All articles tagged with #io interactive
IO Interactive has regained full ownership of Project Fantasy after Xbox ended its funding deal and will develop the RPG independently while refocusing on internal core titles; the studio is closing its Istanbul studio and initiating staff cuts, with no numbers disclosed, signaling a shift toward a leaner, self-funded path for future projects.
IO Interactive says it will independently fund Project Fantasy after losing its publishing partner, pivoting to focus on its internal core titles while closing its Istanbul studio and laying off staff. The company frames the move as necessary to preserve long-term independence and give Project Fantasy the best chance to succeed under IOI's direction, and it pledges support for affected employees.
IO Interactive is laying off staff after ending an external partnership on its upcoming Project Fantasy, but says the game remains in development and the Bond-inspired 007 First Light franchise will continue; 007 First Light has sold around 3 million copies, while Xbox emphasizes it is rebalancing investments rather than cutting overall game spending as the next Bond project remains undecided.
Microsoft's Xbox has ended its funding and publishing deal for IO Interactive's Project Fantasy, a shift in investment priorities that could lead to redundancies at IO as the studio adapts; IO says the game remains in development and will support affected staff, while Xbox maintains total game investment will stay roughly the same but reallocated to different projects.
IO Interactive’s James Bond game 007 First Light has sold over 3 million copies since its May 26 launch, after moving 2.7 million in its first week. The publisher says the Bond adventure is outperforming expectations, with a Nintendo Switch 2 port planned and extensive post‑launch updates coming, while IOI is expected to remain involved in future Bond titles under Amazon MGM Studios.
A writer who quit gaming 15 years ago finds his enthusiasm reignited after the BAFTA premiere of 007 First Light; impressed by its cinematic visuals and faithful Bond vibe, he buys a PS5 and wonders if contemporary games can deliver a cinema-like experience.
IO Interactive pushes back on the claim that 007: First Light cost $200 million to develop, saying the figure covers bonuses and marketing rather than the production budget; the game has sold over 3 million and is tracking well above internal forecasts, with a Switch 2 edition due this summer and discussions of a potential sequel with Amazon MGM, likely at lower costs than the first game.
IO Interactive says 007 First Light has sold about 2.7 million copies in under two weeks and is “probably” over 3 million, with the budget reported around $200 million being an overestimate once marketing and bonuses are excluded. The company hasn’t fully recouped yet due to royalties and a live-service arrangement, but executives say the game exceeded expectations and they’re exploring future Bond-related work with Amazon beyond year one.
IO Interactive confirms 007 First Light will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in Summer 2026, with a Year One content plan including Tactical Simulator upgrades, a new gadget (Even G2 display smart glasses), Game+, a photo mode, and a new mission featuring MI6 ally Bawma. The game has already sold over 2.7 million copies in its first week (after 1.5 million in the first 24 hours).
IO Interactive announced 007 First Light sold about 2.7 million copies in its first week (nearing 3 million) and reiterated that most Year One content will be free for owners; a New Game+ mode is planned for a future update along with post-launch missions, including an Aleph arc.
HITMAN Classic Trilogy Remastered brings updated visuals, improved performance, and a new Photo Mode to Hitman: Codename 47, Silent Assassin, and Contracts on Xbox Series X|S in 2027, with an option to toggle between the original and enhanced graphics, preserving the trilogy’s stealth-focused gameplay in a single definitive collection.
IO Interactive’s 007: First Light is a polished Bond-origin adventure that fuses Hitman-style stealth with blockbuster action in a self-contained continuity. The standout tutorial, a likable young Bond performance (Patrick Gibson), and gadget-driven infiltration (Q-Watch, Lenses, Bluff) power multiple objective approachesWithin crowded, gadget-enabled sequences. The production values are Hollywood-grade, with 60fps on PS5 Pro and flashy setpieces, and the narrative threads touch on contemporary AI themes in a convincing way. While not as open-ended as Hitman, its tight pacing and variety make for a satisfying, high-quality Bond experience, earning 8.5/10 and signaling strong potential for future installments.
Amazon Game Studios says it's too early to discuss future James Bond video games, but confirms a strong relationship with IO Interactive and that more content is planned for 007 First Light. IO will reveal more about the project soon, and Switch 2 is targeted for Summer 2026, indicating IO's continued role with Amazon handling publishing rights.
IO Interactive may not get to develop the 007 First Light sequel, as Amazon Games and MGM signal future Bond game projects will be produced in-house—likely by MGM and/or Amazon Game Studios. While Amazon’s track record includes cancellations, the company aims to expand Bond IP across TV, movies and games, showing a broader strategy for leveraging the franchise.
IO Interactive will stop self-publishing future James Bond games; MGM and Amazon Game Studios will publish them, leveraging Amazon's acquisition of MGM to own the Bond IP. The move follows First Light's launch, which sold 1.5 million copies in 24 hours, and fits Amazon's broader cross-media strategy for Bond across games and Prime Video.