Project 007 is an upcoming James Bond video game in development by IO Interactive, the creators of the popular Hitman series. This highly-anticipated title aims to deliver the ultimate James Bond fantasy experience by letting players truly step into the shoes of the iconic spy.
As a new Bond game, Project 007 has lofty ambitions when it comes to pushing the boundaries of gameplay animation quality. IO Interactive is currently hiring new animators to join the development team and achieve their vision. Specifically, the studio is looking for a Cinematic Gameplay Animator, a Gameplay Animator, and a Facial Animator to bring Bond to life. Overall, IO Interactive has listed 22 open positions across multiple disciplines dedicated solely to Project 007.
While full details on Project 007 are still scarce, IO Interactive has revealed it will feature a wholly original Bond origin story rather than adapting existing films or novels. This presents an exciting blank canvas for the developers to introduce their interpretation of a young James Bond entering the world of espionage.
To aid the creation of Project 007 and future titles, IO Interactive has opened new studio locations in Istanbul and Brighton. However, their James Bond game is likely to be released much sooner compared to the developer’s other major project – an online fantasy RPG that remains years away from launch.
Despite being early in development, IO Interactive is already confident Project 007 will kickstart an ongoing Bond game series. Securing the 007 rights from owners of Eon Productions apparently required some persuasion, though. The rights-holders were hesitant to approve just another action-focused Bond shooter.
The most recent Bond titles – 2010’s Blood Stone and 2012’s 007 Legends – were both traditional action experiences inspired by the Daniel Craig films. 007 Legends, in particular, featured campaign levels directly based on classic Bond movies. However, these games received poor critical and commercial reception.
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IO Interactive had to convince Eon Productions they could deliver more than simply copying the formula of the legendary N64 Bond game Goldeneye. While hugely influential, Goldeneye focused predominantly on all-out action rather than staying faithful to the intellectual spycraft at the core of James Bond.
“Our impression was clearly that [at the time] they were not looking for a game,” said IO Interactive CEO and co-owner Hakan Abrak in an Edge magazine interview. “And I think it’s fair that they might not have been super-happy with some of the later games.”
Recognizing this, IO Interactive emphasized to Eon Productions their vision for capturing the full “agent fantasy” of being James Bond. Their pitch showcased the studio’s pedigree for making tense, stealth-focused gameplay centered on observation and infiltration, thanks to the renowned Hitman series. IO Interactive co-owner Christian Elverdam stated in the interview: “That [pitch] helped us convince the Eon Group that there’s a sophistication in how we treat the agent fantasy.”
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Overall, IO Interactive intends to minimize mindless violence in Project 007. Instead, combat will be reserved for key targets to enable players to sneak through levels unseen as a true secret agent. This aligns perfectly with Daniel Craig’s more gritty and realistic take on the Bond character in recent films. Hopefully, they can find a way to cater to those who sunk hours into the multiplayer shooter aspect of the original Goldeneye.
Project 007 is shaping up to be the ultimate James Bond video game experience. IO Interactive’s background in developing the Hitman games puts them in a perfect position to let players feel like the iconic spy. While the launch remains a ways off, the early details they’ve revealed about crafting their own unique Bond origin story are incredibly enticing for fans.
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