Amazon Takes the Wheel for Future James Bond Games, Leaving IO Interactive on Development Duty
Big news, Bond fans! The future of 007 gaming is shifting gears as Amazon and MGM have taken the lead on publishing the next sequels to 007 First Light. In a recent chat with some gaming insiders, Jeff Gattis, the head honcho of gaming at Amazon, revealed that Amazon Game Studios will be the ones calling the shots for the upcoming James Bond games.
Gattis clarified, “We didn’t create First Light. We do have a stake in it because we now own the IP, but that acquisition came after IO Interactive had already struck their deal.” It’s important to understand the background here: IO Interactive had the freedom to self-publish First Light, much like they did with Hitman 3, when the Bond series was still under the management of MGM and EON Productions.
However, everything changed when Amazon swooped in and acquired MGM in 2021—just a year after the game was announced. By 2025, they gained full creative reins over the Bond franchise. Although Amazon and MGM worked closely on 007 First Light to ensure it matched the Bond legacy, it looks like Amazon will flex more of its muscles in future projects.
Gattis mentioned that sequels to the game will be crafted by MGM and, ideally, Amazon Game Studios. This means that while IO Interactive will keep its role as the developer, Amazon will be financially invested, giving them a louder voice in the game’s direction. Gattis also hinted at Amazon’s ambition to create synergy between their gaming ventures and their film and TV productions. This crossover is incredibly relevant with the new James Bond movie on the horizon.
“We see this as a fantastic opportunity to expand our IP by linking it to TV shows and movies,” Gattis added. “For instance, there’ll be a Tomb Raider series on Prime Video that goes hand-in-hand with the games.”
As for the future of 007 games, it’s looking bright. 007 First Light has already sold a whopping 1.5 million copies within the first day of release, and IO Interactive has made it clear they’re eager to dive into a sequel, teasing fans with a title card that boldly proclaimed, “James Bond will return.” They’ve even expressed ambitions for a trilogy of Bond titles!
Critics are all aboard this Bond train as well, with one review scoring First Light a stellar 9 out of 10, praising it for encapsulating the Bond experience like never before. It seems our favorite secret agent is set for a thrilling ride ahead, and we can’t wait to see where this partnership takes him!