Analytic Dreamz: Notorious Mass Effect - "007 FIRST LIGHT IS IO INTERACTIVE'S FASTEST-SELLING TITLE TO DATE"

Episode Date: June 15, 2026

Linktree: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠⁠Join The Normandy For Ad-Free NME, Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠⁠ In this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, Analytic Dreamz delivers a detailed breakdown of 007 First Light (2026), IO Interactive’s groundbreaking single-player James Bond origin story. Released May 27, 2026, the game marks the first major standalone Bond title in over 14 years. Analytic Dreamz explores its Hitman-inspired stealth and infiltration systems, cinematic Uncharted-style action, gadget mechanics, “Licence to Kill” combat, and semi-open sandbox missions. The segment covers campaign length, replayability features including TacSim mode, full cast details with Patrick Gibson as a young James Bond, technical reception, and review scores (Metacritic 87-88, OpenCritic 89-90, IGN 9/10). Analytic Dreamz examines launch sales reaching 3 million copies in under two weeks, making it IO Interactive’s fastest-selling game ever, the reported $200 million budget, Year One roadmap, and future sequel potential with Amazon MGM Studios. A must-listen for fans of espionage games, narrative adventures, and the Bond franchise. Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Shepard, promise me you'll tell them to subscribe for free content. Now, ladies and gentlemen, excuse me if this comes off as 007 Gleys. Shepard. Nah, because they don't even know that this may be my favorite game of 2026. Shepard. You know what I'm saying? Just look at the state of gaming. Like, what is going on?

And as far as what's going on, ladies and gentlemen, this is going to be the cover of the gaming section of my episode. Of course, coming out soon as far as me covering the entire. gaming and music IPs that's notoriously affected in the masses more particularly for the month of May. Now, when it comes to Drake, is it okay? I got my dope on me. You know, we already cover that to a T. So now it's time to get into the gaming portion or the gaming cover of the month of May because I believe this is not only one of the most successful James Bond video games out the gate, but when it comes to I.O. Interactive, which is the developers for the specific game, It is the fasting selling game ever.

If you don't know, I.O. Interactive is known for a plethora of stealth games under the hitman umbrella. Of course, we get into that in the second, but starting with 007 First Light, the game of getting into as of right now, getting into the sales and review roundup. But then you come to realize that I've put a numerous, several amount of hours into this game. And that is why I said it's probably my favorite game of 20. As of right now, when it comes to the masses, this is I.O. Interactive's fastest selling game ever. Faster than any of the Hitman titles, because if you don't know, I.O. Interactive is known for the Hitman series. And of course, when it comes to them developing this particular game, not only is it blowing those games out of the water, you know, respectfully, of course,

but it sold 1.5 million copies within the first 24 to 48 hours, sold 2.7 million copies. during his first week, and of course, three million copies sold less than two weeks, confirmed by IEO Interactive CEO, Hakan Abrak. Hopefully I pronounced that right. So getting deeper into it has been estimated that this game in two weeks has generated around 150 million plus in revenue. Of course, PS5 lead, 55% followed by Steam as far as 33%

very strong in China. We'll get there in a second. And of course, Xbox follows as far as third. Because this particular game is on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC as far as Steam and Epic Game Store. Now, when it comes to the Switch version, ladies and gentlemen, the Nintendo Switch 2 version is scheduled for summer of 2026. Now, of course, you know, of course, you know, looking at my handy-dandy wrist watch, you know what I'm saying? It doesn't poison people and it doesn't shock people like in 007. But, you know, it still is pretty nice if I do. say so myself you know what I'm saying? My fault. Let me get back on subject.

So the main thing I was wanting to say, when it came to the Nintendo Switch scheduling for summer of 2026, I would say don't hold your breath because when it comes to these huge AAA games coming to the Switch platform, I don't know why they even tease us with the Switch port, but because they gave us an actual timeline, let's just hope they stick with it because technically it's summer. And it is the year of 2026. So it's in Iowa Interactive's court to see if they can be able to move the ball forward as far as that switch port. So now to get into the nitty-gritty details of the behind the scenes, because if you don't know, Amazon, ladies and gentlemen, you probably like Jeff Bezos.

