007 First Light

What this countdown tracks

Days until IO Interactive ships 007 First Light, the first major James Bond video game in over a decade, on May 27, 2026. The Hitman developer's original-narrative origin story arrives on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a Switch 2 version following later in 2026.

Why this release matters

The James Bond video-game licence has been dormant for the major-AAA console market since Activision's GoldenEye 007: Reloaded in 2011 and the licensed first-person shooters of the late-2000s. IO Interactive – the Danish studio behind the Hitman trilogy, which has sold more than 75 million units across its various entries since 2000 – secured the license in 2020 and has spent five years developing an original-narrative Bond origin story rather than adapting any specific film or novel. The game draws from Ian Fleming's source novels and the broader film franchise's iconography but uses an entirely new actor likeness and storyline. For IO, this is a transformative release: 007 First Light effectively positions the studio as the de-facto custodian of the Bond brand in interactive media, with a planned trilogy according to past company statements. Lana Del Rey performing the title song lifts the project's mainstream visibility outside core gaming press, mirroring the cinematic-event marketing language Bond films have always used.

IO Interactive has also publicly stated that 007 First Light is the start of a planned multi-game arc rather than a standalone release, mirroring the studio's three-game World of Assassination arc for Hitman. That long-term commitment is one of the more significant investments any single studio has made in the Bond IP since EA's mid-2000s licensing era.

What we know so far

PlayStation and IO Interactive announced 007 First Light with a May 27, 2026 release date for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a Switch 2 version following later in the year. The game is a third-person stealth-action title rather than a first-person shooter – a departure from the GoldenEye era – and centres on a younger Bond earning his 00 status. Lana Del Rey will perform the title song, marking her first contribution to a major video-game soundtrack and signalling the kind of cultural-positioning marketing typically reserved for Bond film releases. The protagonist's likeness and voice cast have been partly revealed; full story details, mission structure, and supporting cast remain under wraps. Pricing is expected to follow standard $69.99 console RRP. Preorders are open at most retailers as of early 2026.

Release details

• Release date: May 27, 2026
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC; Switch 2 later in 2026
• Price: expected $69.99
• Studio: IO Interactive (Copenhagen)
• Regional variations: simultaneous worldwide release

What to watch for leading up to release

• An extended gameplay deep-dive showcasing stealth, gadget, and dialogue mechanics
• Lana Del Rey title-song reveal and music video
• Mission and locale breakdown trailers
• Preorder edition tier reveals and Collector's Edition contents
• Review embargo lift, traditionally one week before launch
• Switch 2 release date confirmation
• Soundtrack and composer announcements

Related releases to track

For other 2026 narrative-action releases worth tracking, see ghost-of-yotei-siege-of-edo-2026 in October and marvels-wolverine-2026 in September. The May 2026 cinematic window also features the-mandalorian-and-grogu-2026 in theatres, putting 007 First Light into a heavy spy-action and franchise-tentpole month.

FAQ

When does 007 First Light release? May 27, 2026 – confirmed by IO Interactive and PlayStation. What platforms is it on? PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC at launch; Switch 2 version follows later in 2026. How much will 007 First Light cost? Pricing not formally announced; expected at the $69.99 standard tier. Can I preorder 007 First Light? Yes – preorders are open at most major retailers. Who makes 007 First Light? IO Interactive, the Danish developer of the Hitman series.