Amazon walks back comments about taking 007 off of IO, but does say ‘anything’s possible’ when it comes to buying the studio outright
July 25, 2026
Last month, Amazon Gaming stirred the pot when general manager Jeff Gattis hinted at the future of the 007 franchise following the successful launch of 007 First Light. His comments suggested that sequels might be developed by MGM and potentially by Amazon Game Studios, a notion that left many scratching their heads. The reception of IO Interactive’s Bond game had been largely positive, making the idea of pulling the project from the studio seem rather perplexing.
Clarifications from Amazon Gaming
In a recent conversation with GI.biz, Gattis took a step back to clarify the situation regarding the next installment in the Bond series. He stated, “We did not confirm anything about who’s publishing or developing the next Bond sequel… we haven’t even discussed it really yet. The game’s awesome. That’s great. I think it’s realistic to think that there would be a sequel.” This statement indicates that while the future remains uncertain, the enthusiasm for a sequel is palpable.
Gattis further acknowledged the success of the current game, suggesting that it would be prudent for IO Interactive to continue in the developer role. He emphasized, “Given the success of this one, I think you probably want IOI developing it.” This sentiment aligns with earlier remarks about Amazon’s ownership of the game’s rights, where he reassured that the company is committed to doing what is best for the franchise rather than hastily bringing everything in-house.
However, Gattis did not completely rule out the possibility of Amazon acquiring IO Interactive, stating that “anything’s possible,” though he noted there are “no conversations about that right now.” Given IOI’s tumultuous history as a subsidiary of Square Enix, it seems unlikely they would be eager to enter into a new ownership arrangement. Yet, with Amazon’s substantial financial resources, the landscape could shift unexpectedly.
As the gaming community watches closely, the future of the 007 franchise remains an intriguing topic, with potential developments that could reshape the landscape of gaming partnerships and ownership.
Amazon walks back comments about taking 007 off of IO, but does say ‘anything’s possible’ when it comes to buying the studio outright
Last month, Amazon Gaming stirred the pot when general manager Jeff Gattis hinted at the future of the 007 franchise following the successful launch of 007 First Light. His comments suggested that sequels might be developed by MGM and potentially by Amazon Game Studios, a notion that left many scratching their heads. The reception of IO Interactive’s Bond game had been largely positive, making the idea of pulling the project from the studio seem rather perplexing.
Clarifications from Amazon Gaming
In a recent conversation with GI.biz, Gattis took a step back to clarify the situation regarding the next installment in the Bond series. He stated, “We did not confirm anything about who’s publishing or developing the next Bond sequel… we haven’t even discussed it really yet. The game’s awesome. That’s great. I think it’s realistic to think that there would be a sequel.” This statement indicates that while the future remains uncertain, the enthusiasm for a sequel is palpable.
Gattis further acknowledged the success of the current game, suggesting that it would be prudent for IO Interactive to continue in the developer role. He emphasized, “Given the success of this one, I think you probably want IOI developing it.” This sentiment aligns with earlier remarks about Amazon’s ownership of the game’s rights, where he reassured that the company is committed to doing what is best for the franchise rather than hastily bringing everything in-house.
However, Gattis did not completely rule out the possibility of Amazon acquiring IO Interactive, stating that “anything’s possible,” though he noted there are “no conversations about that right now.” Given IOI’s tumultuous history as a subsidiary of Square Enix, it seems unlikely they would be eager to enter into a new ownership arrangement. Yet, with Amazon’s substantial financial resources, the landscape could shift unexpectedly.
As the gaming community watches closely, the future of the 007 franchise remains an intriguing topic, with potential developments that could reshape the landscape of gaming partnerships and ownership.