The new James Bond game is in very capable hands. Its developers, the masterminds behind Hitman, assure that the project is moving full steam ahead. The transition to “Project 007” feels so seamless that IO Interactive has had little trouble shifting its mindset.

Although Agent 47 captured our hearts with his bald figure, nothing lasts forever. IO Interactive managed to elevate Hitman to the same level of popularity as when the license was first born, and after concluding the saga with Hitman 3, James Bond will be their next major protagonist. Though Project 007 is still in the works and doesn’t seem close to release, Veronique Lallier, development director at the studio, confirms that work is progressing at a good pace because, in essence, the world of the British spy feels completely “organic” for the studio.

In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, Lallier expressed her excitement for the new project, highlighting that Project 007 will be an original, untold story for James Bond, moving away from any direct adaptations of the existing films. “It’s going to be a really cool, amazing project. I’m really excited about it,” Lallier said. Although she stayed away from any major details about the game, she did focus on how the concept of 007 and Hitman are so similar that the team has had little trouble shifting their mindset for this new development.

In this context, Lallier explained that the transition to this project was smooth, as the studio has vast experience in creating stories about agents and espionage, making the James Bond game a logical extension of their previous work. “If you look at what we’ve done in the past with Hitman, 007 seems natural to us because we’ve done, you know, stories about agents working in the shadows. So that makes perfect sense,” she explained.

The Studio’s Close Collaboration with the 007 Rights Holder

A crucial aspect of a studio’s success, according to Lallier, is not imposing a set intellectual property on developers but rather listening to the team and finding out what they want to work on. This approach was instrumental for Project 007, as the idea resonated deeply with the team at IO Interactive, who feel honored and excited to be working on such a prestigious IP.

In addition to internal motivation, the collaboration with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), the rights holder of James Bond, has been a key factor. Lallier highlighted the excellent relationship they have developed with MGM, which augurs well for a smooth and successful development. “It is a great honor to be able to work on an intellectual property of this kind, and we have an incredible relationship with our partner MGM,” she added.

While Lallier couldn’t reveal many details about the game, she made it clear that the team is thoroughly enjoying the development process and that they are looking forward to sharing more information in the future. IO Interactive’s new chapter with Project 007 promises to be an exciting addition to the James Bond legacy in our industry.