Get ready to step into the shoes of James Bond.
Amazon MGM Studios and independent video game developer IO Interactive have officially launched “007 First Flight,” a new game that reimagines James Bond’s origin story as the 26-year-old fights his way through MI6’s elite training program. This is the first James Bond game in 15 years.
An official description of the game reads: “For the first time in video games, fans will be able to experience Bond’s ascent at MI6 from a recruit into a fully-fledged spy, as his sharp instincts, resourcefulness, and heroism propel him through the ranks and into the world of high-stakes covert operations.”
The game also features an original theme by Lana Del Rey and David Arnold, who scored five of the James Bond films. The voice cast is rounded out by Gemma Chan, Lenny Kravitz, Patrick Gibson, Priyanga Burford and Alastair McKenzie.
“With 007 First Light, we set out to honor the incredible legacy of 007 while creating a Bond gaming experience like no other,” IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak said in a statement. “This is a Bond still finding his footing, one players can grow with on his journey shaped by instincts, intelligence, and the resolve that ultimately built the character’s lasting impact.”
The game is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and for PC on Steam and Epic Games Store, with a Nintendo Switch 2 release set for Summer 2026.
Watch the launch trailer below.
See more gaming news from this week in the roundup below.
GAME UPDATES/DLC
“Disney Dreamlight Valley’s” next free update, “A Hero’s Journey,” will bring players characters from Disney’s “Hercules.” The update will launch on all platforms on June 3.
The update will bring both Hercules and his mentor, Phil, from Disney’s 1997 animated take on the classic Greek mythology tale to “Disney Dreamlight Valley.”
“With the help of the wise satyr Phil, you will be able to travel through a new Realm door and discover a training island shrouded in darkness,” reads the update’s description. “There you must complete heroic trials to restore its light and prove yourself worthy of becoming a true hero. Along the way, you will also meet Hercules, the legendary hero, and join forces with him to overcome the mysterious force threatening the island. Be prepared to help bring light back once again!”
Previous expansions of “Disney Dreamlight Valley” have included characters from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Aladdin,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Tangled,” “Brave” and “Sleeping Beauty.” Also from “Hercules,” Hades was made available in the game in 2024.
LIVE EVENTS
As “Sonic the Hedgehog” celebrates its 35-year anniversary, the music from the iconic game is coming to a theater near you for Sonic Live in Concert, Senbla and SEGA announced. The concerts will kick off in the U.S. at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on September 26 before premiering in Europe at London’s Eventim Apollo on September 30.
The concert experience will bring the most iconic music moments of the video game to the stage, performed by a live ensemble, rock musicians, vocalists and electronic elements. “Sonic has some of the most distinct and celebrated music in gaming,” said Ollie Rosenblatt, CEO of Senbla, in a statement. “We wanted to create a live show that stays true to what the fans love about Sonic’s music, from the electronic and melodic themes to high-energy rock.”
The tour will visit more than 30 cities nationwide, with a U.K. tour to follow in February 2027. Tickets will go on sale May 29, with pre-sale tickets going on sale on May 28.
For more information, tour dates and ticket information, visit the concert’s site here.
SALES
Within its first 24 hours of release, James Bond game “007 First Light” has sold 1.5 million units, making it IO Interactive’s fastest-selling title ever.
The release is notable as the first James Bond video game in 15 years. Players are invited to step into the shoes of a 26-year-old Bond as he goes through MI6’s elite training program. The voice cast includes Gemma Chan, Lenny Kravitz, Patrick Gibson, Priyanga Burford and Alastair McKenzie. Gibson, known for his roles in “The OA” and “Dexter: Original Sin,” takes over the Bond role.
The game currently holds an 88 OpenCritic rating and 87 Metacritic score. It is available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and for PC on Steam and Epic Games Store.
Other IO Interactive titles include the “Hitman” series, “Freedom Fighters” and “Mini Ninjas.”
LEGAL
Nearly 150 lawsuits have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation in California federal court, with families alleging Roblox failed to protect children from predators and deceptive safety risks adequately.
The lawsuits claim Roblox prioritized user growth and engagement over safeguards such as age verification, moderation and parental controls. Several state attorneys general, including Oklahoma, Indiana and Nebraska, have also filed lawsuits accusing the platform of misleading parents about child safety.
Some lawsuits claim that predators would initiate contact with children through Roblox, often posing as minors themselves, before convincing victims to continue communication outside of the platform through methods such as texting, Instagram, Snapchat or Discord, the last of which has also been named as a defendant in some Roblox lawsuits for prioritizing growth over child safety.
“Roblox provides predators with easy access to tens of millions of children and allows these predators to freely move between inappropriate content and popular games to identify and target vulnerable young users,” some lawsuit filings claim.
*
DATA
The organizers of GDC Festival of Gaming have released the second annual GDC Trends Report, which provides key insights on emerging trends and themes in the game development community drawn from GDC sessions, panels and activations.
The themes discussed include studios embracing co-development to help make games that require more staff and resources; casual and hybrid-casual games shifting their focus to retention over new user acquisition; whether AI-driven assistive tools should be implemented in the development process; shifting advocacy policies; and game publishing & financing.
For the full report, click here.
Leave a Reply