How do you get into this equation? Apparently, Amazon acquired MGM, which is the James Bond IP rights after I.O. Interactive's deal for first light. So it's a very interesting scenario that usually when you overtake a company or when you buy out a company, I'm not going to say you have a clean slate and hire who you want. But usually that's what happens. So I think because of this game doing phenomenal as far as on every single platform, more specifically on Xbox, it's the third most play game on the platform. and the deluxe edition is the eighth most play game on the platform and then of course you have PlayStation where it's the sixth most play game on the platform and then of course when it comes to japan see if i can find this real quick when it comes to japan it debuted at number seven

and so uh four let me see 4388 copies during the week and when it comes to the lifetime japanese retail sales is reached 25 000 and 78 copies So safe to say, it's doing phenomenal everywhere. Even on Steam, surprisingly, as a single player game, it's still holding 11,000 players concurrently, a 24-hour peak of 21,000 in an all-time peak of 14 days ago, which is 71,000. Now, the reason why I bring up all these numbers is because, of course,

when it comes to Amazon acquiring MGM, which owns the James Bond IP rights, safe to say, they're probably going to look at their bottom line and say, you know what I wouldn't be mad if we start to give them more of that you know what I'm saying I mean

just look at the state of gaming come on now what is going on I know Amazon's looking at the state of gaming like you know what we should probably put out a sequel expeditiously as even when it comes to the development

of the sequel the I think the CEO came out let me see so basically when it comes to the sequel some let me see if I can find it Okay, here we go. Jeff Gaddis from, hopefully that says name right, from Amazon Games said, quote, seems like a sequel should be made.

Hmm. Riveting commentary. So he also suggested that as long as players demand remains strong, a future games are likely. And of course, I were interactive because, you know, they had to come out to cut and say, hey, please don't fire us. Now that you acquired the James Bond IP, hopefully he only. get rid of everybody who MGM hired as they they pled their case saying that I knew James Bond game would cost less because they already have the foundation set the gameplay mechanic loop etc they only have to add on to it right and that's basically what they said they said it would cost less it were

released faster and they could reuse technology and assets which of course when you look when you go to the board and present that it probably saying to themselves you know what you are right because this specific game, I-O-7 First Light, had a development reportedly of, as far as the cost, reportedly of $200 million. And of course it hasn't broke even yet, but come on now, two weeks, already $150 million plus revenue. At some point they're going to recoup because everybody is still clamoring

and playing this game and consuming this game at a breakneck pace. As now that you know you can just add on to the already foundational gameplay loop. And of course, IRO Interactive said it would cost less, release, fast, and reuse technology assets because they went on the same and went on to reveal the development cost for the hitman games. As in 2016, the first hip, well, yeah,

it was the first hitman generated around $78 million, which is insane, right? But it took 4.5 to five years to make. you guys see that's the problem and then you come to realize hitman two had 48 million dollars in revenue and it took 2.5 years as far as development time and then last but definitely not least you have hitman 3 that made a whopping 19 million but the development time was 20 months so this basically is a whole snapshot that they could send towards amazon's way showcasing that once they have the foundation built, hence Hitman in 2016, it took 4.5 to 5 years to make. Then they could fast track the other sequels because, of course, the foundation is already set and they're just adding upon it, which is why I read off the Hitman development times getting shorter and shorter over time.

Now, the whole revenue aspect, as far as, actually, I'm tripping. So that was the cost aspect. So Hitman 2016 cost $78 million. It took 4.5 to five years to make. Hitman 2 cost $48 million, took 2.5 years to make, and then Hitman 3 cost $19 million, and it took 20 months to make. So that is why in a, in totality, showing this to Amazon would probably make them inclined to continue the James Bond franchise because of the foundation already being said,

and they could build upon that. But of course, if you're a huge 007 fan, I'm probably preaching to the choir because you've already had a plethora of 007 games that you've enjoyed. One of the most popular being Golden Eye that came out in 1997 for the N64, which sold $8.1 million, the biggest by far as far as 007 games. And that brings me to my other point. I don't know what it is about the gaming community and female characters. You know what I'm saying?

