On September 3, 2025, Sony and IO Interactive closed the September State of Play with more than 30 minutes of gameplay from 007 First Light, confirming Patrick Gibson as James Bond and a firm release date of March 27, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
Key Takeaways
- IO showed 30+ minutes of gameplay for 007 First Light during the September 2025 State of Play.
- Patrick Gibson was confirmed as the voice/face of James Bond in the game.
- The game launches March 27, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
- Gameplay mixes Hitman‑style environmental stealth with cinematic gunplay and vehicle sequences.
- Playable gadgets shown include a smoke device and a watch scanner; climbing and environmental distractions feature heavily.
- Supporting cast announced: Lennie James (Greenway), Priyanga Burford (M), Alastair Mackenzie (Q), Kiera Lester (Moneypenny), Noémie Nakai (Ms. Roth).
- Segments shown include car chases, large shootouts with explosive set pieces, and a sequence that ends with a plane jump and a skydive moment.
Verified Facts
IO Interactive used its State of Play slot to present extended gameplay that highlights the origin period of James Bond within MI6. The presentation emphasized player choice, balancing stealth approaches—using cover, distractions and gadgets—with full‑on cinematic combat when stealth fails.
The studio confirmed an exact release date: March 27, 2026. Platforms named were PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. This narrows the previous 2026 window to a specific day, putting launch a little more than six months out from the September presentation.
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| James Bond | Patrick Gibson |
| Greenway | Lennie James |
| M | Priyanga Burford |
| Q | Alastair Mackenzie |
| Moneypenny | Kiera Lester |
| Ms. Roth | Noémie Nakai |
Gameplay clips showed a variety of mission types: infiltration and tailing sequences that reward improvisation, vehicle pursuit segments with stuntable moments, and large encounters that resemble action set pieces from franchises like Uncharted or Mission: Impossible.
Context & Impact
IO Interactive is best known for Hitman, a series built around sandbox stealth and creative problem solving. That pedigree shaped 007 First Light’s design pitch: systems that let players exploit environments and NPC routines, while still supporting direct combat scenarios.
The March 2026 date positions 007 First Light for the spring release window, a period with fewer AAA launches than the holiday season. Releasing across both current‑generation consoles and Nintendo Switch 2 could broaden the game’s audience, but performance and feature parity will be watched closely.
For IO, a successful Bond title would expand the studio’s profile beyond Hitman and validate its approach to narrative‑driven, mission‑based stealth-action. For franchise fans, the game aims to deliver an early-career Bond origin story that blends espionage and spectacle.
Patrick Gibson appeared during State of Play to confirm he will portray James Bond in 007 First Light, and IO revealed the March 27, 2026 release date.
State of Play / IO Interactive
Unconfirmed
- Whether 007 First Light will include multiplayer or live-service components has not been announced.
- Exact PC system requirements and Nintendo Switch 2 performance targets were not disclosed.
- Some dramatic moments shown (for example, the plane jump and parachute‑less skydive) could be scripted cinematic beats rather than fully player‑driven mechanics.
Bottom Line
IO Interactive’s State of Play segment clarified the roadmap for 007 First Light: a defined release date, a lead actor, and a gameplay blend that draws on Hitman’s systems while leaning into blockbuster action. The next six months will reveal pre‑order details, editions, and technical specifics ahead of the March 27, 2026 launch.