The Next James Bond Game Is a New 007 Origin Story With a Fast-Approaching Release Date
It has been 14 years since there has been a new video game based on the action adventure world of agent 007, James Bond. Hard to to believe, but true. The last time there was a new
Bond game, 007 Legends, the 2012 film Skyfall was still pretty new. So, not only have there been two major Bond movies since the last game, but also plenty of Bond book reboots, too. And now, in just a few short months, all of that will change with the release of 007 First Light, a new immersive game from IO Interactive.
But what's the deal with First Light? What kind of game is this? Will it touch on existing James Bond lore? Is there a new Bond actor in it? How does it fit in with the upcoming plans for the new movie? What's it about? And, when and how can you play First Light? Here's everything we've got on the new James Bond game, 007 First Light, including the plot, the rapidly-approaching release date and more.
What is 007 First Light?
007 First Light is an adventure game from IO Interactive, a developer best know for creating the popular Hitman games. Like those games, 007 First Light will combine action, shooting, and mystery in a game focused on story. Though its from a different developer, the 2024 game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is probably a good touchpoint for the actual gameplay; 007 First Light will immerse you in a James Bond-style mystery, complete with action that involves fighting, driving various vehicles, and more.
What is the plot of 007 First Light?
As the title suggests, 007 First Light is about a younger version of Bond (Patrick Gibson) who is getting his very first mission. Set in the modern day in which the Double O program is getting revived, Bond is part of a new group of recruits to work for MI6. On February 12, 2026, the cinematic trailer for the game confirmed that Bond's mission in this story will be connected to tracking down 009, a former agent who has gone rogue. (This detail recalls the plots of both GoldenEyeand Skyfall, in which a former agent becomes the Bond villain.)
The trailers for the game combine a variety of elements we all know and love from the Bond franchise: Fast cars, lots of explosion, sneaking around, and hints at romance. There's a decidedly strong Casino Royale vibe throughout, complete with Bond's boss M (Priyanga Burford) saying that agents have a "short life expectancy," which in a video game setting carries a different meaning than in a movie; players will certainly die over and over again before completing the mission.
Who is playing James Bond in 007 First Light?
IO Interactive/Amazon MGM
As mentioned, actor Patrick Gibson (sometimes known as Paddy Gibson) is playing James Bond in First Light. Like fellow Bond Pierce Brosnan, he's Irish. He's also fairly young: 30 at the time the game was developed, and he'll turn 31 in April 2026. This makes him close in age both Sean Connery and George Lazenby when those two men first became Bond in Dr. No (1962) and On Her Majesty's Secret Service(1969), respectively.
Gibson has an impressive resume, but at this point, he's probably most famous for having starred in Dexter: Original Sin. As of this writing, Gibson is not expected to play James Bond in the upcoming new James Bond film directed by Denis Villeneuve written by Steven Knight. Though, because that movie won't hit theaters until 2027 at the earliest, Gibson will be the incumbent James Bond for at least a year. It's also worth noting that in the game, Gibson's Bond will have a scar on one side of his face, detail that comes from Ian Fleming's original novels, and has never been incorporated into a live-action version of Bond until now.
Who else is in the cast of 007 First Light?
I
The cast of 007 First Light is actually quite stacked. Here's who's playing who, including various takes on classic Bond characters.
- Priyanga Burford as M, Bond's boss.
- Alastair Mackenzie as Q, the gadget master of MI6.
- Kiera Lester as Miss Moneypenny, famous MI6 agent and administrator.
- Lennie James as John Greenway, a new character who is Bond's mentor.
- Noémie Nakai as Charlotte Roth, a DGSE agent who teams-up with Bond.
- Gemma Chan as Selina Tan.
- Lenny Kravitz as Bawma, a pirate king and arms dealer.
007 First Light Release Date and Game Platforms
007 First Light is set for a release date of May 27, 2026. You will be able to play the game on the following platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox ROG Ally X, Xbox ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch 2*, and PC.
Interestingly, this is right after the publication of the next James Bond novel, Kim Sherwood's Hurricane Room, which publishes on May 19, 2026, and will see the return of Bond in a different continuity, after he had been presumed dead.