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 Game Republic’s New Horizons conference in 2026. In addition to his duties as CEO, Abrak also serves as the game’s director, granting him a unique perspective on both the business and creative aspects of the project. During his talk, he will walk the audience through the conceptual origins, design challenges, and technical breakthroughs that shaped the game, which has already become the studio’s fastest‑selling title, moving more than four million units within the first three months of launch.
First Light’s commercial success is particularly noteworthy given the competitive nature of the modern shooter market. The title’s blend of cinematic storytelling, sophisticated stealth mechanics, and a faithful recreation of the James Bond universe resonated strongly with both longtime fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. The game’s performance has also set the stage for a highly anticipated port to Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 console, scheduled for release in late 2026. This move underscores IO Interactive’s strategy of expanding its audience across multiple platforms while maintaining the high production values that have become synonymous with the brand.
When asked about his upcoming appearance, Abrak expressed genuine enthusiasm: "I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the journey behind 007 First Light. It started as a dream project for our studio, and seeing it come to life has been incredibly rewarding." His remarks highlight the personal passion that drove the development team, many of whom grew up idolizing the iconic secret agent. Game Republic Managing Director Jamie Sefton echoed this sentiment, adding, "Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s a huge honor to welcome Hakan and the IO Interactive crew to our conference.
I’m eager to dive deeper into the brilliant process that brought such an iconic character to the screen and to hear firsthand how the talented team tackled the creative and technical hurdles along the way." Abrak’s session will be part of a broader lineup that features several industry veterans. Among the headline speakers is Ken Kutaragi, often referred to as the "Father of the PlayStation," who will deliver the opening keynote. The agenda also includes a presentation by Rebecca Lautner, Chief Business Officer at Landfall, and a thought‑provoking panel titled "Hype‑free Assessment of AI in Games," featuring AI specialist Tommy Thompson, Creative Assembly’s Duyguy Cakmak, and Matthias Siemonsmeier from Splash Damage. These discussions aim to provide a balanced view of emerging technologies without succumbing to buzzword hype.
In addition to the main stage events, the conference will host a fireside chat within the Investor Zone with Tencent’s Business Development Director Teddy Keefe, offering insights into cross‑border publishing and investment trends. Another panel, "Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment," will feature seasoned investors Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan of Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games, who will 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, "While we haven’t fully recouped the development costs yet due to partnership structures and royalty arrangements, the results have already exceeded our most optimistic forecasts. This title is setting a new benchmark for us and represents a massive commercial triumph by every metric we track." The conversation also touched on the future of the James Bond license. IO Interactive is currently engaged in "ongoing conversations" with Amazon, the current rights holder for the Bond franchise, about long‑term collaboration. Abrak clarified that, for the moment, the focus remains on supporting First Light and its post‑launch content pipeline, but he hinted that deeper strategic discussions are on the horizon: "In the near future we’ll be exploring broader plans with Amazon and IOI, looking at how we can continue to expand the Bond universe together." Game Republic New Horizons will be held at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to 16, 2026.
The event promises a blend of high‑profile keynotes, technical deep‑dives, and networking opportunities for developers, investors, and media alike. GameIndustry.biz will serve as a media partner for the conference, providing coverage and analysis throughout the three‑day summit.
Attendees can look forward to an immersive experience that not only celebrates the success of 007 First Light but also explores the evolving landscape of game development, publishing, and investment. Whether you’re a fan of the Bond franchise, a developer seeking inspiration, or an investor scouting the next big opportunity, the New Horizons agenda offers valuable takeaways and the chance to hear directly from the leaders shaping the industry’s future.