After 007 First Light, Amazon Evaluates a Possible Sequel: Will IO Interactive Be Involved?
The release of 007 First Light has brought James Bond back into the spotlight of the video game industry. The title, developed by IO Interactive, a studio known primarily for the Hitman series, received positive reviews from critics and, according to recent estimates, has also achieved good commercial results.
However, the success of the project has sparked interest in the future of the franchise. Weighing in on the topic is Jeff Gattis, general manager of Amazon Gaming, who explained how the current situation is linked to the ways Amazon came to hold the rights to the James Bond universe.
During an interview with Polygon, Gattis clarified that Amazon did not directly develop 007 First Light. In fact, when the project was initiated, the agreement between the brand holders and IO Interactive had already been established. Only later did Amazon acquire MGM, including the intellectual properties related to the British secret agent.
What will be the future of 007 First Light and its potential sequel? The executive's statements hinted that future video games based on James Bond could be managed more directly by Amazon. This perspective fits into a broader strategy aiming to create links between video games, television series, and film productions.
The company is already working on several projects for Prime Video based on very popular brands in the gaming world. Among the examples cited are God of War and Tomb Raider, franchises that Amazon intends to develop across multiple forms of entertainment. The goal is to enhance its intellectual properties across different platforms and create a shared ecosystem between games and audiovisual content. Gattis's words have generated some concern among fans.
On one hand, there is the reputation built by IO Interactive thanks to the work done on 007 First Light; on the other, Amazon's gaming division has not always convinced the public with its results so far. For this reason, Amazon subsequently released an official note to clarify the situation. The company emphasized that it has a very positive relationship with the Danish studio and is satisfied with the work done together. Furthermore, it stated that it is still premature to discuss potential new video games dedicated to James Bond and that IO Interactive's future involvement is by no means ruled out.