IO Interactive delays 007 First Light, with the Bond title now landing close to GTA 6’s old release date

007 First Light is one of 2026’s most anticipated titles, but developer IO Interactive has delayed the project from March 27 to May 27.

That’s right next to what would have been GTA 6’s planned release date on May 26, before Rockstar delayed it, and there’s every chance other games will move to fill that spot in the weeks to come.

For now, though, 007 First Light is delayed to allow for “further polish”, according to a statement on social media.

Hitman devs’ Bond game delayed for ‘further polish’

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), a statement from IO Interactive’s CEO, Hakan Abrak, said, “Hello everyone. Today, we are sharing an update regarding 007 First Light, as we have decided to move the game’s release by two months, to the 27th of May 2026.”

“007 First Light is our most ambitious project to date, and the team has been fully focused on delivering an unforgettable James Bond experience, bringing together breathtaking action, globe-trotting, spycraft, gadgets, car chases, and more. As an independent developer and publisher, this decision allows us to ensure the experience meets the level of quality you players deserve on day one.”

“The game is progressing well and is fully playable from beginning to end, so these additional two months will allow us to further polish and refine the experience, ensuring we deliver the strongest possible version at launch. We’re confident this sets 007 First Light up for long-term success, and we sincerely appreciate the patience and continued support we’ve received ever since we revealed the game. We look forward to sharing more updates regarding 007 First Light in early 2026.”

007: First Light has been in development since around 2021, after IO Interactive finished work on Hitman 3, which closed the book on the World of Assassination trilogy.

It’ll star a 26-year-old Bond learning to become an effective spy and working to earn his 00 status. At the Game Awards, it was revealed that Lenny Kravitz will play a new villain, Bawma, joining an ensemble cast that includes Lennie James, Gemma Chan, and Patrick Gibson.

For more from IO Interactive, check out our interview with writer Jen Simpkins about working on a crossover with Eminem for the latest Hitman Elusive Target mission.