TL;DR
IO Interactive has delayed its James Bond origin-game 007 First Light by two months; the title will now arrive May 27, 2026. The studio says the game is playable from start to finish and the extra time will be used to polish and refine the experience.
What happened
IO Interactive announced a two-month delay for 007 First Light, moving the game’s release to May 27, 2026. The studio described the project as its most ambitious to date and said the team remains focused on delivering a full James Bond experience that includes action set pieces, international locations, spycraft, gadgets and car chases. IO Interactive — the independent developer and publisher behind the Hitman series — said the build is currently fully playable from beginning to end. Rather than rushing, the team intends to use the additional weeks to further polish and refine gameplay and presentation so the title meets the studio’s quality standards at launch. IO Interactive thanked fans for their patience and indicated it will share more updates about the game in early 2026. The project has previously been showcased with a trailer in June and a gameplay deep dive in September, and the cast includes Lenny Kravitz and Gemma Chan.
Why it matters
- A two-month postponement signals the studio prioritizing polish over meeting a preset release window, which can affect player expectations and media coverage.
- As an independent developer and publisher, IO Interactive’s schedule choices reflect internal resources and priorities rather than external publisher timelines.
- The game’s state as "fully playable" suggests the core design is in place, so the delay is oriented toward refinement rather than core development.
- High-profile casting and prior showcase events mean the title will be watched closely for how its narrative and production values land at launch.
Key facts
- New release date: May 27, 2026.
- Delay length: two months, announced December 23, 2025.
- Developer and publisher: IO Interactive, known for the Hitman franchise.
- Studio describes 007 First Light as an origin story with action, globe-trotting, spycraft, gadgets and car chases.
- IO Interactive states the game is fully playable from beginning to end and additional time will be used for polishing and refinement.
- The developer plans to provide further updates in early 2026.
- IO Interactive released a first trailer in June and a gameplay deep dive in September.
- Actors Lenny Kravitz and Gemma Chan are reported to appear in the game.
What to watch next
- IO Interactive’s planned updates in early 2026 (confirmed in the source).
- Whether the extra development time materially changes performance and presentation at launch (not confirmed in the source).
- Platform availability, editions, pricing and pre-order details (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Origin story: A narrative that explains the early life and formative events of a character, showing how they became who they are later.
- Polish (game development): The process of refining visuals, performance, user interface, and gameplay tweaks to improve the overall player experience before release.
- Playable build: A version of a game that can be played from start to finish, used for testing, demonstrations, or evaluation of progress.
- Gameplay deep dive: A detailed presentation or preview that explains game mechanics, systems, and design choices to give players a closer look at how a game plays.
Reader FAQ
Why did IO Interactive delay 007 First Light?
The studio said it needs two additional months to polish and refine the game so it meets the desired quality at launch.
When will 007 First Light now release?
May 27, 2026.
Is the game finished?
IO Interactive says the game is fully playable from beginning to end, but additional work will be done to polish the experience.
Which platforms will the game release on?
not confirmed in the source
Who appears in the cast?
Actors Lenny Kravitz and Gemma Chan are reported to star in the game.
NEWS ENTERTAINMENT GAMING 007 First Light’s release date gets shaken up The new James Bond game is getting a two-month delay. by Jay Peters Dec 23, 2025, 6:39 PM UTC…
Sources
- 007 First Light’s release date gets shaken up
- IOI Delays James Bond Video Game '007: First Light' …
- IO Interactive's '007 First Light' Hit By Two Month Delay
- 007 First Light, IO Interactive's James Bond game, is …
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