IO Interactive Delays 007: First Light to May 2026
The studio says the Bond game is already playable end-to-end, with the extra two months focused on polish rather than fixing major issues.
IO Interactive has officially pushed back the release of its upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light, by two months. While delays are never what fans hope for, this one actually sounds like a healthy move. The game was originally scheduled to launch on March 27, 2026, but will now arrive on May 27, 2026, a date that longtime gamers may recognize as the same day GTA 6 was once supposed to release before Rockstar’s own delay reshuffled the calendar.
According to the Danish studio, the game is already fully playable from beginning to end. The extra time isn’t about fixing something broken, but about making sure the final product lands at the level of polish a James Bond game demands.
In a statement shared on social media, IO explained that the additional two months will allow the team to further refine the experience and deliver the strongest possible version of the game at launch. It’s the kind of language that suggests they’re deep in the final stretch: tightening performance, cleaning up bugs, smoothing animations, and sharpening mission flow.
An important update regarding the release date of 007 First Light. pic.twitter.com/DLej5bLxun
— 007 First Light (@007GameIOI) December 23, 2025
007: First Light was first shown publicly during PlayStation State of Play in September 2025 and immediately stood out as one of the showcase’s most anticipated reveals. Unlike most Bond adaptations, the game focuses on a younger, less experienced 007, still finding his footing in MI6. Actor Patrick Gibson, fresh off Dexter: Original Sin, takes on the role of Bond, supported by a strong cast that includes Lennie James as Greenway, Priyanga Burford as M, Alastair Mackenzie as Q, Kiera Lester as Moneypenny, and Noémie Nakai as Ms. Roth.
Pre-orders are already live, with the standard edition priced at $69.99. Anyone who pre-orders ahead of launch is automatically upgraded to the deluxe edition, which includes cosmetic bonuses and 24-hour early digital access. For collectors, IO is also offering a premium $299.99 edition that leans hard into classic Bond flair, featuring the base game, deluxe content, a Golden Gun figurine, certificate of authenticity, magnetic steelbook case, Golden Gun weapon skin, and an Obsidian Gold suit.
Given IO Interactive’s track record with the Hitman series, expectations for First Light are extremely high. This is the studio’s first original take on Bond, and it carries the weight of being the franchise’s biggest gaming return in years.
The takeaway
This delay feels less like a setback and more like a vote of confidence. The game isn’t being rescued, it’s being perfected. With Bond’s reputation, fan expectations, and the studio’s own legacy on the line, those extra two months could be the difference between a good spy thriller and a truly unforgettable one. If 007: First Light arrives in May as sharp, smooth, and cinematic as IO clearly wants it to be, most fans will agree the wait was worth it.
Emmanuel Umahi
