Here are some new details about IO Interactive‘s 007: First Light, including James Bond’s age, his early days as a spy, book inspiration, other iconic characters, and more.
IO Interactive’s upcoming game, 007 First Light, is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about titles in the action-adventure space. The studio behind the Hitman series dropped an eye-catching trailer earlier this week, and it’s been all over social media ever since.
Fans are already excited about seeing James Bond return after more than a decade away from the spotlight. Now, thanks to a new interview with the game’s director, we have even more information about what’s in store for fans of the world’s most famous spy.
Stephen Totilo of Game File sat down with Jonathan Lacaille, the franchise director leading the charge at IO Interactive, to talk about 007: First Light.
007 First Light: New Details, Bond’s Early Years, and Classic Characters
During the interview, Lacaille explained that 007 First Light is all about exploring Bond’s early days. When asked about Bond’s age, Lacaille confirmed that he is a 26-year-old who’s fresh out of the air force and hasn’t yet earned his iconic double-0 status. This means players will experience a side of James Bond rarely seen.
Lacaille pointed out that the team wanted to make Bond relatable to today’s audience. “The gaming audience is younger than the moviegoer audience, so we thought an origin story would connect better,” he said. Instead of drawing from the movie versions, IO Interactive is going straight to Ian Fleming’s original novels for inspiration. That means even small details, like the scar on Bond’s cheek, are pulled from the books.
For long-time Bond fans, classic characters like M, Q, and Moneypenny are making a comeback, but not exactly as you remember them. The game aims to show these iconic figures as they might have looked at the start of Bond’s career, introducing them in ways that help shape the young agent’s journey.
“We need to introduce old characters to a new audience, so M, Q, Moneypenny, we can’t assume that all the players know them,” Lacaille added. “So we took a nice twist on them, thinking about…what these people looked when they shaped Bond. Because he’s not the same character that we know in the movies. He’s discovering his charm, and things like that.”
One of the more interesting things Lacaille touched on is how the story will explore what it really means to be “licensed to kill.” He hinted that there will be gameplay mechanics tied to this idea, but didn’t reveal specifics just yet.
Another point worth noting: IO Interactive doesn’t want a drawn-out marketing campaign. Its plan is to keep the timeline short, show the game, and then release it not too long after. The developer is keeping the cast and more in-depth gameplay details under wraps for now.
Are you excited about seeing a younger, book-inspired Bond in action? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
