IO Interactive’s chief executive, Hakan Abrak, is set to lead a dedicated session on the creation of 007 First Light during the upcoming Game Republic New Horizons conference. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Abrak also functions as the game’s director, giving him a unique perspective on both the business and creative aspects of the title. During his talk he will walk the audience through the design philosophy, technical challenges, and narrative decisions that shaped the James Bond experience.
First Light has quickly become IO Interactive’s most successful launch ever, moving more than four million copies within the first three months on its initial platforms. The impressive sales figures underscore the franchise’s broad appeal and the studio’s ability to translate a beloved cinematic spy universe into an interactive format that feels fresh yet faithful.
Building on that momentum, the company has announced a forthcoming release for the next‑generation Nintendo Switch 2, slated for late 2026, which will bring the high‑octane espionage action to a portable audience. When asked about his participation, Abrak expressed genuine excitement: "I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to discuss 007 First Light, a project that has been a dream for IO Interactive from day one." His enthusiasm reflects the deep personal connection many of the development team members have with the Bond legacy, a sentiment echoed by the conference’s managing director, Jamie Sefton.
Sefton, a self‑confessed Bond aficionado, remarked, "Welcoming Hakan and his team is a real privilege. I’m eager to hear how such an iconic character was re‑imagined by such a talented group of developers." Abrak will share the stage with a roster of seasoned industry figures. The event’s keynote will be delivered by legendary PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi, followed by insights from Rebecca Lautner, chief business officer at 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 how artificial intelligence is reshaping design without inflating expectations. Beyond the main sessions, New Horizons offers a fireside chat in the Investor Zone with Tencent’s business development director Teddy Keefe, providing a glimpse into the strategic partnerships shaping the global games market.
Another panel, "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 discuss the realities of early‑stage financing for indie studios. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak reflected on First Light’s commercial performance, noting that while the studio has not yet fully recouped its investment due to ongoing royalty arrangements and partnership structures, the title has already exceeded internal forecasts.
"It’s surpassing everything we imagined," he said. "By all measures, this is shaping up to be a landmark success for us." The conversation around the Bond franchise’s future remains active. IO Interactive is reportedly in "ongoing conversations" with Amazon, the current holder of the James Bond license, to explore long‑term collaboration possibilities. While the focus for now remains on extending First Light’s lifecycle and delivering post‑launch content, Abrak hinted that future discussions could lead to new installments or expanded narrative arcs.
"At some point down the line we’ll be talking about broader plans with Amazon and IOI," he added, suggesting that the partnership may evolve beyond a single title. Game Republic New Horizons will be hosted at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14‑16, offering developers, investors, and media a three‑day platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and showcasing upcoming projects. GameIndustry.biz serves as a media partner for the event, ensuring extensive coverage of the sessions and announcements.
Attendees can expect Abrak’s presentation to delve into specific development milestones: from early concept art and storyboarding, through the iterative process of motion capture and combat system design, to the challenges of optimizing the game for multiple hardware configurations, including the upcoming Switch 2. He will also discuss community feedback loops that helped refine gameplay balance and narrative pacing after the initial release. The session aims to provide both aspiring developers and seasoned veterans with actionable insights into managing a high‑profile licensed property, navigating publisher relationships, and leveraging cross‑platform releases to maximize reach.
By sharing both triumphs and setbacks, Abrak hopes to illustrate that even blockbuster‑level projects benefit from agile development practices and a clear creative vision. Overall, the New Horizons conference promises a rich blend of strategic discourse, technical deep‑dives, and industry networking, with Hakan Abrak’s First Light segment positioned as a highlight for anyone interested in the intersection of iconic storytelling and modern game design.