IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak has discussed the upcoming Project 007 game again. In an interview with IGN, he openly said the goal is to make it a gaming franchise rather than a one-off project.
What’s exciting about that project is that we actually got to do an original story. So, it’s not a gamification of a movie. It’s completely beginning and becoming a story, hopefully for a big trilogy out there in the future. And equally important and exciting, it’s a new Bond. It’s a Bond we built from the ground up for gamers. It’s extremely exciting with all the tradition and all the history there is there together to work on this together with the family of creating a young Bond for gamers; a Bond that the gamers can call their own and grow with.
I don’t want to speak too big about it, but I just hope we’ll do a thing that will define James Bond in gaming for years to come. And that is not only one game, but that we create a universe for gamers to own for many years to come that we can grow with that next to the Bond on the movies.
Abrak also provided an update on development, saying that production at IO Interactive is going ‘amazingly well.’ That doesn’t tell us when we can expect to learn more, but it’s been nearly four years since the Project 007 announcement, and it might not be much longer until we get a proper trailer.
Meanwhile, IO Interactive has just signed an agreement with Build a Rocket Boy to publish MindsEye, the triple-A single player story-driven action/adventure game created with Everywhere’s engine. Abrak said:
We are honored to be the global publishing partner working with Build A Rocket Boy’s exceptionally talented team and to bring our community an exciting new IP. IO Interactive and Build A Rocket Boy are like-minded in how we aim to create a bond and a long-term relationship with our communities, which perfectly aligns with our commitment to delivering high-quality, immersive experiences to players worldwide. As our first publishing partnership, this marks a significant milestone for IO Interactive, and we could not be prouder of this collaboration.
Game Director Leslie Benzies, who produced GTA games from III to V at Rockstar, added:
From day one, Build A Rocket Boy Studios has been focused on creating the next generation of compelling gaming and quality entertainment experiences. We can’t wait to share our first AAA premium game and ever-evolving universe, MindsEye, with the world. There is no finer partner than IO Interactive to publish our first title, with their strong understanding of community culture, premium action-adventure games, and a best-in-class publishing team, we really look forward to partnering with them on our new blockbuster journey.
In MindsEye, players will become Jacob Diaz, a former soldier with a mysterious neural implant who suffers from memory loss and flashbacks. They will embark on a series of dangerous covert missions to unravel the secrets of Jacob’s past in a world filled with the constant threat of artificial intelligence, high-tech experimentation, corporate espionage, political corruption, and an unchecked military. According to the developer, they can expect complex narrative, rich environments, groundbreaking combat, futuristic technology, and high-speed chases. There’s no release date yet, but you can add it to your Steam wishlist.
