Young Bond Trilogy Planned by Hitman Devs

IO Interactive has finally unveiled more details about their highly anticipated game, Project 007. Read on to discover more about this exciting new title based on the iconic spy, James Bond.

A Younger James Bond Takes Center Stage in Project 007

IO Interactive's Ambitious Trilogy Plan for Project 007

The creators of the acclaimed Hitman series, IO Interactive, are tackling one of cinema's most legendary figures: James Bond. Their upcoming game, Project 007, is envisioned as more than a single adventure. In a recent interview, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak revealed his vision for Project 007 as the launchpad for a brand-new trilogy, revitalizing the Bond universe for a new generation of players.

Since the November 19, 2020 announcement, excitement has been building around how the stealth and espionage masters at IO Interactive would translate their expertise to a Bond game. Speaking with IGN on October 16, Abrak hinted that development is progressing exceptionally well and will introduce players to a younger Bond—before he achieved his iconic 00 status.

"The exciting aspect is creating an original story," Abrak shared with IGN. "With such rich tradition and history… to collaborate on this and create a young Bond for gamers; a Bond gamers can own and grow with, is incredible."

Abrak emphasized the studio's over two-decade preparation for this project. IO Interactive's Hitman games are renowned for their immersive, stealth-focused gameplay, and Project 007 will undoubtedly leverage these strengths.

However, James Bond presents a unique challenge. As Abrak stated, this marks IO Interactive's first collaboration on an external intellectual property (IP), unlike their in-house creations. "James Bond is a massive IP. It's not ours… I hope we create something that defines James Bond in gaming for years to come," Abrak said, adding that the goal is to build "a universe for gamers to own for many years, growing alongside the Bond in the films."

Abrak's ambitions extend beyond a single game. He envisions Project 007 as the cornerstone of a trilogy. "It's not a movie adaptation," Abrak clarified. "It's a completely original story, hopefully the start of a major trilogy." This reflects the success of IO Interactive's Hitman series, which followed Agent 47 across the globe in three critically acclaimed installments.

What We Know About Project 007

Project 007 Story

While Project 007's narrative remains shrouded in secrecy, key details have emerged. The official website confirms "a wholly original Bond story," where "players will become the world’s favorite Secret Agent, earning their 00 status in the first-ever James Bond origin story."

As confirmed in the IGN interview, the game will be unconnected to any of the actors who have portrayed Bond on screen. In a 2023 interview with Edge Magazine, Abrak mentioned this Bond will have "a tone closer to Daniel Craig than Roger Moore." Project 007 will depict a much younger James Bond, during his early days as a secret agent—before his transformation into the sophisticated spy we know.

Project 007 Gameplay

Specific gameplay details remain scarce, except for Abrak's comments to Edge Magazine in 2023: "Hints from the office suggest… a more scripted experience than Hitman's freeform gameplay," Abrak revealed. "It’s been described as ‘the ultimate spycraft fantasy,’ suggesting gadgets—and perhaps a departure from Agent 47's lethal objectives."

The game will likely be a third-person action title, as indicated by IO Interactive job listings. According to PlayStation Universe, July 2021 listings highlighted a focus on "sandbox storytelling" and "cutting-edge AI," suggesting a dynamic, open-ended mission approach similar to the Hitman series.

Project 007 Release Date

A release date remains unannounced, but anticipation is high, especially with IO Interactive's positive development updates. Even Abrak expressed his excitement, telling IGN, "I don’t have an update today, but believe me, I’m eager to share more soon… It was a small teaser, limited information, but exciting things are coming. We’re incredibly excited, and we’ll share more when ready."