IO Interactive’s chief executive, Hakan Abrak, is slated to lead a dedicated session on the James Bond‑themed title 007 First Light during Game Republic’s flagship conference, New Horizons 2026. Abrak, who also wears the hat of game director for First Light, will walk the audience through the creative journey, technical hurdles, and strategic decisions that shaped the latest Bond adventure. First Light has quickly become IO Interactive’s most successful launch ever, moving more than four million units in just the first three months after release.
The title’s rapid uptake underscores both the enduring appeal of the 007 franchise and the studio’s ability to deliver a fresh, cinematic experience that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers. While the game is already a commercial powerhouse on current platforms, the studio has announced a planned port for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, slated for a late‑2026 release, further expanding its audience. "I’m thrilled to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to share the story behind 007 First Light, which has been a dream project for our whole team," Abrak said in a pre‑event interview.
His remarks highlighted the collaborative spirit that drove the project, noting that the development team worked closely with Bond license‑holder Amazon to ensure authenticity while also pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling. Game Republic’s managing director, Jamie Sefton, echoed the excitement, adding, "Being a massive James Bond fan, it’s a huge honour to welcome Hakan and the IO Interactive crew to our conference. I can’t wait to hear more about how such an iconic character was brought to life by such a talented team." Abrak will join a star‑studded roster of industry veterans at New Horizons. The agenda includes a keynote from legendary PlayStation architect Ken Kutaragi, a business‑focused address by Rebecca Lautner, chief business officer of Landfall, and a forward‑looking panel titled “Hype‑free Assessment of AI in Games.” The AI panel will feature Tommy Thompson (AI and Games), Duyguy Cakmak (Creative Assembly), and Matthias Siemonsmeier (Splash Damage), who will debate the realistic expectations and ethical considerations of artificial intelligence in interactive entertainment.
In addition to the main programming, the conference will host a fireside chat in the Investor Zone with Tencent’s business development director Teddy Keefe, offering insights into cross‑border publishing and market expansion. Another panel, “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment,” will see Nick Button‑Brown (The Game Angels), Tracy McGarrigan (Ansible), and Ian Masters (Flick Games) discuss fundraising strategies for indie developers navigating today’s capital‑intensive landscape. When asked about First Light’s commercial performance, Abrak recently spoke with GamesIndustry.biz, acknowledging that while the title has not yet fully recouped its development costs due to royalty structures and partnership agreements, it has already exceeded the studio’s most optimistic forecasts.
"It’s a massive record for us, and by all measures it’s shaping up to be a huge new success," he said, emphasizing that the game’s momentum continues to build as post‑launch content and community engagement initiatives roll out. The partnership with Amazon, which holds the Bond licensing rights, remains an ongoing conversation. Abrak clarified that current discussions are focused on extending First Light’s lifecycle, including downloadable content, live‑service updates, and potential spin‑offs. "We’ll talk about future plans between Amazon and IO Interactive when the time is right," he added, hinting at possible collaborations that could see the Bond universe explored across multiple gaming genres.
New Horizons 2026 will be hosted at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to 16, drawing developers, publishers, investors, and media from around the globe. The event’s media partner, GameIndustry.biz, will provide extensive coverage, ensuring that insights from sessions like Abrak’s reach a wide audience.
Overall, Abrak’s appearance promises to deliver a deep dive into the artistic vision, technical execution, and business strategy behind 007 First Light. Attendees can expect to walk away with a richer understanding of how a modern Bond game balances fidelity to the iconic spy legacy with innovative gameplay mechanics, and how IO Interactive plans to leverage this success into future titles and platform expansions. The conference also serves as a networking hub where creators can exchange ideas about emerging technologies, funding models, and the evolving expectations of gamers worldwide. With a line‑up that blends veteran leadership and fresh perspectives, Game Republic New Horizons 2026 aims to set the agenda for the next wave of interactive entertainment, and Hakan Abrak’s session on First Light will be a cornerstone of that conversation.