Key Highlights:
- 007 First Light has sold nearly 3 million copies since launch.
- IO Interactive says most of the game’s Year One content will be free.
- The studio has pushed back on reports claiming the game cost $200 million to develop.
IO Interactive’s James Bond adventure 007 First Light is continuing its strong launch, with the studio revealing that the game sold 2.7 million copies during its first week and has since climbed to almost 3 million units sold worldwide.
Studio director and CEO Hakan Abrak shared the figures during presentations following Summer Game Fest 2026, describing the game as a major success that is already performing above internal expectations.
The sales milestone follows an impressive launch period for the Hitman developer, with 007 First Light having already surpassed 1.5 million copies within its first 24 hours on sale.
Alongside the latest figures, IO Interactive also confirmed that most of the game’s Year One content will be available free of charge. Players who already own the game will be able to access new missions and experiences without purchasing a separate season pass.
One of those additions was revealed during Summer Game Fest, with Bond set to return to Aleph in a new mission involving Bawma, the character played by Lenny Kravitz.
New Game+ is also in development and will be released as part of a future update.
IO Interactive shared some interesting player statistics as well. More than 34 million missions have been started since launch, although only around 30 percent have been completed successfully.
Players have used the Bluff social skill over 10 million times, while wine bottles have emerged as the community’s favourite improvised weapon, accounting for 36 percent of all thrown objects.
IO Responds to $200 Million Budget Claims
Abrak also addressed reports suggesting that 007 First Light cost $200 million to produce.
According to the executive, the figure covers much more than development expenses. Marketing costs and future staff bonuses are included in that total, meaning the game itself did not require a $200 million development budget.
He did, however, acknowledge that First Light is the most expensive entertainment project ever produced in Denmark.
Despite the large investment, Abrak said he is confident the game will generate a profit and stated that it is tracking well above the studio’s forecasts.
“By all measures it’s freaking successful.”
What Comes Next for Bond?
IO Interactive has no plans to slow down support for 007 First Light. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is due to launch later this summer, while further post-launch content is already planned.
Questions have naturally turned towards a possible sequel, especially after Amazon’s acquisition of MGM changed the landscape surrounding the James Bond licence.
Although Amazon is expected to publish any follow-up title, Abrak suggested more information regarding the relationship between IO Interactive and Amazon will be shared in the future.
Interestingly, the executive believes sequels do not necessarily need bigger budgets. Pointing to the Hitman trilogy, Abrak explained that each entry became cheaper and quicker to develop thanks to smarter use of technology and assets.
In my opinion, that approach could work particularly well for Bond. If IO Interactive can build on the systems and foundation established in First Light, a sequel could arrive faster while still delivering the cinematic espionage fans expect.
For now, however, the studio’s focus remains on supporting 007 First Light, which is quickly becoming one of the biggest successes in IO Interactive’s history.
Source – IGN