No, because I got to get into it. For some reason, everybody was just insanely, upset that there was a female M character. If you don't know who M is, is basically the person that Bond takes orders from. I'm trying to get the actual name. It's an actual name was that spoiler. Hopefully it's not. I don't want to say the whole, well, I guess it was so it just goes by M. But anyways, so when it comes to 1962 to 1979, M was male and it was Bernard Lee as the gruff superior and judy dinch took over as the first female m in what 1995 you guys see that's the problem so are you telling me the most popular 007 video game also had a female em and nobody said

anything shepherd just look at the state of gaming like what is going on it's almost as if people are just making because this is a huge like you may just think i'm bringing it bringing it up of nowhere. This was actually, for some reason, a big deal to some of the communities in the, in the gaming community, which unfortunately, it got big enough to where I even had to address it, but a lot of people was upset. The M was a female, even though she's been to female for a majority at a time. And, of course, the biggest 007 game, it had a female M character. So I don't understand where that comes from, as far as the grifters and people just blatantly hating women. Like, I don't know how else to put it. So anyways, putting that to the side. Some of the other things

I wanted to get into for people who didn't even know that 007 First Light existed, is that this is like a quintessential James Bond origin story done right. While playing the game, I kid you not. I play a lot of games, of course, shameless plug, Analytic Dreams video, and just type in 007 First Light and my gameplay will pop up. I have like three parts of the gameplay right now. Actually, I think I could, let me see if I can find it. So just type this in right here.

Let me see. on analytic dreams video on Spotify here we go yeah so analytic dreams video on Spotify and you type this in and it will pop up so part 1 through 3 is already out and of course we're going to complete the game and I don't know how many parts it will take but part

1 through 3 is already up the reason why say that is because playing a plethora of games I started to realize that this may be my favorite tutorial of all time now of course I put Jedi which one's the second one is it Jedi Survivor

let me say Jedi Survivor I'll think it's that one yeah I put Jedi Survivor up there as far as one of the better tutorials but only because of the overall scope of what happened after you learn the tutorial when it comes to 007 that same thing happens and of course I'm not trying to like spoil anything because essentially if you look at Jedi Survivor you look at this game and yeah if I keep expounding I'm spoil it. So basically, the plot points are similar. The story beats is very similar to the tutorial and the crew you're surrounded with. So with that being said, the main thing I was want to get at was the tutorial being immaculent, the way they have you going through a James Bond origin story, but they don't stick too long with certain plot points. The pace is immaculent. The hitman style is

definitely there. But then, of course, once you get into the combat side of this game, I will say the environmental destruction. I've heard a lot of other expert gamers say that it's comparable to, I think it's called sleeping dogs. I've never played the game, so don't kill me. But it's been comparable to sleeping dogs as far as the environmental damage while fighting. So if you play that game, just know once you get into the physical aspect, you will definitely understand why people compare it to that. As of course, the question, the question. core gameplay loop is hitman style stealth and infiltration but the cinematics take it to a the cinematic elements in action takes it to a whole different level especially throughout the

game you feel like you're playing a movie but of course there's enough gameplay to make it feel so um it makes it feel like a video game versus a movie that you're just watching because some video games will have like 15 minute cutscenes with like one minute a gameplay this is a like the opposite. It will have certain scenes that play out like a movie, but then you get back into your stealth or action element where you get to control the character. Now, another thing that sets this apart is, of course, the driving sequences, the melee combat, I think is phenomenal. I love the Dodge mechanic for somebody trying to tackle you and somebody trying to hit you being different because it makes you think a little bit, not a lot. You know, it's not the most complex

melee mechanic in a system in the world. It's not a, it's not an elder ring. type melee build. But whenever you're fighting people, you definitely have to look out for that grab because I think that's going to be the main thing that trips up a lot of people because you're used to hitting one button to parry. You have to hit a completely different button if you want to get

out of the way of them trying to tackle you or grab you. So I think the grab is the thing that's going to trip people up the most. But anyways, so when it comes to the stealth and infiltration, there's multiple mission approaches. Of course, when it comes to there's a whole section where they basically they replicate everything as far as the environmental elements that you were in and you get to play through it again and that's the excuse

it's like a simulation and it's basically the excuse to have a hitman style of gameplay loop where it's way more i would say um difficult and that is the hitman side of 007 first light the main mission doesn't really give you that level of difficulty but the simulation does because it throws everything at you in environments that you've already been in when it comes to the main story. And they explain it pretty well. So when it comes to that, there's also a social stealth mechanic that I thought was phenomenal, especially the way you can get caught and talk your way out of it. But it's not a get out of jail like free card because there's certain scenarios where certain people can be bluff. So they're going to be like, why are you here?

You can't bluff them. So now you got to find some other way to get into that environment. because usually if you don't have the option to fight them, you just probably get kicked out of that specific area and you have to find your way back in. So I love the bluff system. I think that's phenomenal, especially as on to the James Bond charisma because this man, I'm not going to capture you.

