IO Interactive Reveals How They're Fixing James Bond Games | 007 First Light

About this episode

The episode features an interview with IO Interactive's team discussing the new James Bond game, 007 First Light, and its unique gameplay mechanics.

At Summer Game Fest 2026, I sat down with IO Interactive's Matias (Principal Level Designer) and Hilde Sunde (Lead Environment Artist) to break down 007 First Light — the new James Bond game from the studio behind Hitman.We get into how IOI reimagined Bond for a new era, why First Light plays nothing like Hitman, the ammo-scarce combat that forces you to keep moving, the eavesdrop spy mechanic, and the wildly contrasting worlds — from a luxury Vietnam resort to the rough Mauritania desert. Plus dream Bond locations and the team's favorite 007 films. (Sorry, Pierce.)

People in this episode

Host: Kahlief Adams

Guests: Matias, Hilde Sunde

Topics covered

• James Bond games
• game design
• IO Interactive
• 007 First Light
• video game mechanics
• Summer Game Fest

Keywords

• James Bond
• IO Interactive
• 007 First Light
• game design
• video games
• Summer Game Fest
• Hitman
• combat mechanics
• spy mechanics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IO Interactive

Books & works: 007 First Light, Hitman

Places: Vietnam, Mauritania

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