Sony and developer IO Interactive just brought the 007 First Light State of Play to a close after showing off more than 30 minutes of gameplay for its new James Bond video game.
It was a presentation that mostly went as expected, as IO used the September 2025 State of Play as an opportunity to highlight the early days of James Bond’s time with MI6. Fast-paced car chases, explosive shootouts, and creative gadgets landed among the highlights from the presentation, but it was IO’s promise of a March 27, 2026, release date for 007 First Light that truly stole the show. Plus, we finally received confirmation that Dexter: Original Sin star Patrick Gibson is, in fact, the actor chosen to play James Bond in the new video game.
IO originally promised just 30 minutes of 007 First Light gameplay but still made sure to stretch its State of Play slot with more details from its next big project. You can read up on everything announced during today’s presentation below.
007 First Light Takes Aim With March 2026 Release Date
007 First Light, IO Interactive’s upcoming James Bond game, is set to release March 27, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. https://t.co/vwCLNHI70v pic.twitter.com/AjmnsXOoih
— IGN (@IGN) September 3, 2025
IO capped off its State of Play presentation with a 007 First Light release date of March 27, 2026. It’s an update to the previously announced 2026 window that puts the new 007 video game out in a little more than six months. Eager fans can pick it up on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox when its release date arrives.
Patrick Gibson Confirms He Is Playing James Bond in 007 First Light
After much speculation from fans, Dexter: Original Sin actor Patrick Gibson has finally confirmed that he is playing James Bond in IO’s 007 First Light. The star of the next James Bond video game made a surprise appearance during today’s State of Play to confirm his role while also sharing details about some of the other faces fans will run into. This includes the news that Lennie James is playing Greenway, Priyanga Burford is playing M, Alastair Mackenzie is playing Q, Kiera Lester is playing Moneypenny, and Noémie Nakai is playing Ms. Roth.
James Bond Will Have to Be Resourceful if He Wants to Catch 009
007 First Light is made by the team behind the Hitman series, and that was made very clear during today’s State of Play. While tailing a suspicious bellhop, James Bond can be seen using his surroundings to sneak past security.
It means players will find themselves climbing up and around buildings, sneaking through flowers, distracting guards with small fires, and more in order to succeed in their mission. Gadgets, including a smoke device and a high-tech watch scanner, can also provide aid during missions, with IO encouraging players to try everything from classic stealth to James Bond’s silver tongue when navigating tricky areas.
Getting Behind the Wheel as 007
James Bond is no stranger to a blood-pumping car chase. During today’s State of Play, IO revealed a closer look at how it is aiming to bring some of the franchise’s thrilling vehicle action to 007 First Light. The car chase segment shows that players can control the MI6 recruit to dodge obstacles and launch into cinematic stunts when pursuing a target.
A License to Kill
IO’s Hitman series is known for allowing players to get creative with their kills, but James Bond isn’t always so subtle. While 007’s iconic gadgets can come in handy during stealth sections, players may be granted a license to kill when the jig is up.
Sections highlighted during the September 2025 State of Play bear an unmistakable resemblance to projects like Uncharted or Mission: Impossible, as James Bond can be seen mowing through armies of armed guards by shooting at them and surrounding explosive barrels. Then, as the gunfire dies down, 007 finds himself hopping onto a moving plane before skydiving his way back to solid ground – without a parachute, of course.
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Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