This man be coming up with the most egregious ways to get around people. Like he would break down the door with his foot, right? And people would look around and he'll just be like, oh, I'm the door inspector. That one didn't make it. Like, hold on, now, what in the world? see that's the problem

and people would just go along with it like oh man I guess he's just a door inspector now my my measly 26 years of being on earth if somebody kicks down the door I'm not going to be like man well he said he was a door inspector so let me just let him be that's never going to happen but it's just hilarious

in the grand scheme of things and you come to realize that you can't take this game too seriously because it definitely has MCU type humor now of course before y'all kill me there's certain instances where there's life-threatening scenarios, right? And the jokes that they make in the midst of those life-threatening scenarios,

I don't know when the script was written and I don't know who was on the writing team. Overall, I think it was a phenomenal paced story because I still haven't beat the game yet. But I do, I've went through enough scenarios in this game to pinpoint very MCU-esque jokes when life-threatening situations is placed upon your main character. And that's not like a, you know, I'm not trying to be like a party poop. Like, man, why they're not just serious all the time? But come on, my brother. If a gun is at your face, if you're about to be eating by crocodiles, there's no way in the world that you're just out here making jokes. Surrounded about 30 different armed military guys. And you're just making like, well, get somebody

ammo. We're about to die, man. Any jokes you want to get off your chest? Well, you know, I do got a couple. Like, come on, man. Like, at some point, somebody got called out the MCU humor. So that's one of the things I quickly realized. I'm a huge Marvel fan. Like, y'all Marvel is like my cream of the crop. Like I love Marvel to the moon and back. But I have to point it out when it comes to stealth games, I feel like it's more serious. And maybe that's just me loving stealth games coming from a sandfisher type error

where, you know, as a little kid, I love playing the Splinter Cell games. And those type of MCU jokes didn't happen too often. So it threw me off. But this is definitely a different flavor of a stealth game. You're not supposed to take it too seriously. And of course, they can make jokes when they're about to literally die. And you're just supposed to be like, hey, you know, That's just how to cookie crumbles, I guess, for this game.

So it's not the biggest deal in the world, but definitely wanted to bring it up because I know a lot of people, they aren't really receptive to MCU type comedy. So I just wanted to warn you before you get into the game. Like, this game definitely doesn't take itself too seriously. So some of the gadgets that you use, because you know, you're a huge agent going throughout these environments. And, you know, the whole bond, the name's Bond, James Bond. I mean, that's a real thing throughout all of these missions. I mean, this man is doing the unthinkable. like what type of upper body strength does this man have so anyways enough glazing so some of the gadgets include a cue watch a phone a lighter pin gadgets and i'm not going to spoil all the gadgets but um let's just say you can make it very interesting especially when you enter in certain environments and you realize man i should have brought this gadget or i should brought that gadget i want to give you a hint on what the best gadget is because yeah i mean i guess it's subjective but for me certain gadgets definitely work

work the best. I found that the shock gadget, I think that comes from the watch, I think that's the best gadget by far. I think you can take out that slot and fill it with another one. I would not advise it at all. So anyways, but that means that I'm not going to spoil any other other best gadget bills. You know, it's not one of those type videos. For the people with 9 to 5s out there, just know that this game takes around 15 to 16 hours as far as the main story. As far as the fast play-through, meaning the Call of Duty-esque playthrough where no stealth is happening whatsoever.

That man just wants to run through the finish line. It would take you around 13 hours. And of course, there's a whole tax sim, that's what's called finally. The tax sim, which is the tactical simulation I was talking about earlier, if you play throughout that and actually want to complete it, it would probably take you around 25 to 30 hours.

I kid you're not. It's way more difficult than the actual main story. And it makes you feel like it's more hitman-esque, especially their type of enemies they throw at you in the tactical simulation. So, but that being said, there was something else I was wanting to get at as far as this game. Oh, yeah,

future content. So for all the people who play in 007, listen up. Hey, listen up now. Listen up because I got some things to read off. Now, if you love 007 First Light,

guess what? You end for a great awakening. You know, usually they say rude, but I'll say great. You feel me? All right, they get the point.

