IO Interactive’s chief executive, Hakan Abrak, is set to lead a dedicated session on the James Bond title 007 First Light during Game Republic’s flagship conference, New Horizons 2026. In his dual capacity as both CEO and game director for First Light, Abrak will pull back the curtain on the creative and technical journey that brought the iconic spy to life in a fresh, interactive format. First Light has quickly become IO Interactive’s most successful launch to date, moving more than four million units within just three months of release.
The rapid uptake reflects both the enduring appeal of the Bond franchise and the studio’s reputation for delivering polished, narrative‑driven experiences. While the game is already available on current‑generation consoles and PC, a version for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for a late‑2026 release, extending its reach to handheld gamers worldwide. "I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the story behind 007 First Light, a project that started as a dream for our team," Abrak remarked in a recent interview. "From the initial concept sketches to the final polish, every step has been a labor of love for the Bond universe and for our players." Game Republic managing director Jamie Sefton echoed that enthusiasm, noting, "Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s an absolute honour to welcome Hakan and the IO Interactive crew to our conference.
I’m eager to hear how the brilliant team tackled the challenge of translating such a legendary character into an interactive adventure." Abrak’s appearance is part of a star‑studded lineup that includes industry legends such as former PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi, who will deliver the opening keynote, and Rebecca Lautner, Chief Business Officer at Landfall, who will discuss emerging market trends. A particularly timely 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, exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance gameplay without inflating expectations.
The conference also offers a more intimate fireside chat in the Investor Zone, where Tencent’s Business Development Director Teddy Keefe will discuss strategic partnerships in the gaming sector. 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 share hard‑won lessons on fundraising for indie developers. In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak reflected on First Light’s commercial performance. "We haven’t fully recouped the investment yet because of ongoing partnership agreements and royalty structures, but the results have already exceeded our most optimistic forecasts.
By every metric, this title is shaping up to be a landmark achievement for IO Interactive," he said. Looking ahead, IO Interactive remains in “ongoing conversations” with Amazon, the current holder of the James Bond video‑game license. While the studio is careful not to disclose specifics, Abrak hinted that discussions are moving beyond First Light and its post‑launch support. "Soon, in the not‑too‑distant future, we’ll be talking about broader plans with Amazon and what the next chapter of the Bond franchise could look like for us," he added.
Game Republic’s New Horizons 2026 will be hosted at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 through October 16. The event promises a blend of high‑level industry insight, hands‑on workshops, and networking opportunities for developers, publishers, and investors alike. As a media partner, GamesIndustry.biz will provide extensive coverage of the summit, ensuring that the key takeaways reach a global audience. The inclusion of IO Interactive’s CEO underscores the growing significance of licensed IPs in the modern gaming landscape.
By marrying a beloved cinematic universe with cutting‑edge game design, 007 First Light demonstrates how studios can leverage established narratives while still delivering fresh, player‑centric experiences. Attendees can expect to walk away with a deeper appreciation of the collaborative processes—spanning narrative writing, level design, performance capture, and technical optimization—that are required to honor a legacy character like James Bond while pushing the medium forward.
Beyond the immediate excitement surrounding the upcoming Switch 2 launch, Abrak’s session will likely touch on broader strategic themes: how IO Interactive balances creative ambition with commercial realities, the role of cross‑platform releases in extending a game’s lifecycle, and the importance of community feedback in shaping post‑launch updates. For anyone interested in the business of licensed games, the panel offers a rare glimpse into the negotiations and partnership dynamics that underpin high‑profile titles. In summary, Hakan Abrak’s participation at Game Republic New Horizons 2026 not only spotlights the success of 007 First Light but also positions IO Interactive at the forefront of discussions about the future of franchise‑based gaming, AI integration, and investment strategies in an ever‑evolving industry.