Amazon will publish whatever 007 First Light sequels there may be, as it muscles in on IO Interactive’s operation as new owner of James Bond

Amazon has taken a more direct role in controlling the future of James Bond video games following the massive success of 007: First Light. The game, developed and self-published by IO Interactive, launched on May 27 and sold over 1.5 million copies within 24 hours, with recent reports suggesting sales have now exceeded 2 million.

The shift stems from Amazon’s 2022 acquisition of MGM Holdings, which owns the James Bond intellectual property. When IO Interactive announced Project 007 in November 2020 and subsequently signed a deal to develop and self-publish the game, Amazon was not yet involved with the Bond franchise. However, Amazon’s later MGM acquisition granted the company control over future James Bond media, including video games.

Initially, Amazon Games general manager Jeff Gattis suggested that sequels to First Light would be developed and published “by MGM and, theoretically, by Amazon Game Studios,” implying IO Interactive might not retain its role in future Bond projects. This sparked confusion about whether the acclaimed developer would be sidelined.

Amazon subsequently issued a clarification statement, emphasizing that it maintains “a great relationship with IO Interactive” and expressing pride in their collaboration on First Light. The company stated that “Amazon MGM holds the rights to any future James Bond video games but it’s still too early to discuss future projects,” effectively walking back implications that IO would be excluded from future titles. Whether IO Interactive will continue developing Bond games remains unconfirmed.

Sources

• Amazon will publish whatever 007 First Light sequels there may be, as it muscles in on IO Interactive’s operation as new owner of James Bond
• Amazon suggests IO Interactive might not return for 007 First Light sequel
• MGM and Amazon Game Studios to publish future IO Interactive James Bond titles
• 007: First Light Sequel Could Include A Major Behind-The-Scenes Change
• Amazon Says It’s ‘Too Early To Discuss’ Future 007 Titles
• ‘We have a great relationship with IO Interactive,’ Amazon says, but it won’t commit to bringing the studio back for future Bond games
• Widespread Confusion Forces Amazon to Make Statement About Future James Bond Games
• 007 First Light sequels will be helmed “by MGM and, theoretically, by Amazon Game Studios”, as the corp look to be taking more direct control over his Bondliness
• Future 007 games will be ‘theoretically’ published by Amazon Game Studios, not IO Interactive
• “Too early to say” as Amazon walks back comments that implied IOI might not return for the 007 sequel