IO Interactive’s chief executive, Hakan Abrak, is slated to lead a dedicated session on the creation of 007 First Light at the upcoming Game Republic New Horizons conference. In addition to his role as CEO, Abrak also serves as the game’s director, granting him a unique perspective on both the business and creative facets of the title. During his presentation, he will walk attendees through the development journey of the James Bond‑themed adventure, highlighting the challenges the studio faced, the design philosophies that guided the team, and the technical innovations that helped bring the iconic spy to life on modern hardware. First Light has already become IO Interactive’s most rapidly selling product ever, moving more than four million units within the first three months after launch.
The strong commercial performance underscores the global appetite for fresh, high‑quality Bond experiences, and it has set a new benchmark for the studio’s future releases. Building on that momentum, IO Interactive has announced that a version of First Light will be ported to the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2, with a targeted release window in late 2026. This move aims to broaden the game’s audience by making it accessible to handheld gamers who value portability without sacrificing the cinematic feel that defines the Bond 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 story behind 007 First Light, a project that has been a dream for our team since day one." His remarks reflect both personal passion for the franchise and a strategic desire to showcase IO Interactive’s capabilities to a wider industry audience. Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed that sentiment, noting, "As a lifelong James Bond fan, it’s an extraordinary honor to welcome Hakan and his talented crew to our conference.
I’m eager to dive deeper into the creative process that turned such an iconic character into a fresh interactive experience, and to learn how the team balanced reverence for the source material with innovative gameplay mechanics." Abrak will join a distinguished roster of seasoned professionals speaking 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 of Landfall, who will discuss industry trends. A particularly topical 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, who will examine realistic expectations for artificial intelligence in interactive entertainment. The conference’s Investor Zone will host a fireside chat with Tencent’s business development director Teddy Keefe, offering insights into cross‑border investment strategies.
Additionally, a panel called “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment” will feature Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Tracy McGarrigan from Ansible, and Ian Masters of Flick Games, providing practical advice for indie developers seeking early‑stage funding. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak reflected on First Light’s commercial triumph, acknowledging that while the title has not yet fully recouped its development costs due to ongoing royalty arrangements, it has exceeded the studio’s original expectations.
"The numbers are beyond what we imagined," he said. "It’s shaping up to be a record‑breaking achievement for us, and it validates the risk we took in pursuing a high‑profile IP like James Bond." Looking ahead, IO Interactive remains in “ongoing conversations” with Amazon, the current holder of the James Bond license, about the franchise’s longer‑term direction. For the moment, the focus is on maximizing First Light’s lifecycle, including post‑launch support, downloadable content, and the upcoming Switch 2 adaptation. Abrak hinted that future discussions with Amazon could open doors to new narrative installments or expanded cross‑media collaborations, but he cautioned that concrete plans are still in the exploratory phase.
Game Republic New Horizons is scheduled to take place at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to October 16. The event promises a blend of high‑level industry discourse, networking opportunities, and deep dives into emerging technologies. GamesIndustry.biz will serve as a media partner, providing coverage and analysis throughout the three‑day summit. Overall, Abrak’s participation underscores IO Interactive’s commitment to transparency and community engagement.
By sharing the behind‑the‑scenes story of 007 First Light, the studio hopes to inspire other developers, attract new talent, and reinforce its reputation as a leading creator of narrative‑driven, action‑oriented games. Attendees can expect to leave the session with a richer understanding of how a beloved cinematic universe can be translated into an interactive format that respects legacy while pushing the boundaries of gameplay.