units within just ninety days of release. The success of First Light is especially noteworthy because it marks IO Interactive’s first major foray onto the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 platform, with a scheduled release in late 2026. Abrak expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that the handheld console’s enhanced hardware capabilities allowed the team to push graphical fidelity and frame‑rate performance beyond what was previously possible on earlier Nintendo hardware. He added that the collaboration with Nintendo opened new avenues for reaching a broader audience, particularly younger gamers who are discovering the world of 007 for the first time.
"I’m genuinely thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the story behind 007 First Light," Abrak said in a recent press release. "This project has been a dream for our studio since we first secured the Bond license, and seeing it resonate with players worldwide is incredibly rewarding." Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed that sentiment, stating, "As a massive James Bond fan, it’s a huge honour to welcome Hakan and the IO Interactive team to our conference.
I’m eager to learn more about the brilliant process that brought such an iconic character to life and how the talented crew overcame the unique challenges of adapting a cinematic legend into an interactive experience." Abrak will join a roster of seasoned industry figures at New Horizons. The lineup includes legendary PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi, who will deliver the keynote address, as well as Rebecca Lautner, Chief Business Officer at Landfall, who will discuss emerging trends in game publishing. A notable panel titled “Hype‑Free Assessment of AI in Games” will feature AI specialist Tommy Thompson, Creative Assembly’s Duyguy Cakmak, and Matthias Siemonsmeier from Splash Damage, offering a balanced look at the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in interactive media. The conference’s Investor Zone will host a fireside chat with Tencent’s Business Development Director Teddy Keefe, providing insight into how large tech conglomerates are approaching game investments.
Another panel, “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment,” will see veteran investors Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan from Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games share practical advice for indie developers seeking early‑stage funding. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak reflected on First Light’s commercial performance, acknowledging that while the title has not yet fully recouped its development costs due to ongoing royalty agreements, it has exceeded the studio’s original expectations.
"It’s already a massive record for us, and by all measures it represents a huge new success," he remarked. He also hinted at future collaborations, noting that IO Interactive remains in “ongoing conversations” with Amazon, the current holder of the James Bond license, about expanding the franchise beyond First Light. "We’re talking about the next steps for the Bond universe and how we can continue to evolve the live‑service component of First Light," Abrak added. "In time, we hope to share more concrete plans about our partnership with Amazon and what that means for future titles." Game Republic New Horizons will be held at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to October 16, 2026.
The event promises a blend of high‑level strategic discussions, technical deep‑dives, and networking opportunities for developers, investors, and media professionals alike. As a media partner, GamesIndustry.biz will provide extensive coverage of the conference, ensuring that key announcements—such as Abrak’s session on 007 First Light—reach a global audience of industry stakeholders. Overall, the upcoming New Horizons summit offers a unique platform for IO Interactive to showcase its achievements with the James Bond franchise, while also positioning the studio for future growth and collaboration within the rapidly evolving gaming landscape.