Hitman developer IO Interactive, which has a new game--007: First Light--coming out in March 2026, has commented on Rockstar's decision to delay GTA 6 from May 2026 to November 2026.
IO CEO Hakan Abrak was asked by GI.biz if he feels pleased that GTA 6 moved further away from 007: First Light. "It would be a lie not to say that obviously spring looks really good," he said of 007: First Light's release window.
The game launches on March 27, which was about two months before GTA 6's May 26 release date before Rockstar pushed the game to November 19, 2026.
While Abrak may be relieved to know 007: First Light now has much more space between it and GTA 6, he said, "GTA 6 is a welcome thing for the industry." That's because, he said, GTA 6 could help bring lapsed gamers back, which could then help lift the industry overall.
"I do believe a lot of gamers who maybe haven't played for a while will get into things again, and generally for the industry as a whole, I think that will be amazing," he said.
GTA 6 is expected to be an enormous success, with one estimate saying it could sell 40 million copies and bring in more than $3 billion during its first year alone. Before this, Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot said something similar in that he's not afraid of GTA 6 because the game will amount to a rising tide lifting all ships. Not everyone is as optimistic, though. Industry expert Joost van Dreunen said it's "naive" to think that one big release like GTA 6 will help solve the industry's issues. "It won't," he said.
Also in the interview, Abrak confirmed that 007: First Light is "done," and is now playable from start to end. The team is spending time now polishing the experience and fixing bugs. "The whole game is done. It's been a long journey--six years almost--but I'm very proud that we are here," he said.
The executive also confirmed that IO funded 007: First Light totally by itself from the success of the Hitman series as opposed to taking external funding for it. The studio is, however, working with the 007 rights-holders on the project, but apparently not for funding purposes.
IO is also making a new multiplayer fantasy game, and Abrak teased that IO is "working with some partners" on this game, whatever it turns out to be. "But James Bond is fully funded by us. We are completely independent," he said.
Source
IO CEO Hakan Abrak was asked by GI.biz if he feels pleased that GTA 6 moved further away from 007: First Light. "It would be a lie not to say that obviously spring looks really good," he said of 007: First Light's release window.
The game launches on March 27, which was about two months before GTA 6's May 26 release date before Rockstar pushed the game to November 19, 2026.
While Abrak may be relieved to know 007: First Light now has much more space between it and GTA 6, he said, "GTA 6 is a welcome thing for the industry." That's because, he said, GTA 6 could help bring lapsed gamers back, which could then help lift the industry overall.
"I do believe a lot of gamers who maybe haven't played for a while will get into things again, and generally for the industry as a whole, I think that will be amazing," he said.
GTA 6 is expected to be an enormous success, with one estimate saying it could sell 40 million copies and bring in more than $3 billion during its first year alone. Before this, Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot said something similar in that he's not afraid of GTA 6 because the game will amount to a rising tide lifting all ships. Not everyone is as optimistic, though. Industry expert Joost van Dreunen said it's "naive" to think that one big release like GTA 6 will help solve the industry's issues. "It won't," he said.
007: First Light is done
Also in the interview, Abrak confirmed that 007: First Light is "done," and is now playable from start to end. The team is spending time now polishing the experience and fixing bugs. "The whole game is done. It's been a long journey--six years almost--but I'm very proud that we are here," he said.
The executive also confirmed that IO funded 007: First Light totally by itself from the success of the Hitman series as opposed to taking external funding for it. The studio is, however, working with the 007 rights-holders on the project, but apparently not for funding purposes.
IO is also making a new multiplayer fantasy game, and Abrak teased that IO is "working with some partners" on this game, whatever it turns out to be. "But James Bond is fully funded by us. We are completely independent," he said.
Source