Amazon Grabs the Reins on 007's Gaming Future After First Light

The end of IO Interactive's self-publishing model

IO Interactive developed and self-published 007 First Light, which launched on May 27, 2026, to strong early sales — an estimated 1.5 million copies on day one . The game was a critical moment for the Danish studio, known for the Hitman series, marking its ambitious entry into a licensed mega-franchise.

But the developer's unique position was always built on timing. IO Interactive secured the rights to make a James Bond game before Amazon gained full control of the IP in February 2025 . That original deal allowed the studio to act as both developer and publisher, retaining full control over 007 First Light.

That window has now closed. Amazon controls publishing rights for all future Bond games, meaning any sequel or follow-up will be shepherded by MGM and Amazon Game Studios, not IO Interactive .

Unanswered questions about the developer's future

The most crucial question remains unanswered: will IO Interactive even be the developer of the next Bond game?

Amazon has been strategically non-committal. Gattis did not confirm or deny IO's continued involvement in the Polygon interview . The general manager's comments leave the door open to several possibilities: Amazon could retain IO as a work-for-hire developer, hand the franchise to a first-party Amazon studio, or open it to competitive bidding.

Amazon's broader strategy offers a clue. The company plans to connect Bond games directly with its film and television ambitions on Prime Video, mirroring its transmedia approach with the Tomb Raider franchise . That kind of tightly integrated universe is easier to manage with an internal team or a studio under direct publishing control.

The bottom line is clear: IO Interactive shipped 007 First Light as both developer and publisher, but Amazon has already reclaimed publishing power. Whether the studio that reimagined Bond's origin story gets to write the next chapter is entirely Amazon's call — and one it hasn't made yet.