Hakan Abrak, the CEO of IO Interactive, is set to speak about the development of "007 First Light" at the Game Republic New Horizons 2026 event

Hakan Abrak, CEO of IO Interactive and the game director for the James Bond title 007 First Light, is set to lead a session at Game Republic New Horizons. At the event, Abrak will delve into the creation of First Light, which has become the studio's fastest-selling game, surpassing four million copies in just three months. A release for the Nintendo Switch 2 is anticipated in late 2026.

Abrak expressed his enthusiasm for attending the conference, describing it as a dream project for IO Interactive. "It's truly exhilarating to be part of Game Republic New Horizons and to discuss a project that has been a dream for IO Interactive," Abrak remarked.

Jamie Sefton, the managing director of Game Republic, expressed his excitement about Abrak's session, citing his long-standing admiration for the James Bond franchise. He stated: "As a devoted James Bond fan, it is a tremendous honor to welcome Hakan and IO Interactive to the conference. I'm eager to discover more about the development of 007 First Light and the effort behind bringing such an iconic character to life."

Abrak is among several seasoned professionals set to appear at the event. Other notable speakers include Ken Kutaragi, Rebecca Lautner from Landfall, and a panel titled "Hype-free Assessment of AI in Games," featuring Tommy Thompson, Duyguy Cakmak, and Matthias Siemonsmeier.

The conference will also offer a session in the Investor Zone, featuring Tencent's Teddy Keefe, alongside a discussion panel, "Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment," with contributions from Nick Button-Brown, Tracy McGarrigan, and Ian Masters.

In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Abrak talked about the game's commercial triumph, noting that full financial recovery has not yet been reached due to existing partnerships and royalty arrangements. "While repayment hasn't been complete, the success far exceeds our aspirations. It stands to be a monumental accomplishment for us," he explained.

Discussions continue with Amazon, the Bond franchise owner, concerning the future of the series, with both organizations focusing on 007 First Light for the time being. "Future plans between Amazon and IOI will be disclosed in the coming times," Abrak hinted.

Mark your calendars for Game Republic New Horizons, scheduled at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium from October 14 to 16.

GameIndustry.biz is a media partner for GR New Horizons 2026.