007: First Light, the newest gaming outing of James Bond from developer IO Interactive, has premiered to a strong start. The title has hit 1.5 million copies within its first (light) 24 hours of sales. This number makes 007: First Light the best-selling game in IO Interactive’s nearly 3-decade history, outpacing every game in the studio’s flagship Hitman series in the first 24 hours. This number, which is impressive in its own right, was also achieved without the Nintendo Switch 2 version, which the studio delayed till later this summer.
In a statement from IOI, the developer said:
The milestone of 1.5 million units sold in 24 hours reflects overwhelming global enthusiasm for 007 First Light and represents a significant achievement for IO Interactive. With an 88 OpenCritic rating and 87 Metacritic score, 007 First Light has been embraced by both critics and players alike, already establishing itself as one of 2026’s most successful gaming releases. The sales recorded across all platforms underscore the game’s broad appeal and the successful execution of IO Interactive’s vision to honor Bond’s legacy in gaming.
Rhys Elliott, the head of market Analysis at Alinea Analystics, added to this, stating that the title has sold around 500,000 copies on the Steam platform alone, generating an estimated $25 million in revenue for the developer. Elliot stated on this:
The Steam performance really stood out for this one,” Elliott said. “It’s the latest example of a traditionally ‘console’ game doing fantastic numbers on Steam.
He continued by saying:
For Amazon, which owns the Bond rights and licensed IOI to make this game, the early signs are bloody good. The franchise hasn’t had a quality adaptation in decades, and IOI has now delivered one that looks like a serious commercial proposition.
These early sales for the title, coupled with great reviews, are a good indicator of how sales might continue for the game. Other titles like Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem saw strong early sales that have continued, with the latter managing to become the Fastest-selling game in the series. While 007: First Light is a new series, the franchise around super spy James Bond stretches back to 1953 with the release of Casino Royale, written by Ian Fleming. So it stands to reason that the IP would have visibility.
IO Interactive has stated that, regardless of the success of 007: First Light, there are plans to return to development on a new Hitman game at some point in time. This newest game is also intended as the entry point to a new franchise under the developer. Estimates have placed the cost of this new James Bond title at around $200 Million, which these sales figures suggest it is well on its way to reaching.
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