So basically, For 007, first light, it's a lot of new missions, new gadgets, new game mode plus, photo mode, additional challenges. And of course, when it comes to that, you know the Nintendo Switch 2 that they still say it's coming out in summer 2026 and it's already summer and it's 2026. All right, my bad. I ain't going to harken on that. So basically, the main thing you need to know is that new missions are coming, new gadgets are coming. So you're going to be thoroughly entertained even if you already beat the main story. And don't forget, when it comes to the tactical sim, it will take you,

much longer to complete those, in my opinion. So I'm very excited for the new missions and new gadgets. I think it would probably be similar to how IEO Interactive had hitman World of Assassination approach as far as the model of having a foundation and adding missions upon it. And that makes me feel like Amazon could get behind that fully, especially when you look at the revenue and how people are still playing the game until this day, because I believe the game came out a while ago.

see 007 first light release date let me see so 007 first light came out technically May 27 so where are we like three weeks in let me see so let me see one two okay so two weeks going on three weeks in and it's still topping all of the different platforms Xbox PlayStation we're not topping but in the midst of the top 10 on Xbox PlayStation it's not in the top 15 on Steam because of course those are like just those are just those are just having a lot of live service games in the top 15, but when it comes to 007 First Light, it still has a great foundation as far as 11,000 players concurrently playing on Steam in a 24-hour peak of 21,000. So essentially what I'm saying is when it comes to new missions and new gadgets,

I think once that number dips off a little bit, that's when we'll probably get new missions. And I think Amazon will be fully behind that because of the revenue already generated, and it already being IO Interactive's fastest selling game ever. So we already got into the sequel. Once again, Jeff Gaddis from Amazon Games did say, quote, seems like a sequel should be made. And he also suggested that as long as players demand remains strong, future games are likely. So that means that, said, there's some other thing I was going to get into as far as the review and sales roundup. We already got into the sales.

So let's get into the review roundups as IG gave this a whopping, nine out of ten. Saying, quote, would I want to a bond game? I know what I've wanted is a bond game that's confident and charismatic one that both ebbs patiently and peace violently demonstrably huh demonstrably obsessed demonstrably no it's definitely demonstrably yeah I love these reviews where they're typing it out so you know they're looking up these words like who in the word who uses that in a regular sentence demonstrably obsessed with bringing the bond fantasy to life in a way no one has ever managed before. 007 First Light is the best bond game I've ever played. First Light has his own

M, his own Q, and his own bond. And after playing it, I wouldn't have it any other way. And then of course, the Guardian gave in a perfect score of 5 out of 5 saying, quote, a triumphant James Bond game. Plenty of games have let us be a gun-toating version of

bond, but this is the first opportunity we've had to be a bond relaxing beside a glittering infinity pool in Vietnam or a bond trying to get one over on a shell game hustler very few fans get to play in the sandbox of the obsession like i.O. has here as far as bond video games go nobody has done it better. You know what I'm saying? Just look at the state of gaming like what is going on and then of course the round off the review Roundups. GameSpot gave this game an 8 out of 10 saying, quote, 007 First Light wisely repurposes what works in both universes,

but isn't afraid to reimagine or ditch those parts that don't. And of course, I did say that was Roundoff, so I think that's basically, let me see. Yeah, well, let's get into one more. VGC gives another perfect 5 out of 5 saying, quote, 007 First Light might just be the best James Bond game ever. an action game with naughty dog levels of spectacle and call-a-duty levels of big budget access garnished with the very best bits of hitman

and blend it like a cocktail of bond at its very best shaken, not stirred. You know what I'm saying? So it's safe to say, everybody's thoroughly enjoying this game. So all the 007 games in the past because I believe the first one, which was most successful one was in 1997 as far as golden eye 007 all the agent games that uh 07 agent

games that came after that i believe this is the main cream of the crop james bond experience that you could play through in a video game forum because it used to be golden eye as far as listening to the james bond audience but nowadays i think we could all say that what 007 first light is doing it's similar to what insomniac did with Spider-Man. They're basically making their version as distinct as possible and they had

immense success with it. And I think with that being said, Amazon would be a fool. They'll be absolutely inept if they do not continue this series through IEO Interactive. Even though they did acquire

MGM, I think if Amazon has found a way or if there is a way, Amazon would be able to find it as far as keeping IO interactive in a development loop of this game for the foreseeable future, as it is the greatest James Bond game of all time, in my opinion, and of course a lot of others as far as the mass is being considered. So with that being said, click my link to you in my bio to follow me on my social medias. And of course, if you're on Spotify, make sure to comment down below, what is your faith, no spoilers, but what is your favorite aspect of 007 first light?

and do you believe Amazon should let I.O. Interactive develop the next James Bond game.