The James Bond video game franchise is leaving the Daniel Craig era behind. Next week on May 27, 2026, developer IO Interactive is scheduled to launch 007 First Light across the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. The studio behind the modern Hitman trilogy is introducing a totally new continuity. They are dropping players into an origin story where a brash, 26-year-old Bond attempts to “Earn the Number” alongside franchise staples like M, Q, and Moneypenny.
An official countdown timer is currently live on developer IO Interactive’s website. The game is scheduled to unlock globally for all players at exactly 11:00 AM Eastern Time (ET) and 8:00 AM Pacific Time (PT). This synchronized global rollout means players will bypass the usual staggered regional midnight launches.
On the hardware front, the system requirements are surprisingly modest. PC players need only an Intel Core i5 9500K and an NVIDIA GTX 1660 as a baseline to run the game. Console performance scales up significantly, with the title confirmed to run at a smooth 60fps specifically on the PS5 Pro. A port for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled for later in the year.
The gameplay itself merges classic Hitman stealth mechanics with Uncharted-style action set pieces. However, this Rated Teen adventure carries a heavy caveat for offline players. Continuing a highly unpopular gaming industry trend, the title requires a mandatory one-time internet connection to verify the single-player campaign mode.