Amazon Game Studios Takes Over Future 007 Game Publishing, Not IO Interactive

June 4, 2026 - 14:14

The future of James Bond video games has taken a new turn. While IO Interactive was previously set to self-publish its upcoming Bond title, "007 First Light," the broader publishing rights for all future 007 games will now fall under Amazon Game Studios. This shift comes after Amazon acquired the intellectual property rights to the James Bond franchise, a move that reshuffles the deck for one of gaming's most anticipated projects.

IO Interactive, the studio behind the Hitman series, had already secured a deal to self-publish "007 First Light" before Amazon's acquisition of the Bond IP. That arrangement remains in place for that specific game. However, for any subsequent 007 titles, Amazon Game Studios will handle publishing duties "theoretically," as described by industry insiders. This means IO Interactive will continue developing the game, but Amazon will control its release and distribution.

The distinction is important. IO Interactive retains creative control over "First Light," but Amazon's ownership of the Bond brand gives it the final say on how the character is used in gaming going forward. For fans, this raises questions about whether future Bond games will tie into Amazon's broader entertainment ecosystem, including potential streaming or film projects. For now, IO Interactive remains focused on delivering its stealth-action take on 007, with Amazon acting as the publisher for anything beyond that first outing.