007: First Light Has Satisfying Shooting Since it Isn’t a Failure State Like Hitman – IO Interactive

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IO Interactive, the team behind *Hitman World of Assassination*, isn’t primarily focused on realistic gunfights. Instead, they want players to *enjoy* using guns in their new James Bond game, *007: First Light*. According to gameplay director Andreas Krogh in an interview with PCGamer (reported by GamesRadar), the game will make action feel more satisfying.

In the *Hitman* games, IO Interactive generally considers combat a sign that players haven’t succeeded, as the focus is on stealth. However, with *007: First Light*, the developers want players to feel comfortable using guns when they want to. It’s being designed so that engaging in combat is a valid way to play, rather than something to avoid.

According to designer Jonas Krogh, in the original *Hitman* games, players generally avoided using guns and other ranged weapons because it was difficult. With the new game, they’ve created a character that makes ranged combat a practical and effective strategy.

IO Interactive’s *007: First Light* aims to give players flexibility – they can choose to play stealthily, or go into action with guns blazing. The developers want both approaches to feel equally rewarding, offering a unique gameplay experience where players aren’t limited to one style.

We focused on building a system that was not only technically sound but also felt smooth and reacted quickly to player input,” said Krogh. “Our goal was to ensure that even if stealth attempts failed, players could adapt and still enjoy a rewarding, action-packed experience.

Earlier this month, Dominic Vega, the audio and missions director for the game, shared that players won’t immediately hear the famous James Bond theme song when they start playing *007: First Light*. Instead, players will unlock the theme song as they progress through the game, similar to how Bond earns his 007 codename.

Vega observed that the new Bond is developing throughout the film, proving himself worthy of the 007 title and the established motifs. She pointed out that with six decades of Bond films, there’s a rich history of recognizable sounds and musical themes to build upon.

Vega discussed collaborating with Joe Henson and Alexis Smith, known as The Flight, on the music for *007: First Light*. He praised them as a talented composing team with a strong track record. According to Vega, they perfectly balanced the classic orchestral sound Bond is known for with a modern style that he believes players will enjoy and see as a positive new direction for the *007* franchise.

The game *007: First Light* will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on March 27, 2026. We’ve gathered 10 key details about the game, and you can also learn about how IO Interactive originally proposed the game to secure the rights to create a James Bond video game.

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2025-09-18 18:42