IO Interactive’s chief executive, Hakan Abrak, is set to lead a dedicated session on the James Bond‑themed title 007 First Light during Game Republic’s upcoming New Horizons conference. In addition to his role as CEO, Abrak also serves as the game’s director, giving him a unique perspective on both the business and creative aspects of the project. During his talk, he will walk the audience through the conception, design challenges, and technical achievements that have defined the development journey of the Bond installment. First Light has quickly become IO Interactive’s most successful launch to date, moving more than four million units within just three months of its release.
The rapid sales momentum has positioned the title as a flagship title for the studio, and the company is already planning a release on the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 platform slated for late 2026. This upcoming console launch is expected to broaden the game’s audience further, tapping into the massive install base of Nintendo’s handheld‑first ecosystem. "I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic’s New Horizons event and to share the story behind 007 First Light," Abrak said in a recent statement. "The game started as a dream project for us—a chance to bring one of the most iconic spies to life in a way that feels fresh, immersive, and true to the spirit of the franchise.
Seeing it resonate with players worldwide has been incredibly rewarding." Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed that excitement. "Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s an enormous honour to welcome Hakan and the IO Interactive team to our conference.
I’m eager to hear about the brilliant creative process behind First Light and how the team managed to capture the essence of such a legendary character while pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling." Abrak will join a distinguished roster of industry veterans featured 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 market trends. A particularly anticipated panel, titled “Hype‑Free Assessment of AI in Games,” will feature AI specialist Tommy Thompson, Creative Assembly’s Duyguy Cakmak, and Splash Damage’s Matthias Siemonsmeier, who will debate the realistic applications and limitations of artificial intelligence in modern game design. Beyond the main stage, the conference’s Investor Zone will host a fireside chat with Tencent’s business development director Teddy Keefe, offering insights into the intersection of gaming and global investment.
Another panel, “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment,” will see seasoned 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.
"We haven’t fully recouped the development costs yet because of the partnership structure and ongoing royalties, but the numbers have already exceeded our most optimistic forecasts. This title is shaping up to be a record‑breaking success for IO Interactive across all metrics." The studio is also in “ongoing conversations” with Amazon, the current holder of the James Bond licence, about the longer‑term future of the franchise. While the immediate focus remains on supporting First Light and its upcoming live‑service extensions, Abrak hinted that broader collaboration talks are progressing. "At some point in the future we’ll be discussing the next steps between Amazon and IO Interactive," he said, indicating that the partnership could evolve beyond the current title.
Game Republic’s New Horizons 2026 will take place at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14‑16, gathering developers, publishers, investors, and media from around the globe. GamesIndustry.biz will serve as a media partner for the event, providing coverage and analysis of the sessions, announcements, and networking opportunities. Attendees can expect a deep dive into the creative decisions that shaped 007 First Light, including character design, narrative integration, and the technical innovations that enabled the game’s seamless open‑world experience. Abrak is also expected to reveal upcoming content updates, post‑launch support plans, and perhaps tease future Bond‑related projects that could expand the universe further.
Overall, the session promises to offer both aspiring developers and seasoned veterans valuable lessons on balancing franchise expectations with innovative gameplay, managing large‑scale releases, and navigating complex licensing agreements—all through the lens of one of the most successful recent releases in the action‑adventure genre.