If there is one thing modern gaming fans have learnt to live with, it is delays. Big games take time, expectations keep growing, and release dates often feel more like suggestions than promises. Few communities understand this better than fans waiting for GTA 6. Once lined up for a 2025 launch, Rockstar’s next blockbuster has slowly drifted further into the future, now expected to launch in November 2026. But until then, we will get a new AAA title that has also been much-awaited by fans across the globe. IO Interactive recently announced a delay in the 007 First Light launch schedule and it is now coming on May 27, 2026. For the unversed, this is the date when GTA 6 was initially supposed to launch.
Also read: Rockstar almost made a GTA game set in Japan: Here’s what happened next
007: First Light, the upcoming James Bond title from IO Interactive, has officially been delayed to 27 May 2026. The studio confirmed the shift in a recent social media update, explaining that while the game is fully playable from start to finish, the extra time will be used to polish and refine the overall experience. According to the developers, these additional two months are meant to ensure the strongest possible launch version, rather than signal deeper development trouble.
The new May 2026 release date is also interesting for another reason. It lines up closely with one of the earlier windows once associated with GTA VI, effectively allowing 007: First Light to occupy that high-profile slot. For players looking at their calendars, this turns what could have been a quiet period into a genuinely exciting one.
Set within the James Bond universe, 007: First Light tells an origin story focused on a much younger version of the iconic spy. Players will follow Bond as a talented but reckless recruit entering MI6’s training programme, long before the polished agent the world knows. The narrative leans into Bond’s early mistakes, moral tests, and defining moments, offering a more grounded look at how he earns his Double 0 status.
The role of James Bond is being played by Patrick Gibson, known for his work in Dexter: Original Sin and The OA. He is joined by Lenny Kravitz, who takes on the role of the main antagonist, Bawma. Both casting choices were revealed during The Game Awards 2025 and were met with strong reactions from fans.
The game’s first trailer was unveiled in June this year. This came years after its original announcement, which was back in 2020. The game was called Project 007 back then.
In September this year, Sony’s State of Play showcase gave fans an in-depth look at the game. The 30-minute long video showed Bond chasing agent 009 and breaking almost every rule to get to him. The internet was also quick to draw comparisons from the Hitman series, calling Bond’s world similar to that of Agent 47.
Also read: Steam Winter Sale 2025: Top 5 games to buy before the offer ends