007 First Light Coming to Summer Games Fest.

James Bond video games are a significant part of gaming history, not just licensed games. GoldenEye 007 is one of the most influential games ever made, demonstrating that first-person shooters could be effective on home consoles rather than relying on the traditional PC keyboard and mouse controls of Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, and Quake. James Bond games were coming out regularly throughout the late 1990s to the late 2000s. Everything or Nothing is a perfect example of how you make a linear-style third-person shooter work as a James Bond game. However, by 2012, 007 Legends had become a commercial and critical failure, and 007 had largely disappeared from the video game scene. For 13 years, no video game has featured Agent 007 as the star of the show. However, all of that is about to change with 007 First Light, the brand-new game by IO Interactive.

Previously known as Project 007, IO Interactive first announced 007 First Light back in November 2020. The initial reveal trailer featured the iconic James Bond theme and revealed that IO Interactive is developing a James Bond game. No further official news has come about the game in over four years. However, IO Interactive announced this week that their game, officially titled 007 First Light, will be revealed on June 6th.

This announcement coincides with Summer Games Fest, the closest thing the gaming industry will ever know to E3 in the modern age. Rumours have been circulating about what major studios and companies will reveal at the event. IO Interactive has provided a brief teaser regarding the content of the upcoming 007 First Light.

On the official 007 First Light Twitter page, IO Interactive made an announcement post featuring a silhouette of James Bond holding his trusty Walther PPK. The post features #EarnTheNumber, leading many people to deduce that this game will be an origin story of the legendary spy and the tale of his transformation into Agent 007. IO Interactive is also shifting away from films and novels and will be telling its iteration of a James Bond story. I am a huge fan of this choice. The general public will always associate Bond with his films, most of all, and the public's idea of James Bond's character is deeply rooted in the movies. The fact that IO Interactive has elected to do something different and tell its own story is a huge testament to its dedication to an already beloved IP.

We also know that 007 First Light will utilise IO Interactive's in-house Glacier Engine, the same engine used for Hitman 3. This news is not necessarily surprising, but it's still great to hear, given the capabilities and detailing possible with it, especially for next-gen. IO Interactive is pulling out all the stops to deliver the best James Bond experience with 007 First Light.

Some rumours say that 007 First Light could launch a brand-new trilogy of games for IO Interactive. I would take these rumours with a grain of salt; 007 First Light is not out yet, nor have we seen any footage or gameplay. There is considerable potential to create a trilogy, especially with a character like James Bond. However, IO Interactive still needs to prove that it can effectively adapt and reimagine the James Bond franchise.

I look forward to hearing more from IO Interactive about 007 First Light.

IO Interactive will reveal 007 First Light on June 6th during Summer Games Fest.