007 First Light goes gold and pre-orders open

007 First Light, the latest addition to the James Bond video game franchise, has officially gone gold. That means development on the game is largely complete and it is now ready to ship. The release date is set for 27 May 2026.

Details on development and release

IO Interactive, the developer and publisher of 007 First Light, has announced that the game has reached gold status. This means further delays are unlikely, although patches may still be released on launch day. Reaching gold is considered a major milestone in game development, but the team will no doubt continue working on support updates and possible expansions.

At launch, players can expect a playtime of around 20 hours, depending on their playstyle. IO Interactive has already shown the game to a select group of players, who gave positive feedback on the variety of gameplay and challenges.

Pre-orders and special offers

Pre-orders for 007 First Light are now open, with a free upgrade to the Deluxe Edition available for those who order early. These offers are available until the game launches and include a range of new skins, such as the Day of the Dead Outfit and the Desert Explorer Outfit.

Performance and quality

After some concerns about 007 First Light’s performance earlier this year, IO Interactive has confirmed that the game will run at 60fps on PS5 Pro and also in performance mode on the base PS5. A quality mode is also available, offering higher graphical settings but a 30fps frame rate. There has not yet been an official statement on performance for Xbox Series X or S, though similar performance is expected.

With the expected release date of 27 May 2026, the hype around 007 First Light appears to be growing. It brings new life to the franchise with a renewed focus on action and adventure. As players prepare to step into the world of James Bond, it remains to be seen how the game will be received at launch.