Young James Bond Misses March Window

IO Interactive Pushes 007 First Light to May

For fans eagerly awaiting to enter the world of James Bond in his early years, there is some bad news. IO Interactive has confirmed that 007 First Light will no longer meet its previously announced March 2026 release window. The studio, best known for its work on the modern Hitman trilogy, is now targeting a slightly later launch as it continues work on its ambitious reimagining of James Bond’s early years.

IO Interactive announced the delay through the game’s official social media channels, confirming that 007 First Light has been pushed back by approximately two months to May 27, 2026. The studio explained that the additional time is required to ensure the game meets its internal quality standards at launch.

Crucially, IO Interactive also revealed that development is already feature-complete, with the game fully playable from beginning to end. The remaining development window will focus entirely on polishing, performance optimisation, and refinement rather than structural or content changes.

Quality-First Approach Shapes the New Timeline

For the studio, this decision reflects a broader commitment to long-term success rather than a rushed release. The studio stressed that the short delay will allow the team to deliver a more stable and refined experience on day one, particularly given the scale and expectations attached to the James Bond licence.

IO Interactive thanked fans for their patience and support, noting that anticipation for the project has remained strong throughout development.

The anticipation was clear at The Game Awards, where 007 First Light was nominated in the Most Anticipated Game category, sharing the spotlight with major releases such as GTA VI and Marvel’s Wolverine. There was also the confirmation that singer Lenny Kravitz would indeed be part of the game as villain Bawma.

With the revised schedule in place, 007 First Light is now set to launch on May 27, 2026. The game will release simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.